The Swan at Hay Hotel
About the Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel
- This Georgian hotel is a former coaching inn on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Hay-on-Wye
- The hotel has two AA Rosettes and serves local and seasonal cuisine; even the crockery is from a local craft store
- You can enjoy scenic walks, discover antique treasures and then head back to the hotel and cwtch up in a corner, with your nose in a good book
Overview
The Swan at Hay, part of the Interesting Hotels group, is in Hay-on-Wye, famous for its book shops, cafés, antiques and bric-a-brac shops. It is also home to the Hay Festival of Literature & Arts, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary.
The property, one of the oldest pubs in Hay, is a former coaching inn, built in 1812. Today it combines modern décor with olde-worlde features, having recently undergone a £2-million refurbishment.
The AA awards the hotel two Rosettes, praising the "innovative menu showcasing the talents of the chef and his team". There is a choice of dining options including the 1812 Restaurant, the Market Bar and the Garden Room.
Previous guests who have bedded down here include poet Seamus Heaney, Hollywood star Kathleen Turner and comedian Johnny Vegas.
Hay Castle, a medieval fortification and 17th-century mansion house, is less than five minutes' walk away. The River Wye, which runs through Hay-on-Wye, is great for canoeing and kayaking.
Offa's Dyke Path, Britain's longest ancient monument, is 10 minutes' walk away and follows the border between England and Wales. The route runs along the ridge of the Black Mountains, passes through Hay and continues towards Kington. There are lots of watering holes and tea rooms along the way.
Crickhowell, a picturesque town nestled in the Usk Valley, is approximately 30 minutes' drive away. Abergavenny, a market town in Monmouthshire, is 40 minutes' drive away. This food mecca has an annual autumn food festival as well as regular food and craft markets.