Now to understand my love of this place you have to understand my love of books. I am constantly reading!

When I was five I read an Enid Blyton called ‘Bumpy and his Bus’. When I think of reading this book I remember curling up on the end of my top bunk surrounded by teddy bears. Then all of sudden I’m walking through the garden, I can feel the wet dew soaking through my slippers, I see the bus pull up, I feel the heat as the door opens, I smell th mustiness of the interior and the coolness of the metal handrail as I climb on…

I remember this book as if it happened, I met Bumpy!

Since then I have never not been reading a book. Now whilst my fella doesn’t read to much (more of a computer guy) the rest of his family do and it was through them that I heard about second hand bookshop heaven or, more specifically, capital of the world.

It took me years to actually plan a trip to Hay-on-Wye, no idea why, on days off my mind automatically goes to climbing mountains I guess. But I can honestly say I wish I had gone sooner, this place definately lived up to expectations.

After parking up my next plan was food. To say I was spoilt for choice would be an understatement, they had everything from fast food to nice resturaunts, I settled on a jacket potato in a little cafe.

Once full it was time to focus on the reason I was there. BOOKS!

True to reputation there are more second hand book shops here than anywhere else in the world. The reason for this is the King of Hay, have a read about him, he is a fascinating character to say the least!

All the books down here where £1 and you just pay in the shop next door.

The historical buildings in this town were just as impressive as the amount of book shops, the day I went they also had the weekly market going on in the streets outside the castle, selling fresh produce as well as your usual market tat.

After a once round the town I decided to have a break before actually shopping so I wandered over to the towns centre piece, Hay Castle.

In typical fashion I had no idea they had a castle until I walked around a corner and it was just there. It was a good price to get in a free return for a year, this is also where, unsuprisingly, The King of Hay lived.

View from the roof of Hay Castle

As with any tourist attraction though the best bit is the gift shop and, unsuprisingly, it is full of books. As I was browsing I noticed an entire area dedicated to my favorite author Barbara Erskine, I’d been thinking for a while this place had been made for me and now I was sure.

I picked up her latest book and joined the que to pay, a new volunteer was operating the till and so had a member of management looking over him. Being the friendly girl that I am I sparked up a converstaion with her whilst he was serving the customer ahead of me.

My first question was of course about ghosts – its an old castle!

There are some there and it has been added to mine and Sians list of potential locations but as the conversation progressed she asked what I was buying. I showed her the Barabra Erskine book and she immediately offered me a signed limited edition copy instead.

I couldn’t believe it. Turns out Barbara lives in Hay! (The give away should have been that her first book is calld ‘Lady of Hay’) She does all her book launches at the castle so they get all the limited edition stuff. There have been some spooky leyline happenings during these book launches too.

Walking out of the castle with a huge grin, not just because of my experience in the castle, but because now I was going to shop! I picked one shop and was happy with my choice, spending a few hundred pounds here I did call it a day after.

Murder and Mayhem book store in Hay-on-Wye

This has everything for the darker soul. I brought a collection of HP Lovecreaft, a book by Alisatar Crowley and a first edition ‘Ghost Stories’ book! There may have been a couple of other bits thrown in there too 🙂

No matter what type of book you are into, whether your after a cheap holiday read or a collectable, you will find it in Hay. With over 30 independent second hand book stores, the biggest containing over 200,000 books (Hay Cinema Bookshop) you will find something to take home.

Its just such a lovely little town, books yes but also history, good food and really friendly people. I will be heading back as soon as I have saved enough money for the shopping!

Lots Of Love Kel xx