Charming UK market town with 20 cosy bookshops is like stepping back in time

This gorgeous small municipality has a batch to offer.

Nestled successful the Welsh countryside is simply a stunning marketplace municipality celebrated for its books and jaw-dropping Norman castles. The colony of Hay-on-Wye, known colloquially conscionable arsenic Hay, is cleanable for your adjacent autumn staycation.

Within its borders are much than 20 shops specialising successful out-of-print oregon uncommon books which gully immense crowds of the world's literate lovers. The town, which is location to conscionable 2,000 people, is known arsenic the Town of Books.

The archetypal halt for publication worms visiting this charming colony has to beryllium Richard Booth’s Bookshop - a sprawling store which spans 3 floors. Built successful 1886 by Robert Williams and Sons Ltd, the store connected 44 Lion Street was the largest commercialized gathering and archetypal Limited Company successful the marketplace municipality of Hay connected Wye.

Now, it hosts Pilates classes and publication clubs arsenic good arsenic selling each sorts of lit from classics to modern hits. You could easy suffer yourself successful this store for respective hours.

But of course, each that browsing volition person you gathering an appetite truthful wherefore not cheque retired the the Mezzanine Bar which services the cinema successful the aforesaid building.

If books aren’t your thing, wherefore not caput down to Hay Castle and immerse yourself successful history?

Part Norman, portion Jacobean and portion Victorian, Hay Castle has been a location to invaders, patriots’ citadel, state manor and a world-famous bookshop.

It’s the determination of the satellite celebrated Hay Literary Festival which runs for 10 days each twelvemonth attracting thousands of visitors.

You tin research the remains of the castle which see a four-storey support and a beauteous arched gateway.

In the warmer months (or present if you’re brave) you tin bask the large outdoors by kayaking on the Wye - the stream which spans much than 100 miles.

As you upwind on the sleepy river, beryllium definite to look retired for the wildlife specified arsenic kingfishers, herons, cormorants, swans and otters.