Learn more about the famous book town of Hay-on-Wye and ten of its best bookstores.
Hay-on-Wye proudly touts itself as the world’s first book town, and it’s easy to see where that pride comes from when you take a look at its many amazing bookshops.
Richard Booth’s Bookshop
Here’s the bookshop that started them all. Richard Booth established this shop in 1961 and was the first to get it in his head to turn Hay-on-Wye into a kingdom of books. He must’ve had a killer marketing plan, too, because it actually worked.
His secondhand bookshop is just as popular now as it’s ever been—probably even more so. Standing at three stories and holding a collection as interesting and varied as Hay’s own history, this is truly a must-visit if you’re ever in town.
North Books
This one is a relatively new bookshop located in Hay-on-Wye, opened in the autumn of 2022 and situated opposite of Hay Castle. Though many of Hay’s booksellers specialize in secondhand and rare finds, North has its eye on selling new books alongside cards, ceramics, candles, and tote bags. In other words, it’s got a little bit of everything.
And when I say “a little bit of everything,” I’m not kidding. Its selection ranges from contemporary fiction to fantasy and from Welsh literature to texts on environmentalism. It also runs a pop-up café every Friday morning.
Hay-On-Wye Booksellers
Like Richard Booth’s Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye Booksellers was one of the key players in making Hay a book town. It hosts a veritable cornucopia of secondhand books and antique volumes, stacked on shelves like an island cove full of hidden treasures.
In recent years, it has expanded its business online to extend its reach further than ever before. Granted, the website is a tad outdated, but it does the job, sure enough.
Murder and Mayhem
If you love a good mystery, you will find your people (and books) at Murder and Mayhem. This specialty shop carries the full range of detective stories, true crime, thrillers, horror novels, and its own dedicated section to Agatha Christie. It’s best known for its themed interior hearkening to the golden age of crime and turn-of-the-century horror.
And now for the eternal question: If you love a good mystery, is it a blessing that a bookstore specializing in mysteries makes its mystery novels all too easy to find… or is it a curse?
Green Ink Booksellers
Established in 2018, Green Ink Booksellers is a relatively new addition to the Hay-on-Wye literary scene, but it still manages to rub elbows with the best of them.
Its selection is relatively small, especially when compared to the sprawling collections of Richard Booth and Hay-On-Wye Booksellers—but what it lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in quality. The owners carefully curate their stock, whether secondhand or brand new and believe in the importance of face-to-face interaction and sharing a love of books with one another.
Addyman Books
Addyman Books is a well-established and beloved bookshop in Hay-on-Wye, founded in 1987 and a prominent fixture of the town’s literary landscape. It’s actually part of a trio that includes Murder and Mayhem and the Addyman Annexe.
Like Murder and Mayhem, Addyman has several themed rooms, running the gambit of an art room with shelving from a Transylvanian church, a steampunk room, a Bat Cave, and a Myth and Legend Grotto. It sells books both new and old, with a generalist approach rather than its counterpart’s pinpoint focus.
The Poetry Bookshop
For a different type of specialized shop, look no further than the Poetry Bookshop. Dedicated exclusively to poetry since 1979, it offers the most comprehensive selection of secondhand and antiquarian poetry books available in all of the United Kingdom.
In addition to new and secondhand poetry publications, you can find rare and out-of-print volumes containing American, African, and Canadian poetry, in every form, meter, and style you can think of. (Plus quite a few you probably can’t.)
The Children’s Bookshop
Though a bit further off from the center of town than the rest of the places on this list, the Children’s Bookshop gives the impression of a secret fairy tale cottage in the woods—appropriate, given that it specializes in children’s literature.
This shop has a fantastic collection of vintage classics in particular and makes for the perfect escape if you’re ever feeling overwhelmed by the crowds.
Hay Cinema Bookshop
This store is packed so full of books, you can find shelves lined up outside with the overflow. Luckily, though, the flood of literature is well-organized inside. It even comes with maps to help you find your way around, and plenty of friendly staff to steer you in the right direction to find what you need. As someone who has difficulty discerning left from right, I appreciate that.
Gay on Wye
Though not the only LGBTQ+ friendly bookstore on the block, it’s definitely the loudest and proudest—it’s all right there in the name. It’s also the newest, having only opened in August 2023. Reviewers love the fun, welcoming atmosphere, plus the selection that caters specifically to the LGBTQ+ community.
Note: this shop is only open on the weekends, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly.
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Migz
K Lou
K. Lou is a writer born in the U.S. who found her way to Japan through a spiritual calling—or, more precisely, better access to tea. She writes about travel, culture, and the occasional creative piece, inspired by her enduring love of books. This love began in high school when K. Lou carried books around to avoid seeming odd while lost in thought. Once she started reading, she never stopped. With zero regrets, she continues to explore the written word and invites others to join her in celebrating its varied forms.
