5 Best Shopping in Hay-on-Wye, Wales

Founder Richard Booth once tried to declare Hay an independent kingdom—with himself as king. Richard died in 2019 but his bookstore lives on and has a huge collection from all over the world, piled haphazardly across two labyrinthine floors. There's also a tiny cinema (around the corner on Brook Street) and a café along with regular events.

A former movie theater, Hay Cinema Bookshop isn't the prettiest place, but its collection of books about cinema is unrivaled. That's just a fraction of the 200,000 or so titles on offer.

True to its name, this shop specializes in crime and horror. Head upstairs for a cheaper and more eclectic selection, including old pulp novellas.

This shop features a mixed bag of local crafts, internationally sourced vintage home decor, and a curated collection of nonfiction books. The on-site café is the place to go for vegetarian food and good coffee in town, and even its chairs and tables are for sale.