History records the romantic and passionate tenor of life on these borderlands over the centuries

Hay-on-Wye is well known for hosting the International Literary Festival, where famous names and faces may be seen wandering the medieval lanes in relaxed informality.

Hay attracts and hosts a high percentage of creative artists, craftspeople and writers, at the same time providing the necessary privacy essential to the creative process. There are many arts and crafts galleries, 36 second-hand bookshops, plus folk, music and theatre offerings throughout the four seasons.

There is a local Thursday market brimming with organic and homegrown produce, and there are award-winning restaurants and cafés, as well as spiritual retreats and activities on offer. Hay even has its own local hermit living in the mountains.

The scenery is amongst the most stunning in the British Isles, providing fabulous walking, riding, canoeing, hang-gliding and fishing opportunities. Mountains and secret valleys, rivers, hidden streams and waterfalls are the normal tenor of this landscape. There are also Arthur and Merlin sites to explore, plus many small and wonderful old churches tucked into the landscape, along with the pubs.