Hay-On-Wye was a little market town back then, but Booth thought it could be something more. He thought the town could use books – lots and lots of books – to draw more tourists. Booth began expanding his own bookshop into other small storefronts, and encouraged others to open up book stores, too.
This little village (called Y Gelli or Y Gelli Gandryll in Welsh) rose from obscurity in 1961 when Richard Booth bought container loads of books from libraries that were closing in the US and set up his book shop in an old fire station.
Hay-on-Wye, the United Kingdom's mecca for bibliophiles, is less than one square mile in size, but it's packed with independent booksellers curating all kinds of used and antique reading material. Today, the area doesn't just provide a safe haven for books—the books actually help to preserve their home.
Hay-on-Wye has become world famous for its secondhand and antiquarian bookshops. Founded by Mr Richard Booth in 1961, it has become the World's largest Secondhand and antiquarian book centre. Some of the bookshops specialise whilst others carry general stock.
The book town boasts a total of 26 bookstores for its population of 2,000 people. That's 1 bookstore per 77 people in the small village. Aka, my kind of place. I wanted to make a list of all the bookshops in Hay On Wye, if like me, you want to visit and browse every single one.
How Many Bookshops Are In Hay-on-Wye? - United Kingdom Explorers
Is Hay-on-Wye the first book town?
Welcome to Hay-on-Wye, the world's first book town 📚 Perched on the border of England and Wales, this magical town is beaming with over 20 bookshops and known for one holding of the world's biggest literary festivals, @hayfestival, which takes place annually during late spring / early summer!
World renowned for books and bookshops. Its unique position on the border between England and Wales makes Hay ideal for visitors to explore and enjoy the beautiful border country. Our website has information for both visitors and residents.
One of the gems along the River Wye, Hay-on-Wye is the small town famous the world over for books. With the river flowing gracefully along its north western edge Hay, as we locals refer to it, abuts the England Wales border.
Eight independent bookstores line a two-block stretch of Main Street in the upstate New York village of Hobart, which has a population of roughly 400. Nestled in the northern Catskills a three-hour drive from Manhattan, Hobart became Hobart Book Village in 2005.
Sedbergh is England's official Book Town. Choose from a huge variety of books from cheap reads to collectables available from a wide range of book sellers in shops & cafes.
Despite being in Wales, the town has strong English influences, and both Welsh and English speakers live here. As of the 2021 census, 1,675 people live in this town. Its unique location, on the south-east bank of the River Wye, is said to be the ideal base for exploring the northern Black Mountains.
In the wake of the city's highly successful annual book fair comes this piece of good news: According to a recent study by the World Cities Cultural Forum, Buenos Aires has more bookstores per capita than any other major city in the world.
The historic Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye was once a sleepy shire, home to a few hundred people who by and large made their living farming sheep. But then came Richard Booth, a bombastic, outrageous figure who decided to fill the town with hundreds of thousands of used books.
Hay-on-Wye is located on the Welsh / English border in the United Kingdom. Most of the town lies within Wales, but eastern parts do encroach into England! The town is, nonetheless, considered to be in Wales.
Hay-on-Wye was already well known for its many bookshops before the festival was launched. Richard Booth opened his first shop there, called The Old Fire Station, in 1962, and by the 1970s Hay had gained the nickname "The Town of Books".
While the town itself has many charms, perhaps its best feature is its location. With the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons, the winding River Wye, lakes and forests, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy the stunning scenery. Way2Go Adventures offer tailored excursions, from half a day to a full day.
“The Black Cabin is more than just a retreat; it´s a testament to Hay-on-Wye´s literary charm, the Black Mountains´ majesty, and the magic of rural Welsh life. We´ve crafted a haven where creativity flows as freely as the mountain air, blending the area´s artistic heritage with tranquil comfort and inspiring views.”
There is a brilliant range of organised activities on offer in Hay on Wye. Book cycle hire with Drovers Cycles, on-site Archery with Fred Wright at Interactivities, Horse Riding at Tregoyd or Free-Rein, Wild Foraging with Adele Nozedar or Indoor Climbing at Llangorse Multiactivity Centre.
New Quay has also been dubbed the most isolated town in England and Wales due to its distance from nearbyy amenities. The 1,045 people living in the quant town face a long trip to a major supermarket.
Hollybush Road in Cyncoed, one of Cardiff's most affluent and exclusive suburbs, has been unveiled as the most expensive road in Wales. According to Rightmove, the average house price on this road currently stands at £1,434,790.
