Hay Castle Events

Come along and try some board games out with Dylan.

There is a great selection of games - many of which you may not have seen before. Have a go and if you have fun there are even some to buy too.

Session runs from 11am to 2pm in our Clore Education Space.

Join us for a colourful painting adventure inspired by the incredible Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, famous worldwide for her bold polka dots, vibrant colours, and imaginative pumpkin artworks.

In this workshop, young artists aged 6 and over can create their own canvas painting using acrylic paints. They’ll explore colour, pattern, and composition while designing unique polka dot pumpkin art. Along the way, we will learn some fun facts about Yayoi Kusama’s life and artistic journey, discovering how her love of repeating patterns and nature inspired her to become one of the worlds most celebrated contemporary artists.

Please bring an apron and wear clothes suitable for painting.
All materials provided.
Suitable for ages 6 and above
Parental supervision required

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Life Drawing is back for the Autumn Term 2026

The sessions take place in the Clore Learning Space every other Monday from 11am until 4pm.

Please bring your own materials - the sessions are self led

The sessions cost £18 for the full day from 11-4pm and £12 for a morning or afternoon session only.

The morning session starts at 11am so please arrive at about 10.45am
The afternoon session starts at 1:45pm so please arrive at least 10 mins beforehand

The model this week will be

11 - 12 - Drawing
12 - 12.15 - Break
12.15 - 1.15 - Drawing
1.15 - 1.45 - Lunch
1.45 - 2.45 - Drawing
2.45 - 3pm - Break
3 - 4pm - Drawing

Come and try the art of letterpress in a hands-on and enjoyable workshop.

Guided by Graeme Hobbs and Francesca Kay, you will print your own simple poster, using wood type and the Castle's own historic Columbian printing press. You will also print small cards and monograms, using vintage tabletop presses and metal type,
while learning some of the history of print, and how to make a good impression.

Please bring an apron and wear clothes suitable for a workshop using ink.
£45 per person

As a special Halloween treat we are showing the iconic comedy horror film - An American Werewolf in London - directed by John Landis and with some scenes filmed locally!

The story tells of two American hitchikers who are on a walking tour of Britain when they are attacked by a werewolf whose existence is consistently denied by the locals. The film includes groundbreaking special effects from the days before CGI, when models, makeup and special effects animatronics were used to create the werewolf scenes.

Apparently, Michael Jackson had never heard of John Landis until he saw American Werewolf and he was so impressed that he asked Landis to direct his Thriller video. Landis only agreed if he could make it into a short film, rather than the usual promotional video - and the resulting 13 minute film changed music videos forever. It also had a massive influence on a whole generation of directors including the likes of Spike Jonze who made the music video into an industry and provided the opportunity for channels like MTV to develop. And if you have been to see Christopher Nolan's Oddysey you might notice a heavy influence of American Werewolf on the Circe scene with Samantha Morton. Nolan has avoided using CGI and utilises similar methods to John Landis in order to turn the soldiers into pigs.

Although the story involves the two characters arriving on the Yorkshire Moors, these scenes were actually filmed on the road by Hay Bluff to Capel y Ffin and the Slaughtered Lamb pub was in fact a house in Crickadarn.

Come and see for yourself on October 30th with our screening in the Great Hall. Bring a cushion.

Bar open from 7pm - film starts at 8pm.

Life Drawing is back for the Autumn Term 2026

The sessions take place in the Clore Learning Space every other Monday from 11am until 4pm.

Please bring your own materials - the sessions are self led

The sessions cost £18 for the full day from 11-4pm and £12 for a morning or afternoon session only.

The morning session starts at 11am so please arrive at about 10.45am
The afternoon session starts at 1:45pm so please arrive at least 10 mins beforehand

The model this week will be

11 - 12 - Drawing
12 - 12.15 - Break
12.15 - 1.15 - Drawing
1.15 - 1.45 - Lunch
1.45 - 2.45 - Drawing
2.45 - 3pm - Break
3 - 4pm - Drawing

Calligraphy is recognised as a heritage craft in the UK. The classes at Hay Castle are designed to enthuse students about the joy of calligraphy through learning the basic skills and techniques, and to confidently write several calligraphic scripts based on historical manuscripts and contemporary work.

A five-week course designed for beginners and improvers. Beginners will be introduced to tools, materials and techniques whilst guided through the formation and structure of Foundation hand together with associated Roman Capitals. Improvers will be guided through a script depending upon their previous experience.

As experience grows, traditional pens will be introduced according to previous practice. A reference to primary sources will be used alongside examples of the tutor’s own work.

As the basic principles are understood, projects/homework will be assigned weekly to give opportunities for practising at home, applying self-evaluation and building confidence. There will be an emphasis on making mistakes to inform learning!

Students will receive group and individual demonstrations and tuition to support continual learning. As projects become more complex, layout, size, colour, spacing and so forth will be introduced and discussed.

This course is taught by experienced tutor and skilled professional calligrapher, Peter Lloyd.

Materials: Students will be able to purchase a lined paper pad and a beginner’s calligraphy pen directly from the tutor (at your own expense). Students may also bring any materials or equipment that they already own.


Dates: 3rd November to 8th December 2026 (with no class on 24th November)

Times: 1 pm to 4 pm, Tuesday

Level: Beginners and Improvers

Cost: £75 for five sessions (a cost of £15 per session; courses to be booked as a block)

14 tickets available

The Solstice Collective Wind Quintet with narrator Felix Ashley and puppeteers Jodie Yates and Eve Wilson will present Prokofiev's iconic and much-loved work for children 'Peter and the Wolf' in a performance enhanced by puppets specially commissioned for this event. In this musical tale, composed by Sergei Prokofiev in 1936, the narrator tells a folk story which the ensemble illustrates by using different instruments to play themes that represent each character in the story.

The Solstice Collective, graduates of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, are Maisy Shaw - flute, Anna Benton - oboe, Molly Bradley - clarinet, Gabriel Adshead - bassoon with Toby Johnson-Jones - French Horn.

Tickets: Children and under 25s - FREE / adults £15.

Discover the magic of light, colour and reflection in this fun craft workshop to build your own working kaleidoscope. Decorate your materials with winter-inspired paint, glitter, stickers, jewels, mirrors and washi tape before assembling your kaleidoscope. As you look through the finished kaleidoscope, you’ll be amazed by the ever-changing patterns and sparkling reflections created inside. Children will leave with a unique kaleidoscope to take home and enjoy throughout the winter season.

All materials will be provided - Please wear suitable clothes for messy fun.
Parental supervision required
Suitable for children aged 6 plus
10 tickets @ £6 per person

With more than 30 individual makers on show, join us at the Castle for an extravaganza of ideas for Christmas. Treat your friends, family, or yourself from a range of unique and inspiring crafts by local makers from ceramics, jewellery, glass, baskets, food gifts, clothing, photography, painting and much, much more.

Free entry all day.

A Child's Christmas is a double bill of two wonderful Christmas stories by two famous Welshmen - Dylan Thomas and Richard Burton.

Dylan Thomas ‘A Child's Christmas in Wales’ is back! We’re delighted to welcome Lighthouse Theatre back to the Castle with their wonderful evocation of a child's delight at the festive season.



£14.00
£8.00 concessions

7.00pm

We are excited to offer our first public ticketed paranormal investigation night led by K&M Paranormal who use traditional methods to take groups around the old buildings of the Borders.

The evening begins at 7pm and will run until midnight. People will be split into teams to explore different areas of the building.

Please note that this is not a tour, but an investigation so you will be taking part in the exploration rather than being taken on a guided tour.

Tea/Coffee provided - for dietary and allergy requirements, please bring your own snacks and soft drinks.

Minimum age to attend is 18.

24 tickets available.

The Writing Retreat For Authors-To-Be.

A castle retreat for new writers and book lovers in the famous book town of Hay-on-Wye. Meet authors and booksellers, write, browse the magical bookshops, and enjoy exclusive events.

Price Includes:

• bookshop tours and talks
• writing hours
• lunches, snacks, coffees, teas, juices and cakes
• group coaching & mindful activities
• delicious food and special experiences

Suitable for anyone who loves reading and has a writing project they’d like to explore.

You’ll meet expert guests for informal, cosy Q & As. There’ll be optional wellness activities to help you feel inspired and motivated. Team this with stunning countryside, a dreamy riverside location, vibrant local markets and delicious food, it’s the magical experience you’ll want to be part of.

We’re delighted to announce that the Weekend of Mistakes will return for its fourth outing on 19^th-21^st March 2027.

A local and international audience of professional and individual investors, students and the plain curious and eager-to-learn will return for WoM’s signature mix of sessions on economics and investment and the forces that shape them. Top theme for 2026: Money Beyond Borders – Global Currencies from Croesus to Crypto

Other planned subjects to include: AI – reports from the technology frontier; Where to invest in 2027 – Russell Napier at al.; Women’s Football – a different game; Atomic Fusion -sooner then you think; Merryn’s Investment Breakfast; Global art markets – absorbing the Boomers’ stash.

Join our panels of leading investors, economic and financial historians, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, political commentators and policy-makers - as usual with the lens of history much in evidence in interpreting our confused and volatile present.

Visit our website: the Weekend of Mistakes - and discover why you can’t afford not to be there.