FOOD | FOOD | FOOD We are running self-catering properties, and our kitchens are really well equipped, however we all want to know the best places to eat when on holiday. Fortunately in Hay-on-Wye, and close by, we are well catered for. We have a fantastic market every Thursday - and you need to get there as early as possible - It’s all over by lunchtime.

At present there is a food war taking place in Hay - where the new ‘kid on the block’, [ Richard Booth’s Bookshop Café ] is upping the ante in terms of both quality and value for money.

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| Michael Eccles |

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This is great news for all of us, as competition on the quality and value of food will mean that our more established providers will have to ‘up’ their game! I have always felt that an innovative chief should be able to source and prepare local produce, serve it up to Michelin Star standards at a reasonable price, and still make a profit - in my opinion the only thing that stops this from being the case is lethargy - and at last, we have someone in Hay eager to shake things up, and prove a point.

So below, I am listing the food providers in Hay in the order in which Séza and I choose to visit them - and we have visited every one in Hay ourselves, and check up on them from time to time.

Richard Booth’s Bookshop Café  (01497 820 322)    Austerity Britain's Best Bargain

LOCAL SUPPLIES  Our local butcher is Small Farms (Tom Bounds) in Broad Street - 01497 820558 - really top quality local and organic meat - very tasty Herefordshire fillet steak, call him, mention us and you will get the best available. The number one Green Grocer is Stuart Pritchard of Castle Green Grocer in Castle Street. Pop into Londis in High Town for bits and bobs - family run - fantastic bread - say Hi to Alison and Debbie. The Hay Health Food Store in Lion Street is our local delicatessen - they have excellent oil based croissant. And we have a Co-op if needs must. All these are minutes away on foot! We will give you a Map to find all these places when you arrive.

The Black Lion 01497 820841 | Within a stone’s throw, and if you don’t want to drive, The Black Lion is the place to book for Dinner - that is until Richard Booth’s Bookshop Café starts to open in the evening..... But even then, the Black Lion is consistently good.

The Blue Boar 01497 820884 | A really atmospheric pub, and worth a visit - the food is pub food - which is great, but personally it seems a little overpriced. However, having said that, we have had good reports in our Guest Book!

The Three Tuns 01497 821855 | The best place in town for traditional Sunday Lunch - without a doubt - excellent beef and pork. During the week it seems to revert to ‘pub food’ and is certainly not living up to the ‘Streets ahead of most gastropubs’ accolade from The Independent, when it first opened.... They have a new Chef and things are looking up .... Let us know what you think, and I’ll update this page. But Sunday lunch is a treat!

OUTSIDE OF HAY Now we start getting to the gastro-brigade. In our opinion, the best time to visit a real gastro provider - Michelin Star included - is for lunch. It is always cheaper, and just as good as dinner. The further down you go in this list, the better they get.

The River Café - Glasbury 01497 847007 | I like the River Café, it is family run, mostly Italian, the family that is! great pasta, pretty popular with us locals, and ten minutes drive away. Do check they are open.

The Felin Fach Griffin 01874 620111 | About 20 minutes away, on the road to Brecon, this is our nearest serious eating establishment. Check it out! As an aside, you may find portraits of Séza on their walls - by the portrait painter Eugene Fisk. :)

The Stag Inn - Titley 01544 230221 | Now we are getting into the big league here - you will need to book! It is 30 minutes drive, but boy is it good... Achieved one star status in 2011.... and don’t even mention it on their website!

“Steve Reynolds is a splendid cook.  Fine ingredients are just the beginning.  He knows what to do with them...” Jonathan Meades, The Times.

The Hardwick - Nr Raglan 01873 854220 | In 2010, named the AA’s Best Restaurant of the Year in Wales, and Gastropub of the Year at the National Restaurant Awards. It is about 45 minutes drive - a country pub and restaurant, owned and run by chef Stephen Terry who is hot on the heels of a Michelin Star - he came from The Walnut Tree - see below.

The Crown at Whitebrook 01600 860607 | It will take you an hour to get there - fabulous countryside en route - but you are in for a treat. The accolades go on and on! Head chef is James Sommerine.

La Bécasse - Ludlow 01584 872 325 | Head Chef Will Holland won his first Michelin Star in 2009 within 18 months of opening this restaurant. He took over the premises of Hibiscus (two stars) when they moved to London. Ludlow is under an hour away and well worth a visit while you are here in Hay. Lost his star in 2011, but still outstanding....

THe Bell at Skenfrith 01600 750235 | Just 50 minutes away with a beautiful drive through the Golden Valley, The Bell boasts its own organic kitchen garden and has just appointed a new Head Chef (2012): Michael Fowler who while at Wilton Court was awarded Restaurant of the Year in the Flavours of Herefordshire Awards 2009 and two Silver awards in the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards for the Restaurant. He and the Bell hold two AA Rosettes.

The Walnut Tree - Nr Abergavenny 01873 852797 | Under an hour away, The Walnut Tree has regained its former glory and was awarded a Michelin Star in 2010. It is run by Shaun Hill - who gained Michelin’s while at the Merchant House Restaurant in Ludlow, and is jointly owned with William Griffiths who owns and runs the Angel Hotel in Abergavenny - very stylish.

THE BEST IN HAY Here is our choice for you in Hay - always attractive to walk for food and drink, and then be able reel back home!

THE BIG BOYS - THE MICHELIN STAR BRIGADE Here’s where we reach the Stars! The Stag at Titley is the newest entrant and the closest. The rest are just under an hour away. Two are North of us, and the other two South. Fantastic drives in each direction!

booth’s bookshop café

Pictured below are some of the dishes we have eaten at Booths! ~ Fantastic! ~

Jules - Weobly 01544 318 206 | About 20 minutes away, on the road to Leominster in Weobly - due East of Hay. Lovely ambience in this small ‘Black & White’ village restaurant where the owner is also the chef. It is old fashioned French cordon bleu, and none the worse for it. Jules is a little quirky - which can mean you are in for a bit of Basil Faulty entertainment - don’t take it personally! The food is excellent. You must book.

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You will be spoilt for choice. There is something for everyone: Shops in the town including a great selection of clothes, gifts and antiques - in addition to the 30+ bookshops!

Then there are Art and Craft Galleries, Films, Film Festival, Literature Festival, Jazz Festival, Philosophy & Music Festival, Spas, Gym, Open Gardens, River Walks, Gorgeous Scenery to explore -

A huge range of outdoor activities including Fishing (see also Wye & Usk Foundation - Call them they will tell you the best places to fish and organise everything for you), Walking, Hay Walking Festival, Pony Trekking, Canoeing, Rock Climbing, Paragliding Gliding.

Clay Shooting, Formal & Quarry Shooting (Register and find your preference - very easy - best research site on the net for shooting) Our local shoots are: The Tregoyd Shoot (about 9 miles from Hay on the Felin Newydd House Estate). Call Ben on +44 (0)7711 677 726, or email ben@hardwickfarms.co.uk; Glanusk Estate Shoot. (about 17 miles from Hay). Call Harry on +44 (0)1873 810 414, or email harry@glanuskestate.com or call Steve Bignell on +44 (0)7878 948 528; Bryn Shoot (about 19 miles from Hay). Call Roger on +44 (0)7807 018 110, or email info@brynshoot.co.uk.

Caving, High Level Ropes, Raft Building, White Water Rafting, Mountain Biking, Archery, Land Carting, Golf, and Ongoing Cultural Events.

We have a folder of information in each property and for more information please pop into the Hay Tourist Office next to the main car park. Guests are also free to enjoy the countryside that surrounds the town (5 minutes in any direction). We have a plethora of footpaths, and an Ordinance Survey map in each property.

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Luxury award-winning self-catering holiday cottages and holiday house for hi-spec uk rental vacations in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, UK.

This is the standard everyone should be able to match and I would urge you to take a visit. It is Hay’s gastronomic ‘Must Do’. But don’t take my word for it - Mr. Pernickety said recently in Broadsheep (Jan 2011) -    

“A first glance at the day’s menu immediately conveyed that here was a place that was not going to dig deep into the wallet. The most expensive luncheon dish, from a choice of six, was ‘Char-grilled aubergine, goat’s curd, pomegranate, mint and faro salad’, all for £6.50........

Chef Julia Robson seems to have found ways of producing an exciting menu without actually paying over the odds for the ingredient - actually any good chef could do it if they wanted - they usually just don’t.

“Richard Booth’s Bookshop Café now offers the best food in Hay and undoubtably the best value - probably in Wales and Herefordshire too.” And that too was the opinion of the BBC Olive Award Judges. (Open until 4pm - Great for Sunday Brunch - Closed Monday & Tuesdays).

WINNER of the 2011

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Unfortunately for us Julia Robson is no longer at the Café (and in case you are a budding entrepreneur, she is looking to open a restaurant of her own and needs investors - let me know if you are interested. When she does, I am confident her restaurant will be a massive success). However Elizabeth Haycox, who with her husband Paul owns Booth’s Bookshop, the Castle and the Golf-Course - has the highest possible standards - and the food is still outstanding.

In the picture to the right (above) you can see Elizabeth with her back to us in the Café. She is a tireless and accomplished manager who leads by example - and I for one am a huge fan.