The Bookish Mindset

If bookshop tours are your thing then you absolutely need to add Hay-on-Wye absolutely needs to be on your visit list. Boasting over twenty bookshops in the small town, there is absolutely something for everyone here.

The town got it’s name as one the largest second hand and antique book dealers in the word by Richard Booth, who opened his new and second hand bookshop in 1885. The shop still stands today and is one of the absolute must visits.

But there’s more than just Booth’s, read on to find my favourites:

• Gay-on-Wye. One of my favourites. A brilliant spread of queer literature across the genres. A must visit.
• North Books. Lovely chilled vibes in here with great literary sections and local authors too.
• The Poetry Bookshop. Bursting with poets, I could waste many a happy hour in this one finding new authors.
• The Literature Laboratory. The most beautiful children’s book and gift shop. I’d like to live in there please.
• Richard Booth. Stunning wooden panelled building with new on the ground and second hand above. Beautiful!
• Green Ink Booksellers. Another beautiful shop. This one is purely second hand.
• Addyman Books. Two floors and a great selection of children’s fiction and more.
• Addyman Anexe. Owned with the above and full of beautiful antiques as well as some beautiful bound classics.
• Hay Cinema Books. Second book lovers dream come true. An old cinema converted into endless shelves.
• Honesty Bookshop. Set in the grounds of the castle, more second hand books under beautiful shelters.
• Hay on Wye Books. Another great shop with a big mix of everything.

And some I didn’t visit but I know some of you will love:

• Murder and Mayhem – full of crime and thrillers for the thrill seekers of you.
• Mostly Maps. You guessed it, maps!
• Francis Edwards. Specialist and antique finds
• The Children’s Bookshop. We only didn’t visit because it’s a little way out.

You’ll also find multiple record shops (Tangled Parrot, Haystack’s Music and More and Tom’s Record Shop) and brilliant bakeries too. We camped just outside the village and walked in. There’s also the infamous Hay Festival that’s held in Summer and they also have a winter festival too.

We visited over a weekend after a Snowdon climb and it was a lovely end to our week in Wales. I’m hoping to head back again later this year.

So is Hay-on-Wye on your list to visit? Or have you visited already and love it? Let me know!

If reading more is something that you’re looking at doing this year then should check my reading challenge out here! Read nine books from nine prompts over the first six months of the year and be entered into a draw to win a bundle of bookish goodies.

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And don’t forget to check out my other blogs and reviews – you can find books with similar themes in the same folder link below, or click back onto blogs to see the whole offering.

Last updated 29/01/2025