A Literary Love Affair

Parking in the centre of town is scarce so leave your car at this car park.

Hay Castle has recently been restored and converted into a centre for culture and arts. You can walk around inside to admire the structure and view the art exhibitions. Outside of the castle is an open-air honesty bookshop full of second-hand books for £1 each, with proceeds going towards the upkeep of Hay Castle.

Bookseller Richard Booth was the self-proclaimed 'King of Hay' and his bookshop is arguably the crown jewel of the town. This expansive three-story shop sells a mix of new, second-hand and antique books covering all genres and topics.
Monday — Saturday: 09:30-17:30 Sunday: 11:00-17:00

As the name implies, this bookshop is housed in a former cinema. It was opened in 1965, making it one of the oldest shops in town. Their collection of second-hand books range in value from 50 pence to thousands of pounds.
Monday — Saturday: 09:00-18:00 Sunday: 10:00-17:30

Pop into The Cosy Cafe for a wholesome lunch. Their simple yet satisfying menu features savoury crêpes, freshly-made sandwich rolls, salads and plenty of sweet treats.
Monday — Saturday: 09:00-17:00 Sunday: 10:00-17:00

Drive down to the Welsh capital to visit some world-class cultural institutions. The National Museum Cardiff is free entry and showcases Welsh national art, natural history and geology exhibitions.
Monday: Closed Tuesday — Sunday: 10:00-17:00

Drop by your hotel to check in and freshen up for a night out. This apartment has sweeping views of Cardiff Bay from its balcony.

Yakitori1 has an extensive menu of Japanese dishes including made-to-order sushi, curry, ramen, grilled skewers and tempura. They also have an array of sake and plum wine available.
Reserve a table on the Yakitori1 website.
Monday: 12:30-14:30, 17:30-22:00 Tuesday: Closed Wednesday — Thursday: 12:30-14:30, 17:30-22:00 Friday — Sunday: 12:00-22:00

The Wales Millennium Centre is the country's leading arts institution and home to major performing groups such as the Welsh National Opera, National Dance Company and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. The centre's programme is filled with spectacular performances all year round, so check their website to see what you can watch while you're in town.

After an evening at the theatre, unwind at this well-equipped serviced apartment. It's located on the top floor of Crichton House, a heritage-listed building.