The Castlefields

The Castlefields is niftily set for well-known walks in its surrounding countryside, like the Wye Valley Walk running 136 miles along the river and through the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It's also local to Wye fishing and to Offa's Dyke for another hike, all in highly scenic surrounds. Hay-on-Wye's many bookshops are four miles from base; if you're in town on a Thursday check out the farmer's market and if you're in there in early June trot along to the world famed Hay Festival. Very active types – you might want to exercise off all the Castlefields tipples and vittles – can wend their way to the Brecon Beacons about 20 miles away and have a go at climbing Pen-Y-Fan, the highest peak in south Wales, or, somewhat less actively, take in some local horse riding, canoeing or cycling.