Two wonderful properties in the world famous 'Town of Books'.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast near 
Hay-on-Wye, surrounded by four acres of gardens and wild meadows. The perfect place to unwind.

Two wonderful properties

in the world famous 'Town of Books'.

Stay with us...

Rest For the Tired and Black Swan Cottage are two lovely places to stay - right in the heart of the World-famous 'Town of Books'. The Black Swan was built in 1623 and was originally a Public House. Hay on Wye - Y Gelli Gandryll (the shattered grove) as it is known in Welsh, is the ideal base for exploring the northern Black Mountains. Come and discover its many quirky delights...

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Things to see and do during your stay...

Hay is home to more than thirty bookstores - many specialising in out of print or hard to locate titles, lure literary lovers to this market town, famously known as the Town of Books. Nestled peacefully on the Wales-England border, Hay-on-Wye is most popular during the annual Literature Festival during the last few weeks of May, when 80,000 visitors descend for readings and seminars. Hay-on-Wye, or Y Gelli as it is in Welsh, also has two Norman castles, a plethora of pubs and a pleasant stream.Shop at the various independent clothing, food and craft shops or pop along to one of the regular markets. Go for a walk along the banks of the River Wye and around The Warren or pick up the Wye Valley Walk to the east or west or Offa’s Dyke Trail to the north or south. Keep an eye out for news about the exciting project to restore Hay Castle.

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Getting here...

Approaching from the East on A438 from Hereford/Leominster

Drive through Whitney-on-Wye and after passing the Saw Mills either turn right over the Toll bridge or head straight on to the village of Clyro. Take a left turn in Clyro to Hay on Wye. Enter Hay over the bridge, then turn right - and immediately, take a right up a narrow lane in between the fish and chip shop and the butchers. Drive carefully and bear right to our signposted private car park.


Approaching from the West on A438 from Brecon/Builth Wells

Drive to Glasbury on Wye and head straight on to Hay on Wye. When you get to Hay, continue past the Swan Hotel on your left and continue straight ahead past the turnings for Cusop and main street. Down the gentle hill - which is Broad Street, you will notice the town clock on your right. Keep going carefully for another 50 yards. Look up to your left and you will see a bicycle wheel hanging off the wall of a black and white building - that is us! Take a left up the narrow lane in between the fish and chip shop and the butchers immediately before our book shop. Drive carefully and bear right to our signposted private car park.

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“I visit Hay-on-Wye once a year to browse the books; I'm not interested in the Festival. I've been visiting this town annually for over 20 years, and for over 15 of them, I've booked in at Rest for the Tired – ever since I found the place, in fact. For me, it's the perfect place to stay. It's quirky, warm, comfortable, and John & Mary are the perfect hosts. They're friendly and helpful – and you get a cracking good breakfast!”

Danrich Parrol, October 2019

"We visited Hay to check out the bookshops and stayed at Rest for the Tired on Broad Street. The rooms were warm, comfortable - and delighfully quirky. There is free off-road parking, and the famous bookshops are only a few minutes' walk away. John and Mary made us extremely welcome (the cooked breakfasts were fabulous) and we can't wait to go back..."

Nile Etland, 2019

"Rest for the Tired is a 17th century B & B in Hay on Wye and is very comfy and Mary who runs it makes great breakfasts and can tell you anything about Hay and its life in general and history. If you love nice countryside and books this is a great place to spend some time."

John Thompson, 2019
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