Activities | Things to do | River Wye | Hay on Wye | Hereford

The area itself is simply stunning. The Welsh countryside is beautiful and the locals we met long the way were so friendly.

- Simon, September 2023

Breathe. Escape to the countryside. On the Offas Dyke path. A walkers paradise.

At the southern end of the Radnorshire hills, 20 minutes north of the Black Mountains, and 30 minutes east of the Brecon Beacons, welcome to stunning countryside on the England/Wales border. Steeped in history and agricultural heritage, a truly "get away from it all" place to stay.

The Offa's Dyke path runs by just three hundred yards or so from the Wagon, an hour and a half walk to the north brings to you to Gladestry (home of the Royal Oak pub). Two hours the other way lies Hay-on-Wye, a beautiful book town with lots of independent retailers.

This is both foodie heaven, and a walkers dream.

Royal Oak, Chapters, Casa Bianca, Shepherds Parlour, The Cosy Cafe, The Cattle Shed, The Cider Barn, Tomatitos, The Harp, The Boat, The Rhydspence. Foodie heaven. So spoilt for choice

GLADESTRY

The Royal Oak

A cosy and inviting, family and dog friendly pub offering delicious home cooked food using local produce with a brilliant selection of local beers, cask-conditioned ales, ciders, wines & spirits served by landlords Dave and Sarah.

HAY ON WYE

Chapters

A seasonal menu which highlights the fantastic produce from the local area. Holders of a Michelin green star for sustainable gastronomy. A special dining experience.

Shepherds Parlour

A small coffee shop, visit for home-made cake, delicious coffee, lunches and of course Shepherds Ice Cream - made with sheeps milk.

The Cosy Cafe

Set in the heart of Hay, this Cafe is the perfect place to relax and grab a bite to eat. Enjoy great coffee, tasty cakes and wholesome food.

The Old Black Lion

A daily range of delicious dishes, served daily - including Monday evenings, a rarity in this area! The ingredients are always seasonal and wherever possible locally sourced.

Tomatitos Tapas Bar

Food made from the best ingredients sourced locally -from artisan bread to the best seasonal veg. The wines and beers are, of course, largely sourced from Spain.

KINGTON

The Cattle Shed

The café is open seven days a week, serving delicious refreshments made with locally-sourced ingredients. You can also enjoy a laid-back, candle-lit evening meal from the a la carte menu, available Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

OLD RADNOR

The Harp Inn

The menu comprises home-cooked and mainly locally-sourced food and offers simple pub classics alongside imaginative modern dishes.

PREMBRIDGE

The Cider Barn

A full à la carte menu and a Café menu available at lunchtime. Nibbles are also available to have with drinks.The menu changes frequently to feature whatever is in season.

RHYDSPENCE

The Rhydspence Inn

Serving classic British Cuisine using as much local produce as possible. All desserts are made in house, with new options being added regularly.

WHITNEY ON WYE

The Boat Inn

A full range of homemade food -mains, bar snacks, sandwiches and Sunday lunches. All food is prepared in-house, ingredients are sourced locally and are seasonal.

Whitney Bridge

Now part of the Casa Bianca Italian Restaurant group. A taste of Italy, with flavours inspired by the southern coastal regions.

Bee keeping, horse riding or donkey walking? Or maybe bike or canoe hire? Hay on Wye, Hereford and the River Wye are all close by.

Go canoeing or kayaking on the River Wye. Wild swimming in the Wye or Farmers Welsh Lavender. We're on the Offas Dyke Path, surrounded by walkers paradise.

Axe throwing? Archery? Kubb? Molkky? Stige Try something different at the Viking Games.

BEE KLEEPING EXPERIENCE

An on site experience! Get hands on experience with honey bees and learn about the workings of their hive.

https://www.cherrytreehives.com/#portfolio

HORSE RIDING

Bryngwyn Riding School is just 2 miles down the road. The more energetic can follow the public footpath up over Newchurch Hill to get there.

https://www.ridinginwales.com/hacks

CYCLE HITRE

https://www.drovercycles.co.uk/

CANOE HIRE

https://canoehire.co.uk/

https://www.ultimate-canoeandkayak.co.uk/canoe-hire-hay-on-wye/

DONKEY WALKING

Walk a miniature donkey in theBrecon Beacons.

https://gooddayout.co.uk/experiences/donkey-walks-in-wales/

VIKING GAMES

Try your hand at Axe Throwing, Archery, Bullrings, Kubb, Molkky or Stige - or the less Viking, Paintball.

https://thevikinggames.co.uk/

WALKING

We're happy to provide details and route maps for local routes, including The Offas Dyke Path which runs through the village here. There is also an OS map in the Wagon for your use. if you prefer a guided walk then https://www.walkhay.co.uk/.

WILD SWIMMING

For wild swimming, the closest destinations are The Warren in Hay on Wye, for swimming in the River Wye, (be aware that the Wye is a fast flowing river) which has recently been granted official bathing water status, (meaning the water quality will be monitored regularly) and Farmers Welsh Lavender, a local lavender farm, who have a pond that is open for wild swimming, for a small fee.

Approximately an hours drive away are Washpool Irfon, beautiful with a waterfall close by, Skenfrith, in a pool formed by the River Monnow just outside the ruined walls of Skenfrith Castle, Llyn Cwm Llwch and Llyn y Fan Fawr, both sizeable lakes on the Brecon Beacons. As is Llyn y Fan Fach, which is about an hour and a half drive.

We aren’t wild swimmers ourselves so can only suggest places recommended online. Please investigate for yourself which destination is suited best to your level of experience.