The very best places to stay in
Hay on Wye and Wye Valley
A meeting of wild borderlands and creative energy, Hay-on-Wye and the Wye Valley form one of Britain’s most curiously magnetic corners. The River Wye winds through wooded gorges and meadows, carving a route between hills that have seen history unfold. Along its banks sit storybook towns and villages — places of markets, music and mismatched bookshops that smell of ink, old paper and the passage of time.
Hay itself is a world apart: part bohemian haven, part rural idyll. Bookshops spill onto cobbled lanes, cafés hum with conversation, and there’s an ever-present sense of ideas floating in the air — from the legendary Hay Festival to the everyday rhythm of locals swapping stories in old pubs. Beyond town, trails lead you to heather-clad ridges, riverside swims and ancient oaks that must have a tale or two to tell themselves. See our Kip tips for the region, below.
This is a landscape for unhurried wanderers — to paddleboard beneath limestone cliffs, picnic by the river or simply watch swallows darting above a glassy bend in the water. Whether you’re staying in a design-led riverside cottage, a whimsical treehouse tucked away in the woods or a luxury lodge surrounded by breezy meadows, our Hay-on-Wye and Wye Valley hideaways offer the perfect base to slow down, explore and feel the poetry of this beautiful borderland.
Featured stays in
Hay on Wye and Wye Valley
Curate your Hay on Wye and Wye Valley stay
Kip tips
must do
Walk the Offa’s Dyke Path as it winds above the Wye — the section between Hay Bluff and Pandy is pure magic, with sweeping valley views and wild ponies on the ridges.
must do
Hire a canoe in Glasbury and drift down the River Wye to Hay; pack a picnic, spot kingfishers and moor up for lunch at The Boat Inn.
secret kip tip
Find Pwll-y-Wrach Nature Reserve near Talgarth, a hidden gorge with a tumbling waterfall and legend of a witch turned to stone.
with kids
Try Goodrich Castle, a red sandstone ruin straight from a storybook, with towers to climb and picnic spots overlooking the river.
foodie treat
Dinner at The Walnut Tree (just outside Abergavenny) is worth the detour — Michelin-starred yet relaxed, with local produce and impeccable Welsh wines.
culture
Check what’s on at The Globe at Hay, an indie arts space hosting intimate gigs, talks and creative workshops.
Explore other locations
Why book a Hay on Wye and Wye Valley holiday with
Kip Hideaways?
We endlessly research and curate the very best places to stay across the UK: all gorgeous and great value. Beautiful, unique style is a must for us but it’s the thoughtful detail and owners who really care that make our hideaways so special.
Our design-led hideaways include cabins with hot tubs, dog-friendly cottages, romantic treehouses and family-friendly houses.
