Eric Abel from Hay sent us this interesting fact about the Hay town clock: "It's in the intro of the Antiques Roadshow and it makes a fine picture".
The resident population of Hay on Wye is around. 1,450 An estimated 80,000 people attend the town's annual literary festival held during the last week in May. Throughout the year, the town attracts around 500,000 tourists. It's estimated the Literary Festival adds around £3m to the local economy.Hay was the world's 1st Book Town. There are 39 bookshops in and around Hay.The town has about 1 bookshop for every 36 residents.There are more than one million books in the town. The first Hay Literary Festival was held in 1988. The Welsh name for Hay-on-Wye is Y Gelli (translation = "The Grove").
your comments
Evie Jones from Cardiff
I have lived in Hay for about 5 years now, and i love it! At first it was pretty hard to adjust to country living, as i had previously lived in a large city, but now i couldt imagine living anywhere else!xxxx
Thu Oct 9 11:37:14 2008
Catherine Stonehaven, Brussels, Belgium
Love your town.
Fri Oct 26 08:21:12 2007
Hannah Butler, West Yorkshire
I spent my childhood summer holidays & half terms in nearby Madley, where my grandad was the vicar for over 40 years. A few times I went to Hay, but it wasn't until my adulthood,w hen I'd encouraged my husband to stay in Hay, that I actually went back. We camped (firstly out of Hay, then eventually found the campsite at the top of the hill over the river). It's a beautiful town with plenty to do, can't wait to bring my daughter. I have been when the Literary Festival was on, and it wasn't pleasant, too many people (there are too many when the festival isn't on!) Lots of biking and walking.
Thu Jul 12 12:39:56 2007
Louis Fernandez, Cardiff
Hay on Wye is a lovely place, wanted to go there for years and spent a few happy hours there in 2003. Browsed the shops and castle, the shop owners were very helpful and books were awesome, but a few hours is not long enough, must go back soon.
Fri May 4 15:34:03 2007
Billy from Hay
It's all very well to mention how many millions the festival brings in, but no one mentions the very high social costs? It has truly destroyed the fabric of the town. If you want to see obscure literary people that most people haven't heard of, why not just hold the event at the Barbican? At least I wouldn't have any problems parking my car, getting to work, or having to put up with some of the rudest people I have had the misfortune to meet.
Sun Oct 16 02:13:24 2005
Nigel from Hereford
Hay is overpriced and overrated
Tue Oct 4 23:40:59 2005
H Carter Jones from Glasbury
Im doing my GCSE Geography courseworrk on Hay and I was wondering if anyone had any information as a tourist of hay?
Thu Sep 1 16:43:25 2005
steven from hay
If you can read after you are dead, the dead sea scrolls might be a good place to start.
Wed Jun 15 11:59:54 2005
Marion Woods
I've been to Hay a number of times now and I think it's a charming place. I've had lots of happy times there and look forward to having many more.
Fri May 27 13:28:54 2005
Eric Abel, Hay-on-Wye
Welcome to Andrea Valeria, is there any chance she can bring a Mariachi band with her, that would make my day.
Wed May 25 19:21:43 2005
Andrea Valeria from Cuernavaca, Mexico
Very excited about visiting your town for the book fair, any outlandish suggestions?
Fri May 13 04:34:09 2005
Tony and Marilyn from Western Australia
I went to school in Usk in the 1940s and '50s and first came to Hay on a school trip then. On returning in 2005 I am so pleased to see that the Wye valley in general and Hay in particular are as beautiful as ever. The Border Country remains one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Wed May 11 14:36:12 2005
Eric Abel, Hay
I must accept that 'rene' is trying to help me in my quest for understanding but my nervous tic is getting worse.
Sun Apr 10 21:34:54 2005
Eric Abel, Hay-on-Wye
I first came to Hay in 1941, from London and there were some very strange people living there. I fitted in so well I decided to come back and stay.
Mon Feb 14 17:44:42 2005
rene
perhaps Mr Abel is a Cartesian philosopher and would subscribe to the phrase "I read therefore I am" the banner seems to imply that "I read, therefore I might not be" which does seem logically inconsistent
Sat Feb 12 12:31:56 2005
Eric Abel from Hay
Every year the banner 'People say life is the thing, but I prefer reading' (as shown on the Hay page) is put up and the meaning escapes me. Can you read when your dead?
Thu Nov 25 18:05:35 2004
Add your facts, comments or queries here:
A few fascinating facts and figures about Hay on Wye - if you can add any more, 
