Hay's castle for the 21st Century
Bringing thousands of people to Hay
- Opened in 2022 by King Charles III
- 127,000 people visited in first year (to May 2023)
- A superb new centre for storytelling, literature, and the arts
- Charitably owned and run by Hay Castle Trust
- The conclusion of a £7.5m capital restoration and regeneration project, taking 11 years
An energetic cultural centre
- A convivial meeting place
- An imaginative exhibition programme
- An intimate concert venue
- A learning centre
- Full of things to attract and entertain
The Castle is hugely grateful to its amazing body of volunteers who come in, day after day, to welcome the visitors and introduce them to Hay and its Castle.
What's currently on?
The Castle draws visitors to Hay
Open all year round
The Castle opens throughout the year and welcomes hundreds of visitors to the town every week. These visitors come, not just at Festival time, but in those five cold months between November and March when the town might otherwise feel quite bleak. Commercially, it's godsend for the traders.
The Castle’s magnetism boosts tourism and benefits all those who rely on the town’s attractiveness and footfall to underpin their trade and commerce.
Positioned so centrally, the Castle’s medieval gateway and stairs provide access directly into Hay’s town centre and, most importantly, to its independent shops and traders.
The Castle is for everyone
Visitors
Businesses
Businesses
The Castle welcomes over 127,000 visitors a year.
Businesses
Businesses
Businesses
We think around 250 local businesses benefit from the Castle's presence.
Volunteers
Businesses
Volunteers
Over 50 volunteers act as enthusiastic helpers and guide visitors through the Castle's history.
Children
Businesses
Volunteers
The Castle encourages children to enjoy its stories and workshops - or just dressing up.
Festival-goers
Festival-goers
Festival-goers
Hay thrives on festivals bringing newcomers to the town.
Students
Festival-goers
Festival-goers
Learning and literacy are key charitable puposes. We support the work of Black Mountain College.
Shoppers
Festival-goers
Culture-lovers
Dozens of independent shopkeepers a stone's through from the Castle make Hay a very attractive destination.
Culture-lovers
Festival-goers
Culture-lovers
Concerts and exhibitions attract all-comers to watch, listen and learn.