Julie Smith
16 February 2021
From a series of independent bookshops that are dotted around ancient cobbled streets to the tranquil River Wye flowing gently through the town and into the surrounding Brecon Beacons countryside, Hay-on-Wye is an idyllic destination for either a short break or longer holiday. For inspiration on what to do during your visit to this Brecon Beacons town, read our insider’s guide to Hay-on-Wye and browse our hand-picked collection of cottages to find the perfect base for your next getaway.
This beautifully converted granary lies just at the edge of Hay-on-Wye and is the perfect base for a romantic getaway to the Welsh countryside.
- A balcony patio is the perfect spot for a morning cuppa or evening drink.
- Look out over the owner’s small farm with grazing rare breed sheep.
- Characterful features in this chunky stone cottage include exposed wooden beams.
Why we love it: Gardeners Granary is just a mile from Hay-on-Wye but has a wonderfully peaceful spot on the edge of the river with gorgeous walks from the front door.
This dreamy chocolate-box cottage dates back to the 15th century and comes with lots of rustic charm. It's an ideal base if you fancy immersing yourself in the history and literature of Hay-on-Wye and maybe even come up with a bestselling book of your own.
- A gorgeous cottage garden leads directly onto a patch of Brecon Beacons woodland.
- Enjoy spectacular Brecon Beacons scenery as you dine - the table is perfectly placed beside a large window that makes the most of countryside views.
- The property is brimming with original character with quirky cubby holes in the chunky white walls, gorgeous brick fireplaces and dark exposed beams.
Why we love it: This is a classic country cottage that could have come straight from a story book or postcard. It’s dog-friendly too and four-legged friends can have lots of adventures in the surrounding woodland and countryside.
Ty Mary | Sleeps: 5 guests and 2 dogs
This period property has a prime location close to the centre of Hay-on-Wye with a large bay window where you can sit and watch the world go by. Wooden floorboards add elegance to the comfortable living room and a large farmhouse dining table has views out to the garden and is perfect for sociable family meals.
- Head out to the nearby River Wye where you can enjoy a family canoeing and kayaking trip with boat hire and lessons available.
- French doors lead straight from the kitchen to a charming patio garden where you can enjoy a family BBQ in the summer months.
- A family bedroom with three single beds is ideal for children and there’s plenty of seating in the comfortable lounge for everyone to relax in front of the fire.
Why we love it: The enclosed garden at Ty Mary is perfect for four-legged friends while the spacious accommodation is just right for a family holiday to the Brecon Beacons.
Originally an apple store that has been beautifully refurbished from the original cider house within the heart of Hay-on-Wye, this incredible property is a beautiful holiday home for families and friends.
- Perfect for film fans and literature lovers alike, this stunning property promises a stay unlike any other on the brink of the Brecon Beacons.
- the kitchen is well equipped and the dining room is perfect for all to settle down for a home cooked meal.
- Boasting a town centre location, this property offers direct access to Hay-on-Wye’s bookshops, pubs, Hay Castle and the River Wye all within 0.5 miles.
Why we love it: You can relax on the raised decking area and be entertained with the open-air cinema while enjoying some home-cooked traditional Japanese food which can be catered for by The Old Cider House's owner, certainly something you can't get in every holiday cottage!
Boatside | Sleeps:11 guests + 2 dogs
This large, handsome Georgian property with views across to Hay on Wye and the Black Mountains comes with 6 bedrooms, and two lounges, a snug with a TV and wood burner for cosy film nights, and a drawing room that’s perfect for board games.
- Within walking distance of the famous book town of Hay-on-Wye and the River Wye, it's perfect for exploring on foot and on the water.
- The landscaped gardens are perfect for entertaining, enjoy long summer nights with a BBQ and a glass of something cold.
- A spacious kitchen has everything you need to rustle up lunch or dinner and there's a separate dining room where you can sit down to your family meal.
Why we love it: This stylish country escape sits proudly above Hay-on-Wye offering spectacular views across to the Black Mountains. The spacious accommodation and gardens are perfect for family gatherings and celebrations.
Hay Bluff House | Sleeps: 8 guests plus 2 dogs
This beautiful 16th-century cottage is surrounded by acres of gardens and fields with a private waterfall within the grounds and a magical backdrop of Brecon Beacons mountains. Exposed stonework and cruck oak beams give the property lots of character and charm and the stunning location is hard to beat.
- An enclosed garden at this dog-friendly property means that four-legged friends can safely sniff out adventures.
- The secluded property is tucked away off the beaten track so it's ideal for a private and peaceful escape.
- A wood-fired hot tub, table tennis and pool table will keep guests of all ages happy and a utility room is perfect for storing muddy boots after hikes through the countryside.
Why we love it: The fabulous farmhouse kitchen has a two-oven AGA so you cook up some hearty sustenance following a day of outdoor activities before relaxing in one of two lounges that are both kept warm by open fires.
Meeting House | Sleeps: 9 guests plus 2 dogs
This lovely large holiday home has an elevated position above the Brecon Beacons hamlet of Llanigon which is just a couple of miles south of Hay-on-Wye. Chunky oak beams, vaulted ceilings and a wood burner give the property lots of charm and a decked balcony has an outdoor dining table where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner with one of the finest views around.
- Meeting House features a well-stocked library for literary lovers and a games room with a billiard table to keep everyone entertained.
- Steps from the decked balcony lead down to a woodland garden - you can sit on the balcony with a sundowner and keep an eye on playing children and dogs.
- You’ll find babbling brooks, flowing rivers and pretty woodland surrounding the property and the book shops and cafes of Hay-on-Wye are just 2 miles away.
Why we love it: Meeting House is an idyllic country retreat with fabulous open-plan living space for sociable evenings together and four bathrooms to accompany the property’s four bedrooms.
Plan your getaway to Hay-on-Wye
This is just a small selection of the Hay-on-Wye cottages available for your Brecon Beacons getaway. Whether you’re dreaming of days spent browsing quirky bookshops, fancy attending the famous Hay Festival or want a fun-filled outdoor adventure in the Brecon Beacons National Park, browse our full range of Hay-on-Wye cottages to find your perfect base.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.