The compact town of Hay-on-Wye, sitting on the Herefordshire border in Powys, Mid Wales, has been named one of the world's most beautiful towns, following a ranking by Love Exploring, where it was placed 48th out of 67 global destinations.
Hay-on-Wye also topped the acclaimed list as the prettiest town in Wales, beating the harbour town of Tenby, which ranked 65th.
A town of books
Hay-on-Wye's reputation as the 'town of books' certainly contributes to its newfound fame, with around 26 bookshops housed in ancient stone buildings and timber-framed structures along the narrow streets. After all, there's a reason it's known as the country's National Book Town: visitors will find novels around every corner, adorning doorways and tucked away in ancient stone walls.
Its picturesque scenes are further enhanced by the strings of vibrant bunting that decorate the high street alongside its colourful shopfronts, set against the stone architecture, making it feel as though you've stepped into a real-life storybook. In fact, the town has more bookstores than anywhere else in Wales, given its compact size, with a population of under 2,000 residents.
World's first book town
Love Exploring hailed Hay-on-Wye as a "must visit for bibliophiles", thanks to its "vast array of bookshops". The town was established as a literary destination in 1961 by bookseller Richard Booth, and it subsequently achieved international recognition as the 'world's first book town'.
The influence of the self-proclaimed 'King of Hay' continues to shape the town, most notably through Richard Booth's Bookshop on Lion Street, previously described as the 'world's largest secondhand bookshop' and today recognised as 'one of Europe's largest second-hand bookshops'. The three-storey treasure trove overflows with pre-loved and new titles, alongside art and craft materials, all contained within a distinctive timber structure featuring an eye-catching red-and-white 19th-century exterior.
Yet, there are plenty more to discover from pre-owned volumes at Green Ink Booksellers to detective fiction at Murder and Mayhem, speculative literature at Bookshop 451, collectable editions at Francis Edwards, The Children's Bookshop, Hay Cinema Bookshop and Hay on Wye Comics. The Addyman Annexe has been described as "The jewel in the crown of this famous booktown", while Addyman Books has been trading since 1987.
Festival and visitor appeal
It's difficult to stumble upon a shop in this enchanting town that isn't brimming with books, but there are a few with additional offerings, including the independent Tom's Record Shop, Haystacks Music and more, plus Mostly Maps. These sit alongside honesty bookstalls, and shelves dotted throughout the town that is packed with tales.
The Welsh town also plays host to the Hay Festival, one of the world's finest literary celebrations, which honours literature and the arts across 11 days and attracts as many as 250,000 visitors, inviting them to 'step into a world of different'. And due to its convenient location on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, it serves as a gateway to exploring some of Wales' most stunning landscapes.
Following a trip to Hay-on-Wye, one traveller shared on TripAdvisor: "Famous for the bookshops that lend it a unique atmosphere, Hay is packed full of interesting shops, cafes and pubs. Nice riverside walk too." Another hailed the town as a "little gem" and wrote: "Ideal for a short break or as a base for a longer break in the Brecon area. A small walkable town, I’m sure it’s very busy under normal circumstances, but I probably enjoyed my visit all the more as it was pretty quiet! I’ll visit again, I’m sure of that."
