Hay Castle

Hay Castle is a Grade I listed historic house in Powys, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Hay Castle

Hay Castle stands above the market town of Hay-on-Wye on the Welsh border.

The stone castle was built as a border stronghold for the De Braose family in the 12th century and suffered repeated fire damage and siege warfare during medieval conflicts along the Welsh Marches.

Today it combines a restored medieval keep with gallery and workshop spaces, a shop and a café.

The castle holds exhibitions relating to Richard Booth, the bookseller whose 1977 declaration of Hay-on-Wye as an independent kingdom transformed it into a world-famous book town.

Historic Houses members receive free entry with a valid card.

History of Hay Castle

The stone castle was built as a border stronghold for the De Braose family in the 12th century. Over the centuries it suffered repeated fire damage and was caught up in siege warfare during medieval conflicts along the Welsh Marches. In the 20th century it became closely linked to Richard Booth, the bookseller who declared Hay-on-Wye an independent kingdom in 1977, transforming the town into a world-famous book centre. The castle now holds exhibitions relating to Booth's life and the town's book trade.

Architecture of Hay Castle

The castle mixes surviving medieval fabric, including a keep, with later additions and a recent programme of restoration that has opened up new gallery and workshop spaces within the historic walls.

Worth knowing

The castle is associated with Richard Booth, the self-styled 'King of Hay' whose declaration of Hay-on-Wye as an independent kingdom in 1977 turned it into the world-famous book town it is today.

Gardens & grounds at Hay Castle

The grounds around the castle offer open space to sit or wander, with views over Hay-on-Wye and the Wye valley.

Facilities

Parking Café Toilets Shop EV charging Restaurant Accessible toilets Baby changing

Plan your visit to Hay Castle

Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: Builth Road Rail Station (14.4 miles)

Admission

Free entry to Historic Houses members (show valid membership card)

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Places to visit near Hay Castle

The Begwns

historic building 4.4 miles

View The Begwns on heritage map

Arthur's Stone, Herefordshire

archaeological site 5.6 miles

View Arthur's Stone, Herefordshire on heritage map

Snodhill Castle

castle 5.9 miles

View Snodhill Castle on heritage map

Bronllys Castle

castle 6.9 miles

View Bronllys Castle on heritage map

Llanthony Priory

priory 9.7 miles

View Llanthony Priory on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Hay Castle there are 1 historic properties, including 1 historic building.

1 National Trust

1 Historic building

See these 1 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Hay Castle there are 6 historic properties, including 3 castles, across English Heritage, Cadw and National Trust sites.

2 English Heritage

2 Cadw

1 National Trust

3 Castle

1 Historic building

1 Priory

1 Archaeological site

See these 6 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Hay Castle there are 23 historic properties, including 8 castles, 5 historic buildings and 3 churchs, across Cadw, English Heritage and Churches Conservation Trust sites.

9 Cadw

5 English Heritage

3 Churches Conservation Trust

3 National Trust

2 Historic Houses

8 Castle

5 Historic building

3 Church

3 Archaeological site

1 Chapel