Nestled on the border between England and Wales, Hay-on-Wye is a market town and community in Powys, Wales. Best known for its literary heritage, breathtaking countryside, and strong sense of community. Famous for the Hay Festival of Literature & Arts, it has earned the noticeable title of the “Town of Books,” attracting visitors, creatives, and property buyers alike.
If you’re considering buying property in Hay-on-Wye or simply wondering, “Is Hay-on-Wye a good place to live?”, this guide explores everything from property prices and investment opportunities, to things to do, places to visit near Hay-on-Wye, the best places to eat and drink, and more.
Lets found out what makes Hay-on-Wye an attractive place to reside in, and the reasons why you might want to choose Hay-on-Wye as a place to call home.
Where is Hay-on-Wye? Is it in England or Wales?
Hay-on-Wye, or ‘Y Gelli Gandryll’ as it’s known in Welsh, sits on the England-Wales border, but is officially part of Powys, Wales, in the county of Brecknockshire. The town is just a stone’s throw from Herefordshire and serves as a gateway to the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park (now known as Bannau Brycheiniog).
Despite being in Wales, the town has strong English influences, and both Welsh and English speakers live here. As of the 2021 census, 1,675 people live in this town.
Its unique location, on the south-east bank of the River Wye, is said to be the ideal base for exploring the northern Black Mountains. It also means that residents can enjoy the best of both worlds – a peaceful Welsh countryside setting with easy access to major English cities like Hereford, Bristol, and Birmingham across the English border.
Is Hay-on-Wye a Good Place to Live?
With its picturesque setting, thriving arts and literary scene, and independent spirit, Hay-on-Wye is an excellent place to live for families, retirees, and professionals alike. It’s easy to see why it has officially been named as one of the best places to live in Wales, and one of the UK’s best Christmas destinations. This is a town that offers a perfect blend of outdoor activities and adventures and the creative freedom to express yourself.
Hay-on-Wye is very appealing to renters, and this is due to its creative community spirit and peacful countryside living. It tends to be typically more affordable compared to other major towns or cities, whilst still providing all of the balanced living that renters are seeking.
There is a number of educational institutions here too, ensuring families, and those looking to start a family moving to the area, have access to some very good schools for their children. The Hay-on-Wye primary school has a very strong reputation, whilst neighbouring areas provide some great secondary education opportunities.
Reasons to Live in Hay-on-Wye:
- A Close-Knit Community: Hay-on-Wye has a welcoming and creative atmosphere, making it easy to connect with locals. The town is home to writers, artists, and entrepreneurs so had a very strong and inclusive literary culture, uniting both writers and readers.
- Surrounded by Natural Beauty: The picturesque landscape offers immediate access to the River Wye, as well as hiking trails in the Brecon Beacons, and of course the beautiful rolling countryside views. It’s a haven for outdoor lovers and those seeking adventure. There is a range of popular picnic spots, and if you’re up for braving the elements, some great swimming and kayaking opportunities. Plenty of extensive walking and hiking trails provides the residents with tons of natural beauty exploration.
- Great Local Amenities: Despite its small size, Hay-on-Wye has independent shops and boutiques, antique stores, excellent restaurants, a regular food market, and essential services like a post office, GP surgery and dental practices, and local schools.
- A Hub for Literature & Culture: With roughly twenty book stores, making it popular with literary individuals, this town attracts world-renowned authors, poets, and artists each year at The Hay Festival of Literature & Arts. There are several events throughout the year, from food festivals, vintage fairs, and more, all adding to the colourful and creative community.
- Affordable Property Prices: Compared to larger cities, houses in Hay-on-Wye offer better value for money, making it a great option for first-time buyers, families, and property investors. The average property price was £318,817 over the last 12 months, and the average rent for property in Hay-on-Wye was £1,005 per month.
Places to Visit Near Hay-on-Wye
Situated at the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, Hay-on-Wye has such a vast selection of outdoor activities to get involved in. From canoeing on the River Wye, the horse riding, cycling some of the many trails throughout the picturesque landscapes, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, archery, paintballing, and so much more.
You can plan your days out exploring the Brecon Beacons National Park, and can spend a couple of hours to a full day, or even longer, in one of the areas many wonders. The natural and stunning backdrops of both the Breacon Beacons and Herefordshire offers so much for families and adventurous people.
If you want to explore beyond the town of Hay-on-Wye, there are plenty of places to visit:
- Brecon Beacons National Park – A paradise for walkers, cyclists, and nature lovers. Explore the landscape, churches, castles, canals, and historic settlements in one of the most beautiful and natural landscapes in the UK.
- Llanthony Priory & Gospel Pass – Stunning 900 year old historic ruins with incredible views over the Black Mountains.
- Kington & Hereford – Charming market towns with independent shops and cafés. Looking to live in Hereford? Check out our Living in Hereford Guide.
- Cardiff City – The capital and largest city of Wales with a population of 372,089. Explore some of the city’s famous landmarks, including Cardiff Castle and The Pierhead.
- The Warren at Hay – A riverside meadow designated an area of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) in Wales. Kingfishers, otters, and rabbits can all be spotted in this beautiful natural meadow.
What Amenities Does Hay-on-Wye Have?
As we’ve mentioned, Hay-on-Wye is small, although, despite this, there is something for everyone. The high street has many independent boutiques, antique shops, a range of stores selling locally created craft, and not to forget, the 20 different book stores across the town.
Each Thursday the Hay Market Day takes place, showcasing some of the local artisans selling a vairty of products and produce from handmade jewlery, fresh meat, homemade bread, fish, arts, beauty products, and of course, secondhand books. Each stall shows the level of creativity of the local community that thrives here.
Hay Deli provides local organic Welsh and Herefordshire produce, from bread, wholefoods, meat and fish, and fruit and vegetables.
The town, although small, does have its own medical centre. The Hay Medical Centre is open five days a week, with Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30am to 6:30pm, and Tuesday and Wednesday from 8am to 1pm.
Whilst there are no major shopping centres in Hay-on-Wye, the local retailers and independent stores are able to provide everything you’ll need should you choose to live here.
Transport Links in Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye does not have a train station, but there is access to a network of bus services throughout the town and surrounding areas. The local buses, 39A and the T14 connect to other towns and villages in Powys, such as Hereford, and Brecon. As this is a small town, you will need to plan accordingly as the bus services are less frequent than larger towns and cities.
Nearest Train Stations in Hay-on-Wye:
- Hereford Station (20 miles away) – Direct services to London, Birmingham, and Cardiff. Roughly a 31 minute drive via the A438. By bus you can get the T14 from Hay Castle, taking just over 1 hour.
- Abergavenny Station (26 miles away) – Another option for South Wales and Midlands routes. By car this station is around 50 minutes away, and by bus the T14 takes approxiamtely 2 hours in total.
Buses & Public Transport in Hay-on-Wye:
- Regular buses serve the area, with the 39A and the T14 connecting Hay-on-Wye to Hereford, Brecon, and Cardiff.
Road Access in Hay-on-Wye:
- The A438, A470, B4350, B4351 and B4348 all provide convenient routes to Herefordshire, Brecon, South Wales and to Birmingham, taking you through the M5.
- Driving to Cardiff takes around 1.5 hours, taking you via the A470, while Bristol is just over 2 hours away, through the M4 and A449.
Property Prices in Hay-on-Wye: How Much Are Houses & Flats?
Hay-on-Wye has a range of property types, from charming and traditional cosy stone cottages and historic townhouses to modern countryside retreats and modern apartments. The characteristics of the properties make Hay-on-Wye an incredibly popular property investment opportunity.
If you’re considering property investment in Hay-on-Wye, the market remains affordable compared to nearby cities but is steadily growing in demand. Over the past 12 months the average sales price of property in Hay-on-Wye was £318,817. 4% of sales over this period were flats, achieving an average of £178,642.
Average Property Prices in Hay-on-Wye:
Detached houses: £431,767
Semi-detached houses: £275,143
Flats: £178,642
Terraced: £224,837
Average Rent Prices in Hay-on-Wye:
Over the past 12 month period, the average rent in Hay-on-Wye was £1,005 per month. This is a –6% change on the previous 12 month period. 25% of homes let in this period were flats, with an average rental value of £595 per month, with houses achieving an average rent of £1,043.
Detached rented homes: £1,210
Semi-detached rented homes: £650
Terraced rented homes: £925
Rented Flats: £595
Thinking of buying or selling property in Hay-on-Wye wit Chancellors? Reach out to our local Hay-on-Wye estate agents branch for a free property valuation.
Where to Eat & Drink in Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye has a thriving food scene, with excellent restaurants, cafés, and a local food market.
Top Places to Eat in Hay-on-Wye:
- The Old Black Lion: An award winning AA Rosette fine dining restaurant and 17th Century Inn that prides itself on using loal ingredients.
- Tomatitos Tapas Bar: An authentic Spanish tapas restaurant in a cosy setting using local ingredidents. Serving up patatas bravas at a very reasonable price. Sit down and enjoy one of their Spanish beers or wines.
- The Salad Project: A vegan and vegetarian friendly restaurant identified as one of the best places to get a quick bite at such an affordable prices that they sell out each day.
- The Cosy Cafe: A lovely cafe to enjoy amazing coffee with some tasty cakes and incredible breakfast options.
Thinking of Moving to Hay-on-Wye?
With its literary charm, community spirit, stunning landscapes, and incredible restaurants, Hay-on-Wye is a great place to live, work, and invest in property.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or looking to rent property in Hay-on-Wye, our expert Hay-on-Wye estate agents are here to help. For Lettings, call us on 01497 828264, for Sales, call us on 01497 828263. Or book a free property valuation with our Hay-on-Wye branch today.
