HAY-ON-WYE, June 27 — For families seeking a getaway with genuine character, a former pub that operated for around 200 years in the heart of this Welsh book town is drawing steady bookings this summer. Hay Market House, once a tavern for around two centuries, is now a restored holiday let that sleeps up to four guests. The property is available through Luxury Cottages, and its story is written into its very walls.
The building is believed to be one of the oldest in Hay-on-Wye, with an exterior that dates back to the 1700s. Inside, the restoration has preserved original features — uneven floors, exposed architectural details, and a narrow staircase leading up to the attic suite.
What this means for a small family or a couple is a home spread across four floors, with space to breathe. The ground floor holds an open-plan living and dining area with a wood-burning stove, and a well-equipped adjoining kitchen. Outside, a secluded courtyard garden offers a private spot for outdoor dining, complete with garden furniture and a gas barbecue.
The lower ground floor tells its own story. Once the building’s beer cellar, it has been converted into a cosy second sitting room beneath a vaulted brick ceiling.
It is the kind of quiet nook where the human side of a holiday — reading, talking, simply being still — finds its natural home. Upstairs, the first-floor master bedroom features a super-king-size bed, a seating area, and an en-suite bathroom with a bath and shower over. On the second floor, the attic suite offers a double bedroom with an adjoining sitting room that contains a foldaway single bed.
The layout works for couples or for those bringing a child along. Behind the brick-and-mortar appeal is the location. Hay Market House sits within walking distance of Hay-on-Wye’s renowned bookshops, independent boutiques, cafés, pubs, restaurants, and its weekly market.
For visitors who come for the town’s literary reputation, the property is particularly well placed. For now, this historic townhouse is proving that history, when handled with care, still makes for a comfortable home away from home.
The question for travellers is simply how soon they can book.
