The first OS map of Hay, 1889. Notice the Toll House on Hay Bridge, the railway, tannery, Town Hall (Cheese Market), corn mills and Hay Union Workhouse.

Housing now occupies the site of Hay Castle kitchen gardens and the main car park is located on the old Castle Orchard. In 1889 there were many ore inns in Hay, offering stabling for horses and accommodation for travellers.

The modern map of Hay displays the route of three short walks. The Hay Heritage Trail offers an historic tour of the town, with a longer loop following the Wye Valley Walk, along the old, medieval town walls, or a shorter route that keeps to the pavements and the town centre.

The Hay Heritage Trail is available to download as a PDF in the link below. The Bailey River Trail follows the old railway line upstream towards the conservation area at the Warren. Both routes are illustrated with archive photographs and modern pictures to help you find your way. The Bailey River Trail is written as a story, Eliza’s Trail, that will appeal to children and families.

Download the Bailey River Trail PDF

From this project Hay History Group have established Hay Tours, who run guided cultural heritage tours of Hay. If you would like to do the Hay Heritage or Bailey River tours with a local guide, who can talk to you about the history of the town while you stroll through the streets please book a tour. Tours run year-round with a range of routes, all of which are non-strenuous, friendly and informal.