Hay Castle Events

As well as tours and exhibitions, we hold a variety of events here at Hay Castle. You can see upcoming events and buy tickets below. For our past events listings please click here.

Printing the Moon

with Hay Letterpress Guild

Saturday 8 November 2025, 10am Venue: Hay Castle Great Hall

Come and celebrate the beginning of winter by making a moon print. As you print the silver circle, the word MOON will magically appear, making a beautiful and unique image to frame and treasure. Hay Letterpress Guild and two tabletop printing presses will be in the Great Hall, making lunar print magic.

There is a small charge for printing a moon.

FREE EVENT

Will Barnes Quartet

A night of Jazz at the Castle

Saturday 24 January 2026, 7:30pm Venue: Hay Castle Great Hall

Following the critical acclaim of their debut album Source of the Severn, the Will Barnes Quartet returns with Outside the Light—a bold and expressive new chapter in their artistic journey. This second album deepens the group’s exploration of the interplay between jazz improvisation and the evocative landscapes of Mid Wales and the Welsh Marches. Through a collection of original compositions, the album weaves lyrical beauty with intricate rhythmic interplay.

Led by guitarist and composer Will Barnes, the quartet features pianist Jack Gonsalez, bassist Aidan Thorne, and drummer James Batten—an ensemble recognised for its tight chemistry and compelling live performances. Their sound pays homage to jazz greats such as Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, and Oscar Peterson, while forging a distinct voice rooted in contemporary expression.

The quartet has performed at major UK venues and festivals, including Pizza Express Jazz Club (Soho), Hay Festival, Brecon Jazz Festival, and BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends. Source of the Severn earned praise from critics, with MOJO highlighting their “springy deftness… cool precision… serious chops,” and The Jazz Mann describing the album as “evocative, intelligent… contemporary.”

Outside the Light showcases a group in full creative stride, offering audiences an immersive evening of modern jazz that’s both emotionally resonant and musically sophisticated.

★★★★

“Springy deftness… Cool precision… Serious chops…”

Andy Cowan, Mojo

“They are superlative musicians!”

Adam Walton, BBC Radio Wales