Hay Castle Events

This is for artists wishing to pay their entry for the Open Show. The show runs in the Gallery from Sat 12 September and Sunday 1 Nov 2026.

SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN UNTIL THE END OF JULY - CLOSING DATE IS 30 JULY

Entries cost £20 each and there is a maximum of one entry per artist. (The entry fee goes to help cover the cost associated with running the gallery.)

Once you have paid the entry fee using the button below - please make sure you fill in the form.

Payment is required to get the order number for the form. You will be provided with a link to submit your artwork, along with dimensions and photographs. The photographs are important as this is what the panel will use to choose submissions.

Terms & Conditions

• Fees are £20 and are non refundable. (only 1 piece of work can be submitted per person as we have less room this year)
• Max size for 2D is 150cm x 150cm
• Max size for sculpture is 100cm x 100cm and no more than 150kg (we have to get it upstairs via the lift)
• If successful, you will be notified by email.
• The exhibition runs from 12/09/26 to 01/11/26 and selected work must be delivered to the castle.
• Work must be clearly labelled on the reverse with name, title and price.
• The decision of the Selection Panel is final.
• Work will be insured whilst on exhibition at the castle.
• Submissions are welcomed for fine art and sculpture only.
• Hay Castle takes 40% commission on any work sold.

LINK TO ENTRY FORM ONCE PAYMENT IS MADE

Why not come along and dance to Wuthering Heights on Sunday 26th on the Castle lawn?

All you need to do is turn up on the day - and if you wear red - all the better!

This is part of an international event - The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever.

We (along with thousand of other Kate Bush mad dancers all round the world) will be performing to Wuthering Heights.

Wear red.

The steps are simple, NO dance experience required. Just a love of Kate. If you want to try it at home:


Learn Wuthering Heights Dance

Join us for a vibrant, hands-on art workshop inspired by the feathered residents of Hay Castle’s gardens and surrounding countryside. Using recycled cardboard as your canvas, you’ll sketch and cut out bird shapes based on local species—think cheeky robins, elegant swallows, and bright goldfinches—before bringing them to life with bold, joyful colours and patterns. Perfect for all ages and abilities, this session blends creativity with a touch of nature study, leaving you with a unique, hand-painted bird to take home or display.

All resources provided Parental supervision required throughout the session.

Unleash your creativity in this fun, hands-on workshop designed especially for young makers aged 11yrs plus! Using your own sketchbook as a base, you’ll explore the art of junk journalling — transforming everyday scraps, papers, and found treasures into a unique, personal masterpiece. Learn playful techniques like collage, stamping, and pocket-making. Perfect for budding artists who love to mix, match, and make their mark!

All resources provided

Barbara launches her brand new book ‘The Valley of Ravens’

In the depths of the valley, two women, centuries apart, are bound by fate…
Present
Eve, desperate for a fresh start, arrives in the Valley of Ravens to restore a long-abandoned cottage.
Everyone knows the place is cursed. Why else would it be called The Witch’s House?
As Eve begins her renovations it becomes clear the place has a secret waiting to be uncovered, if only she can make the connection with the past.

Wales, 1260
Alys, a healer living in the depths of the valley, discovers Llewelyn – last true Prince of Wales – lying wounded on the battlefield. She tends him and her fate is forever bound to his.

Barbara will be signing copies of 'The Valley of Ravens' after the talk.
Buy a raffle ticket on the night to win a specially signed copy.
Bar open from 6:30pm

Join us for a fun, hands-on art and science adventure! In this creative workshop for ages 6+, young artists will use watercolours and rubbing alcohol to create magical, swirling planet designs that look like they’ve come straight from outer space.

As we paint, we’ll explore fascinating STEM facts about our solar system — from the stormy stripes of Jupiter to the icy blues of Neptune — and discover how colour, texture, and chemistry can bring these worlds to life on paper. Children will leave with their own unique “planet” artwork and a head full of cosmic curiosity.

All resources provided

Parental supervision required throughout the session.

Step into the creative heart of Hay Castle and explore the magic of words and images in this hands-on workshop designed for ages 11 and up. Inspired by the Borderlands exhibition, participants will discover how to transform fragments of text from old books, newspapers, and letters into striking found poetry. Guided by an artist-facilitator, you’ll learn techniques to layer your poems with visual elements—collage, ink, and mixed media—creating unique artworks that reflect the shifting identities, histories, and landscapes of the borderlands. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind piece that blends literature and art, and a deeper connection to the stories that shape the spaces between worlds.

All resources provided

The Three Inch Fools present an epic tale of Arthurian adventure and medieval mayhem.
In a land of daring quests, dashing knights, and endless jousting, there lived a would-be hero - waiting in the
wings - who went by the name of Arthur. But when Camelot is rocked to its core by a tragic - and frankly improbable - incident involving a large table of an undisclosed shape, Arthur is thrust into the quest of a lifetime. Will he bravely battle through blistering cold and scorching fire to save his beloved realm, or will he crumble as fate refuses to cooperate? Destiny awaits, chivalry calls, and the quest to end all quests begins.
Saddle up - things are about to get legendary
Additional notes
This performance is an outdoor performance. We recommend that you bring blankets/chairs/cushions etc. to sit on. Come prepared for the weather with warm coats and waterproofs etc, as the performance will continue come rain come shine! We kindly ask that you do not bring umbrellas, as these can obscure the view for other audience members.

7pm start time, gates open from 5:30pm. The performance will last approximately 100 minutes (+ a 20 minute interval).

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Bar and food available from the Castle from 5.30pm. Picnics also welcome.

PICNIC BOXES FOR KING ARTHUR AND THE HOLY FAIL
Pre- order by 12pm on Thursday 6^th August.
Email the order to hello@epicureevents.co.uk
Payment on collection
Pre-orders only, these won’t be able to order on the night.

Meat £16
Charcuterie selection with:
Moorish aubergine salad, Maple syrup roasted butternut squash wedges, feta, pesto and pomegranate, Sliced heritage tomatoes, torn basil, buffalo mozzarella, chive and lemon dressing, Pink fir potatoes, capers, cornichon, radishes, lemon and organic olive oil, Lane cottage salad leaves, dijon and honey dressing

Vegetarian £16
Hummus and toasted seeds with:
Moorish aubergine salad, Maple syrup roasted butternut squash wedges, feta, pesto and pomegranate, Sliced heritage tomatoes, torn basil, buffalo mozzarella, chive and lemon dressing, Pink fir potatoes, capers, cornichon, radishes, lemon and organic olive oil, Lane cottage salad leaves, dijon and honey dressing

Vegan £15
Hummus and toasted seeds with:
Moorish aubergine salad, Maple syrup roasted butternut squash wedges, pesto and pomegranate, Sliced heritage tomatoes, torn basil, Pink fir potatoes, capers, cornichon, radishes, lemon and organic olive oil, Lane cottage salad leaves, Dijon dressing.

An Introduction to the Art of Calligraphy.

Try your hand at this heritage craft.

This half day practical workshop will introduce you to basic foundation hand. The different strokes will be practised and combined to create all letters of the miniscule alphabet. At the end of the session, you should have an understanding of letter construction as a launch pad to begin your Calligraphy journey.

This workshop will be delivered by Peter Lloyd who has forty plus years of experience as a professional calligrapher and tutor.
No previous experience is needed and all equipment will be provided.

£20 per person
12 tickets available

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

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.