Hay-on-Wye (Y Gelli Gandryll or Y Gelli in Welsh) or "Hay", is a small market town in Brecknockshire, now Powys, in Wales.
A pub at "the town of books" and National Book Town of Wales. The annual Hay Festival is a major literary festival. The settlement's name was first referred to between 1135 and 1147 as "Haya"; or by 1299 La Haye and later simply called "Hay". In 1215, a Welsh name, "Gelli" was recorded, and "Gelli gandrell" in 1614. The English language name, "Hay", is derived from Old English "hæg", possibly meaning a "fenced area" and a noun used in late Saxon and Norman times for an enclosure in a forest. Hay-on-Wye is a destination for bibliophiles, still with two dozen bookshops, selling specialist and second-hand books. Local businessman Richard Booth, b. 1938, is an entrepreneur, scholar and iconoclast. In 1976, dissatisfied with local government, he declared himself King of Hay-on-Wye. Over several decades his dynamic book dealing, combined with renowned publicity stunts, turned his kingdom into a world famous ‘town of books’. The keep of Hay Castle and Mansion is roughly thirty feet (9 m) square, and once had four storeys. The corners of the tower have been much rebuilt, probably due to insecure foundations. The entire south east corner of the tower has been replaced and it is possible that when first constructed there was a spiral stair here to allow access to the upper floors. This tower is similar to the keep found at Goodrich Castle. Some time in the 12th century the strong curtain wall with gate was added to the site. This gateway is one of the finest carved castle gateways in Wales and is comparable with the much more ornate work at Newcastle near Bridgend.
Size: 6000px × 4000px
Location: Hay on Wye, Powys, Wales, UK
Photo credit: © Philip Chapman / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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