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.

Open Show Entry 2026

Payment for entering artwork into Open Show in gallery September 2026

Venue: Hay Castle Gallery
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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

2026 Open Show Entry
£20.00
Open Show Entry 2026

Hay Music: The New London Chamber Ensemble

Wind Quintet

Venue: Great Hall
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One of Britain's leading wind quintets, for a quarter of a century the NLCE has graced stages globally and has left an indelible mark with notable appearances in diverse settings, challenging traditional ideas of chamber music with their innovative programmes.

They will perform Claude Debussy (arr. Gordon Davies): Petite Suite; Samuel Barber: Summer Music; Paul Hindemith: Kleine Kammermusik Op. 24 No.2; Moondog: Bird of Paradise; Julian Philips: Anniversary quintet - world premiere; Gustav Holst: Wind Quintet in A Flat, Op.14 and Valerie Coleman: Umoja.

Tickets: Adults £20 / under 25s £10. 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

Friday, 24 April 2026 at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm)

Hay Music: The New London Chamber Ensemble

Print Club April 27th

Fortnightly Print Club

Venue: Hay Castle Clore Learning Space
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Print Club is run by our resident printmaker - Aidan Saunders - AKA Prints of Hay.

Print Club costs £6 per session - Some materials will be provided and there will be access to the printing press when accompanied by Aidan.

This club will develop according to the needs and requirements of the members of the group - so why not come along and become a part of Print Club.


Print Club 27th April
£6.00
Print Club April 27th

Life Drawing May 4th

Monday Life Drawing Session

Venue: Hay Castle Clore Learning Space
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This takes place in the Clore Learning Space every other Monday from 11am until 4pm.

The model this week will be

Please bring your own materials

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


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

Full day session £18 4th May
£18.00
Half Day Session £12 4th May
£12.00
Life Drawing May 4th

Jewellery and Antiques Evaluation Day

with Kate Bliss

Venue: Hay Castle Clore Learning Space
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Kate Bliss, a regular face on BBC antiques programmes and an independent jewellery and fine art valuer is hosting a free ‘drop-in’ Valuation Day for jewellery and silver as well as other antiques and contemporary fine art.

Have you recently inherited items you know nothing about? Do you have jewellery you never wear? Kate offers a unique opportunity to find out more about your valuables including their potential value.

A Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, Kate has over 20 years experience valuing single items to unique collections and whole house contents. Whether it’s the right time to realise some assets or simply de-clutter, Kate will provide you with a verbal consultation and arrange items for sale if suitable.

Drop-in for a free valuation in the Clore Learning Space 10am to 4pm, Saturday 9th May

FREE EVENT
Jewellery and Antiques Evaluation Day

Craft Fair 2026

Craft at Hay Castle during the Hay Festival

Venue: Hay Castle Lawn
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Our 3-day Craft Fair is back from 23 to 25 May 2026
Ceramics, textiles, jewellery, print, wood, glass and work in unexpected materials. Makers are selected for the quality, originality and care in their work, and for how it sits within the castle.
A day for wandering, looking closely, touching fabrics and materials, and meeting the people behind the work.
FREE ENTRY

Barbara Erskine talks to Professor Anne Rowe

Book launch of 'The Valley of Ravens'

Venue: Great Hall
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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
Barbara Erskine Valley of Ravens
£16.00

The Three Inch Fools: Arthurian Adventure at Hay Castle

King Arthur and the Holy Fail

Venue: Hay Castle Lawn
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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

Bring your own cushions and camping chairs and join us for this most epic of quests. Come prepared for the weather - the performance will continue come rain or shine.

★★★★★ “So entertaining… laugh-out-loud funny”

★★★★★ “The ultimate British theatrical experience” – Hastings Independent Press

★★★★★ “Riotously fun. Hugely enjoyable”

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!

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

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

We kindly ask that you do not bring umbrellas, as these can obscure the view for other audience members.

EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE UNTIL APRIL 30TH


An evening with Sonia Hammond & Home of the Free

A unique evening of music at Hay Castle

Venue: Great Hall
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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


Night Out
Sold out
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