Hay Castle Events

You're invited to join Helen Jane Campbell at Hay Castle on this inspiring two-day retreat for writers. Immerse yourself in the famous book town of Hay-on-Wye. Meet authors and booksellers, write, browse the magical bookshops, and make progress with your own book or other writing project.

You’ll meet expert guests for informal, cosy, Q & As and 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 summer trip you’ll want to be part of.

Helen is a coach for creative people and will support you throughout the two days.

Try Your Hand – Wand Making

Bring your creativity to life at Hay Castle! In this fun, hands-on workshop for children aged 6+, participants will make their very own wooden magic wand and decorate it with colourful paints, ribbons, and sparkles. Each child can design a wand that reflects their own magical style. Whether it’s bright and bold or soft and shimmering, every creation will be one-of-a-kind — a perfect keepsake to take home and treasure.

All resources provided

Parental supervision required throughout the session.

Meadow Arts invites you to join Sarah Price Hiking for a series of guided walks through Hay-on-Wye and Kington, presented as part of the BorderLands programme.

Each walk has been carefully mapped by Sarah Price and will be led by a different artist, offering unique perspectives in response to the theme of Borders. Together, these walks explore the landscapes, histories and lived experiences that shape this border region.

Dates:

Thursday 20 August (Hay-on-Wye)
Sunday 30 August (Hay-on-Wye)
Sunday 13 September (Kington)

Time: Depart 10am and return 12pm

Meeting points:
Hay Castle main entrance, Oxford Road, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5DG

Ridgebourne Road, Kington, HR5 3EG
(13 September walk)

Ticket price: £7.50
Free for under 18’s
All welcome, booking essential

Suitable footwear advised

The BorderLands Walking Series is funded by Arts Council Wales as part of the BorderLands programme (15 May – 31 August 2026). BorderLands is presented in partnership with Hay Castle. Made possible thanks to funding from The de Laszlo Foundation, The Colwinston Charitable Trust 30th Anniversary Fund and Arts Council England.

Participants are also warmly invited to explore the exhibition at the Castle at the end of the walks in Hay-on-Wye, extending the experience and offering further insight into the themes encountered along the way.

Step into the magical world of creativity and let your imagination soar. In this hands-on workshop for children aged 11+, you’ll design and build your very own 3D box shaped like a majestic rook or any bird you like. Using card, paint, and markers, you’ll craft wings that open and close, bringing your rook to life. Perfect for budding artists and makers who love a mix of history, imagination, and a touch of engineering.

All resources provided

Set sail on an adventure of creativity! In this hands-on workshop, children aged 6+ will design and craft their very own treasure maps. Using simple techniques to “age” paper — like tea-staining and gentle crumpling — they’ll give their maps an authentic, timeworn look. Then, with a sprinkle of imagination, they’ll plot mysterious islands, hidden treasures, and secret landmarks, bringing their unique worlds to life. By the end, each young explorer will take home a one-of-a-kind map ready for their next big quest!

All resources provided

Parental supervision required throughout the session.

Bring your drawings to life with single-point perspective! In this fun, hands-on workshop designed for children aged 11 and up, we’ll explore simple techniques to create depth and dimension in your artwork — from roads that stretch into the distance to buildings that seem to pop off the page.
Each child will receive their own pencil set to use during the session and take home, so they can keep practising their new skills long after the workshop ends. Perfect for budding artists who want to add a new creative tool to their repertoire!

All resources provided

Roads! Where we're going we don't need roads!

From Academy Award®-winning filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis comes Back to the Future — the original, ground-breaking adventure that sparked one of the most successful trilogies ever.

When teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is blasted to 1955 in the DeLorean time machine created by the eccentric Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd), he finds himself mixed up in a time-altering chain reaction that could vaporize his future — and leave him trapped in the past. Powered by innovative special effects, unforgettable songs and non-stop action, Back to the Future is an unrivaled adventure that stands the test of time!

And remember - Your future is whatever you make it - so make it a good one.

This film is rated PG with bbfc

Terms:

- Seating not provided - for comfort, please bring your own camping chair and or blanket to sit on.
- Well behaved dogs welcome.
- Please note tickets are non-refundable - the event will go ahead rain or shine.

See also:

Dirty Dancing - Saturday 29th August

I carried a watermelon!

This is your chance to see this iconic film on a big screen outside.
It doesn't matter how many times you have watched it before - you have not seen it with Hay Castle as the dramatic backdrop.
Flatpack Cinema bring Patrick Swayze to a huge screen in the middle of Hay - what more could you ask for.
Although we do encourage dancing during the screening it is advisable to bring a blanket or a chair to sit on and a picnic and snacks - although drinks and food will of course be on sale on site.

We can guarantee The Time of Your Life - but we cannot be so sure about the weather and we will carry on rain or shine.

This film is rated 12 - for more info see bbfc

And remember... Nobody puts Baby in a corner.

Terms:

- Seating not provided - for comfort, please bring your own camping chair and or blanket to sit on.
- Well behaved dogs welcome.
- Please note tickets are non-refundable - the event will go ahead rain or shine.

See also:

Back to the Future - Friday 28th August

A warm and cheery, family-friendly, farm-life inspired circus spectacle, the Farm Yard Circus comprises group acrobatics, juggling, theatre, and live music. This high-energy boot-stomping show brings fun and energy to Hay Castle.

Farm Yard Circus began creating work together in March 2019. We are a company of 9 circus performers and musicians, focused on creating outdoor circus theatre performances set and based around life on a farm.

Adult ticket - £12.00
Under 16s - £7.00
Family ticket - £30.00

Two shows on Sunday 30th August - 11:30 am and 2.30pm

We will be exploring the myriad forms of life that exist in soil, from the 100.000 springtails that exist in each cubic metre of soil to the voracious predators of centipedes and rove beetles. Take a journey into another world as we use pooters and sieves to explore what is underneath our feet. Recording what we find and looking at it under a microscope.

Ticket Tiers (per family):

Hay Regenerative Soils Food Waste Membership: FREE - if you are a part of our food waste- living soil subscription service, you can access this workshop free of charge.

Concession: £5 - This tier is for low-income and disabled households, as well as students.

Waged: £15 - This tier is for those with a stable income.

Earthworm Warrior- £30 - This tier is for those with a stable income who want to support the project further with an extra donation. With this ticket price, you also receive a 25-litre bucket of living soil!

We will focus on creating a range of habitats designed to attract and support beneficial insects, especially pollinators:

Installing pollinator-friendly planting area, using nectar-rich and predominantly native species to ensure continuous bloom periods and reliable food sources for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Constructing and placing a bug house, providing nesting and shelter opportunities for solitary bees, ladybirds, lacewings and other beneficial insects.

Building a log pile and natural refuge zones, using branches, bark and decaying wood to support beetles, spiders and ground-dwelling insects.

Thus, Creating a mosaic of habitat types, arranged to provide a balance of sun, shade, moisture and structure to enhance overall biodiversity.

Importance of “1 Metre Matters™”

We will incorporate the principle of 1 Metre Matters™, highlighting how even small areas-just one square metre-can make a meaningful difference for wildlife. By transforming even tiny patches into diverse, insect-friendly habitats, we will demonstrate that habitat creation doesn’t require large spaces. A single metre can provide vital feeding, nesting and overwintering opportunities, contributing cumulatively to broader ecological networks.

Ticket Tiers (per family):

Hay Regenerative Soils Food Waste Membership: FREE - if you are a part of our food waste- living soil subscription service, you can access this workshop free of charge.

Concession: £5 - This tier is for low-income and disabled households, as well as students.

Waged: £15 - This tier is for those with a stable income.

Earthworm Warrior- £30 - This tier is for those with a stable income who want to support the project further with an extra donation. With this ticket price, you also receive a 25-litre bucket of living soil!

Renowned jazz pianist, Martin Litton brings together a star-studded line up of seasoned jazz musicians. At a time when audiences are increasingly aware of music’s role in wellbeing and connection this concert will offer both insight and enjoyment through a rich and compassionate musical tradition. The Healing Power of Jazz presents jazz as a source of emotional, cultural and communal healing across the twentieth century.
Martin Litton - piano; Lewis Taylor - trumpet; Graham Hughes - trombone; Robert Fowler - reeds and Tom ‘Spats’ Langham - guitar and vocals, and with Janice Day - vocals.

Tickets: Adults £17.50 / under 25s £8.50.
A limited number of free tickets for under 25s are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For full details and to book please go to www.haymusic.org

Doors open at 7:30pm

A discussion with composer Nigel Osborne and Michael Trimble, Emeritus Professor of Neuroscience at Queen Square and UCL, chaired by composer and educator Christopher Best.

Professor Michael Trimble is a Neuroscientist who has examined how music affects the brain. He has collaborated with the composer Nigel Osborne to examine how Music can be used as part of the treatment of clinical illness – in particular epilepsy. Nigel himself has pioneered methods of using music and the creative arts to support children who are victims of conflict. He began this work during the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, an approach that has been implemented widely across the world. He has gone on to work in other war zones such as Syria and currently in Ukraine and has published on the therapeutic use of music. Expect an unusual and highly expert discussion on this fascinating and important topic.

Tickets: Adults £15 / under 25s £7.50.

For full details and to book please go to www.haymusic.org

In this fascinating talk Matthew Myerscough will take attendees on a journey of discovery. Starting with the very personal story behind why he started fossil hunting, he picks out his top finds, big and small, recalling the adventures he had whilst searching for them. With a presentation of photos and practical tips for aspiring fossil hunters, this event will be engaging for all ages, although it is recommended for ages 12+


Matthew Myerscough is a civil engineer and fossil hunter based in Cardiff. With a particular passion for finding ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs, he has become well-known in the fossil hunting community for making spectacular marine reptile discoveries on the beaches near his home. When he’s not scouring the foreshore in search of fossils, Matthew may be found playing with his young daughter or riding his bicycle. Matthew is also a qualified Mountain Leader and has survived an avalanche. In Search of Sea Dragons is his first book.

As an extra bonus every ticket holder will receive a free fossil from Matthew.

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

Capture the beauty of nature in your own decorative botanical relief casting using clay and plaster of Paris. Use dried leaves, flowers, and other natural materials pressed into clay to create a detailed mould. You’ll then cast your design in plaster of Paris, revealing the delicate textures and intricate patterns captured from nature.

Throughout the session, you will be guided through each stage of the process, from preparing the clay mould to mixing and pouring plaster for a successful cast. This relaxed and creative workshop is suitable for all experience levels. By the end of the session, you will have a beautiful handcrafted botanical relief plaque to take home and display.

Suitable for adults (16+). All materials and equipment provided.

Only 6 places available.

An evening with Sonia Hammond and Home Of The Free is a collaboration showcasing the talents of these three virtuoso performers.

Sonia Hammond is a highly regarded and accomplished cellist. She has toured extensively in Europe and Africa and is Principal Cellist at both St.Woolos and Brecknock Sinfonias.

Home Of The Free have been delighting audiences with their original material, close vocal harmonies and musical interplay. They are currently recording the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut album.

This collaboration delights with it's juxtaposition of styles and influences and promises to be a uniquely beautiful evening of music.

www.hotfmusic.com

This event is supported by Noson Allan - Night Out

Join artist and printmaker Yuli Gates for a hands-on introduction to the art of lino printmaking, with a mushroom twist. In this workshop, you’ll learn traditional carving and printing techniques while exploring the fascinating process of creating natural printmaking inks from mushrooms, as detailed in the book and website which Yuli illustrated:

The Mushroom Color Atlas.

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.