Welcome to “The Woodstock of the Mind”
How to make the most of your trip to the literary delight that is the Hay Festival
When Bill Clinton visited the Hay Festival in 2001, he called it “the Woodstock of the mind.”
Once again, it’s that time of year, when the tiny Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye, with a population of 2,059 (according to the 2021 Census), throws its doors open to the world and invites a diverse bunch of writers to come and talk to readers. (And obviously, they hope to flog a book or two.)
If you’ve never been to the Hay Literary Festival before (23rd May to 2nd June 2024), here are a few tips I’ve put together, based upon the mistakes I’ve made in the past, which could help you get the most out of your visit.
1. Book the events you really want to see in advance.
The Hay Festival releases a full program in advance, and the Friends of Hay Festival gets an early peak and priority booking. Some events get sold out well in advance, so the earlier you book, the better.
