Hay-on-Wye Thursday market is a good one. Just nestling in the northernmost part of the Breckon Beacons National Park, this town is world-famous as the town of books. Market traders have a beautiful backdrop of the Black Hills, old-style listed buildings and narrow alleys.
The first Hay Festival of Literature & Arts first came about in 1988 and has since been described (by Bill Clinton) as “The Woodstock of the Mind”. But the Thursday market stallholders sell everything but books! On the day we visited there were stalls selling charcuterie, cider, whole foods, vegetables, jewellery, patisserie, crafts, pizza, bread, plants, coffee and so much more! There were lots of interesting and attractive looking stalls making the whole shopping experience exciting. From popping into antique and craft shops to browsing the craft stalls in the Buttermarket, every corner you turned there was a delight for the senses!
While there did not appear to be any specific advertising for this market other than a Facebook market page, the market was extremely well attended. It was October half-term week and despite the fact that there were no signs showing where the market was, its location was unmissable in this small town and the market was buzzing. Most cafe customers were bursting out onto the pavements (or was that because of Covid-rules?) and there was a gentle flow of folk walking up and down the levels from the top market under the Castle to the bottom bit by the Clock Tower. There may well have been around 40 stalls that all looked busy.
I chatted with John from GrainManGoods.com with his handmade wood and leather goods who has been trading for about a year and how lockdown changed his life direction!
| Pitch Cost | £14 (depending on if you are at the top or at the bottom of the market?) |
| Contact for Stalls | Emily Daw: market@hay-on-wye.co.uk or John Evans (01497) 820590 |
| Market Day | Thursday |
| Market Times | 9.00 – 2.30 |
| Parking | Lots of Parking |
| Facilities | Public loos at top and at bottom of town |
| Added Benefits | A tourist destination with people about throughout the year |
We absolutely loved being a trader at this market. The camaraderie and ambience among stallholders, shopkeepers and customers is excellent. Hay is a very civilised town, the market being incredibly well supported by the locals. If ever there was a town that blended in with its market, it’s Hay-on-Wye.
Happy Trading!