Held annually in the town of Hay-on-Wye in Powys, Wales, Hay Festival is a literary paradise, welcoming hundreds of thousands each year. Nicknamed “The Town of Books”, the town was already known for its bookshops before the festival started.
Whether this is your first year going or you know it like the back of your hand, here’s what to expect and how to get the most out of your Hay Festival experience.
What is the Hay Festival?
Founded in 1988, Hay literary festival is held over 10-11 days in May and June. The festival brings together voices from all walks of life to talk, listen, debate, and spark creativity. It’s a prominent festival within the UK, once described by former US president Bill Clinton as “the Woodstock of the mind”.
It was originally held across multiple venues in Hay-on-Wye, including the local primary school. However, it moved to a unified site just outside of the town in 2005 to be able to accommodate the infrastructure needed for its larger audiences.
Throughout the years, Hay-on-Wye festival has grown beyond its Welsh location. These days, its presence is global, with events in countries like Spain, Peru, and Mexico. The festival in Wales welcomes lots of international speakers and guests each year, and there’s even an online programme for those who can’t make it to Hay. Sessions have also been recorded for major UK radio and broadcasting channels.
It’s no longer just about literature either. The festival hosts events that cover a range of topics, including politics, science, comedy, music, and history, as well as current affairs, debates, and film screenings.
There are events to suit curious minds of all ages, so families can come enjoy the experience together.
What to expect at Hay Festival
Over the years, the festival has seen some memorable moments. Two US Presidents have attended, and actress Goldie Hawn once addressed the festival during a very windy edition. In 2018, Margaret Atwood led a procession of Handmaids across the fields and discussed the TV adaptation of her 1985 novel The Handmaid’s Tale.
Like many events, Hay Festival shifted online during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, a celebration of William Wordsworth featured top names like Stephen Fry and Benedict Cumberbatch.
There are more than 500 events to choose from at the Hay book festival in 2026. Some of these involve famous names within the world of literature, entertainment, and politics, all of whom bring their knowledge, experience and craft to inspire festivalgoers.
Talks, panels, and author events
Books are still at the core of the programming Hay Festival, with lots of initiatives to spark interest and reach new audiences as well as old.
My Life in Books invites celebrities to share insight into their own personal libraries and the stories that have made them who they are. The likes of Bear Grylls, Emma Thompson, and Prue Leith will all be sharing their favourite reads and the impact literature has had on their journeys.
At Barrel of Laughs, comedians with new books take centre stage to offer a more lighthearted experience at the festival. Greg Davies, Miriam Margolyes, and Sandi Toksvig are just some of the names who demonstrate storytelling with striking wit and character.
There are also opportunities to hear from new and emerging writers and voices in segments such as Debut Discoveries and The Platform. These give talent the chance to gain recognition and experience within the literary community. For the audience, they may be listening to the next big stars before they even know it.
Hay Festival also hosts conversations with global voices, activists and policymakers. Talks with Malala Yousafzai and Nicola Sturgeon, whose memoirs both came out last year, discuss their experience of life in the public eye.
Talks from experts in the world of ideas, science, and technology will cover topics that affect our everyday lives. These include artificial intelligence, digital futures, and modern scientific innovation.
Historians like David Olusoga and Simon Schama will be on hand to talk about world and art history, drawing comparisons with modern culture.
Finally, art and media sessions will explore storytelling across film, television, and literature. Book to Screen conversations go into even more detail about what it takes to bring pages to life and how to best translate art to film.
Arts, music, and cultural experiences
Those looking for immersive entertainment have plenty to choose from at the Hay-on-Wye book festival.
Throughout the days, there are pop-up performances from choirs, shanty groups, and musicians. For classical music enthusiasts, there are also lunchtime recitals and concerts in the evenings to enjoy.
At night, the main stage features sets from The Amy Winehouse Band and Llareggub Brass Band, among others. Plus, Welsh legend and presenter for Songs of Praise, Aled Jones closes the festival on the final night.
You’ll also hear uproarious laughter at Hay Festival Comedy Club, where you’ll find Tom Allen, Fatiha El-Ghorri, and Suzi Ruffell appearing for 2026. There are also solo stand-up shows from the likes of Matt Forde and Sara Pascoe.
For something a little bit different, Austentatious brings live, improvised Jane Austen-inspired performances.
There are creative writing workshops for writers to learn how to develop their own stories, characters, and unique voices. Visitors can even try their hand at the world’s oldest writing, Cuneiform, with a Mesopotamia expert.
For those interested in the festival’s surroundings and Hay-on-Wye, there are guided tours of nearby Hay Castle. Wayfaring Walks teach visitors about the local environment and the work of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
Family-friendly events and activities
Hay Festival is truly an event for all ages. There is a dedicated family area within the festival site, which offers creative hubs and family event venues. A family garden is also part of the site, with lots of free activities to inspire and nurture future thinkers.
There are talks and events centred around iconic contemporary children’s authors, like How To Train Your Dragon’s Cressida Cowell. The festival celebrates Paddington creator Michael Bond and a special event, featuring Emma Thompson, marks 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh.
The science and history programming has options for young minds too, with topics like the human body, nature at night, and the roots that make us who we are. Young Adult writers will be on hand to inspire teens, including the author of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Holly Jackson.
Children can enjoy storytelling sessions, drama and poetry performances, and unleash their creativity in the Make and Take Tent. For children interested in a career in literature and the arts, the new Creative Industry Insights series is worth checking out. At these sessions, children get a chance to put their questions to successful artists from different disciplines.
Food, bookshops, and festival atmosphere
Whilst many of the events are ticketed, the Hay Festival site is free to enter.
There are plenty of delicious food options, including a street food canteen, a farm shop, and ice cream stalls. Coffee shops and Chapter House Cafe are on hand to provide hot drinks and light bites, whilst the Festival Bar is there for real ale, wine, or even a jug of Pimm’s.
There are plenty of vendors and charities with stalls around the site to make visitors pause for a browse or a thought. The festival has its own gift shop full of Hay Festival-branded gifts and souvenirs for yourself or loved ones. And, of course, there is a large festival bookshop that stocks books by all authors at the festival, and more besides. Book signings are often hosted here after events.
Since the festival site is less than a mile from the centre of Hay-on-Wye, festivalgoers are also encouraged to explore the town itself. There are bookshops, art galleries, boutiques, markets, and even a Fair on the Square street party to continue the fun from the festival in town.
Where is Hay-on-Wye, and how do you get there?
Hay-on-Wye is in the county of Powys. It’s not too far from the England-Wales border, where Shropshire and Herefordshire are the closest English counties.
It’s set within the Brecon Beacons National Park, famed for its mountainous landscape, ideal for outdoor activities if you have time while visiting the festival.
Brecon Beacons is also full of charming towns with rich local history, with Hay-on-Wye settlement appearing in the 12th century. Hay’s rural location means you can enjoy the calm and nearby serenity of the countryside, just a short distance from the buzzing festival atmosphere.
Its rural location also makes it a little further away from major rail hubs, but still reachable by train. Some may travel by car, but the festival’s commitment to sustainability and our planet is much better supported by train travel.
Travelling by train to Hay Festival
The closest train station to Hay-on-Wye is Hereford. Once you get to Hereford, there are lots of options for onward travel to Hay Festival.
Taxis are available, with some local firms offering taxi-sharing services to help keep costs low.
Local bus routes operate between Hereford and Hay-on-Wye. The X44 service operates 6 days a week, Monday-Saturday, and the 39A takes over on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Both services stop in the centre of Hay, which is then a short 10-ish minute walk to the festival site.
Hay Festival also runs a festival bus route which stops at Hereford train station and ends in the centre of Hay.
From London Euston to Hereford
There are regular Avanti trains from London Euston. Head to Crewe, Birmingham International, and Birmingham New Street, where you can change for services to Hereford. Journey times vary from around three hours to four and a half hours.
From Manchester Piccadilly to Hereford
There are direct trains from Manchester Piccadilly to Hereford. The journey takes just over two hours.
From Birmingham New Street to Hereford
Direct trains from Birmingham New Street to Hereford leave once an hour. The journey should be around an hour and a half long.
From Carlisle to Hereford
Avanti West Coast train services run from Carlisle to Crewe, where you can change for a local train to Hereford.
No matter where you are coming from, travelling by train is a relaxed way to get the major part of your journey done. You can spend the time planning the programme for your day or watching the world go by. Plus, there’s no need to worry about finding parking once you get to Hay if you come by train.
Travelling by car to Hay Festival
If you do still wish to drive, Hay-on-Wye can be found just off the A458 between Brecon and Hereford. The postcode for the festival site is HR3 5PJ, but it will be well signposted once you get near Hay itself.
Car sharing is highly encouraged by the festival, and they have partnered with a few platforms to make this easy to arrange.
Hay Festival parking
Parking at the festival site is available and needs to be booked in advance via the website. This includes spaces for Blue Badge holders.
There is also parking in Hay-on-Wye town at Oxford Road pay-and-display long stay.
If you don’t want to think about parking or are nervous about car sharing, the train eliminates both of these scenarios. Should you be lucky enough to be on the Avanti West Coast route, we are here to get you to where you want to be.
Why Hay Festival is worth the journey
Hay Festival is worth visiting because it blends world-class ideas with a picturesque countryside setting. To remind you, the festival offers:
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Big-name speakers and thinkers
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Wide-ranging topics from politics and literature to climate change, technology, and history
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A charming location of book-loving Hay-on-Wye
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Pop-up tents, food stalls, and bookshops bring the festival vibes
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Interactive experiences like workshops, signings, and Q&As
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Something for all ages, with programming for children and families
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An intellectual and creative recharge weekend away from normal daily life
Where to stay during Hay Festival
With so many visitors to the festival each year, many attending for more than one day, finding somewhere to stay can be tricky, but it’s not impossible.
Hotels
Hay-on-Wye itself does not have hotels, so you’ll need to stay in Hereford if you’d prefer a hotel-stay. There are well-known chains in Hereford, as well as independent names like Green Dragon Hotel and The Old Black Lion Inn.
If you do stay in Hereford, you can make use of the buses to get you to Hay and then walk to the festival site.
FindMeARoom
This is Hay Festival’s official accommodation service and works to connect festivalgoers with rooms near Hay. It lists B&Bs and self-catering options and is easy to use. Simply input the required information, and it will show the options available for you to choose from.
Hay Festival Camping
For a proper UK festival experience, camping is a must. That being said, it’s not all about tents these days. Luxury glamping experiences keep the relaxation flowing, with unique setups and extra facilities that you wouldn’t get in a tent.
Hay Festival’s official camping and glamping partner is Tangerine Fields, which is a minute away from the town centre. There are also lots of other options in and around Hay.
The Hay Festival website’s accommodation page has even more information available to help you find somewhere to stay during your visit.
Helpful tips for visiting Hay Festival
Planning ahead makes your Hay literary festival experience stress-free and enjoyable for everyone. A little preparation goes a long way, especially given how huge the event is these days. Our top tips are:
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Book tickets early: Whilst the festival site is free to access, the majority of events, talks, and performances are ticketed. Popular talks and headline speakers sell out quickly, so get tickets for your must-see events in advance.
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Arrange accommodation before you get there: Places in and around Hay-on-Wye get booked up fast. Be prepared to look in nearby towns and villages if your options are limited.
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Plan your days: With so many events, some overlapping, mapping out your days helps you avoid missing the events you have your heart set on.
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Check your train journey: Keep an eye out for any travel information that might affect your route to Hereford.
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Give yourself time to explore Hay-on-Wye: Make time to walk around the town of Hay, taking in the riverside walks, cafés and, of course, all the bookshops.
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Prepare for all weather: May in Wales is unpredictable! Since the festival is mostly outdoors, bring layers, waterproofs, and sun protection.
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Wear comfortable footwear: You will be doing plenty of walking between venues, often on grass or uneven ground. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are a must.
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Get to sessions early: Queues can build up, especially for high-profile events. If you can, give yourself extra time to get there so you can settle in and relax before they start.
Travelling to Hay Festival with Avanti
Hay Festival combines world-class speakers, thought-provoking discussions, and the beautiful Welsh countryside. It’s a place for inspiration, discovery, and an enriching cultural escape for all.
Whether it’s your first year at Hay-on-Wye festival, or you’ve been going for years, Avanti can get your journey to Hereford started.
With Avanti services from as far south as London Euston and as far North as Carlisle and Scotland, we’re here to get you to the festival sustainably.
Once you have your dates set, get onto our website and plan your journey by train.
Our Advance fares offer the best rates, whilst Off-Peak trains might give you a quieter journey.
Not fussed what time you get there on the first day of your adventure? Take a look at our Best Fare Finder and see which times could save you money.
Speaking of saving money, don’t forget to use any eligible Railcards you hold when booking too.
Travelling to Hay Festival by train makes the whole trip feel easier from the start. Rather than being uncomfortable in a car for hours, you can sit back and relax.
Best of all, there’s no worrying about traffic or parking once you get to your destination. It’s a greener option that gives you time to read, plan or just enjoy watching the world out of the window.
Take the train to arrive refreshed and ready to make the most of your experience at “the Woodstock of the mind”.