Hay-on-Wye closed its castle gates 400 years ago. However, the way to Hay-on-Wye lies open for all to see what this historic town has to offer. Hay-on-Wye sits on the border between England and Wales, and uses the postcode for the County of Herefordshire, but Hay lies in Powys and is indeed a little Welsh medieval market town. It sits alongside the River Wye, the river being just one of the many attractions for the visitors who flock here each year. With picturesque views of the Wye Valley, the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons National Park close at hand one wonders why they set out to become the “most famous book town" in the world.
#1# With around 1,900 inhabitants and 30 bookshops, it could be said that there are more books than people in Hay-on-Wye! The town is a 'Mecca' for second hand books and bibliophiles, which is why it appeals to so many authors, writers, and historians. It was Richard Booth, self proclaimed King of Hay and owner of Hay castle, who opened his first second hand bookshop in 1961 and pursued his dream to create the largest second hand and antiquarian book selling centre in the world. ....

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