30/04/2024
We are always on the Hay Road during the Festival.. Please say hi! We love to meet all the visitors dogs :)
⭐️The 2024 Hay Festival () program is now out! (And we’re suffering a massive case of FOMO…)
If you’re planning to go, here are the tips we learned when we travelled the 17,000 km to be there last year:
1. Join the FRIENDS of Hay mostly for the priority queue for each session. With over 200,000 people going over the 11 days this is a must get.
2. You won’t get a FROW seat unless you’re a VIP. If you’re second row junkies like us then start queuing 20 mins from the session. You’ll have plenty of friends in line with you.
3. Take a KEEP CUP.
There are no disposable cups at Hay. There’s a deposit system for plastic cups but next time we’d take our own, and a water bottle to refill.
4. Dress in LAYERS. The weather varies from freezing (for Aussies) needing a knit under a puffer to t-shirt weather. Sometimes all on the same day. Bring it all. And throw in a light rain jacket. Oh, and it’s very casual. Leave the heels at home.
5. Buy your MERCH on Day One. We both bought the Hay jute bags and used them everyday for books, clothing layers, water etc.
6. If you want a book signed don’t book back-to-back sessions. The signing lines are INSANE, especially for the super popular authors. We love that you buy the book AFTER it’s signed which saves a bit of time.
7. There are plenty of food options at the festival site but if you have back to back sessions you will need to bring snacks and keep them in your Hay jute bag.
8. We stayed in two places. One in England, 25 mins from Hay, one in Wales, 10 mins from Hay. Both fab. It’s hard to get places in Hay-on-Wye. We had a car and pre-booked parking closest to the site. If you’re happy to walk 15 mins then you can find options at half the cost near the town.
9. Try at least one - made locally from sheep’s milk. It’s a festival tradition. Be prepared for long lines.
10. Keep Thursday morning free for the - a market day that has been there since the dawn of time.
11. Book one of the guided walks. It’s a beautiful spot to explore.
12. Australians: pretend that Pounds are Dollars 😳.
❓Do you have other tips?
Hay Festival