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Hotel of the week: The Swan at Hay Hotel, Hay-on-Wye in Wales

By LLM Reporters   |  

The Swan at Hay in Wales has just completed a full refurbishment. The grade II listed Georgian building and former coaching inn is home to 19 bedrooms, a restaurant, bar and wedding and events hall.

The Hotel

The Swan at Hay in Wales
The Swan at Hay in Wales has just completed a full refurbishment

With local partnerships in mind, The Swan at Hay has partnered with Myddfai Trading Company for the bathroom toiletries. Myddfai is a social enterprise working with challenged adults, helping them achieve more. The company offers innovative and environmentally friendly products made in Wales and are all Paraben and cruelty free.

The artwork at the hotel was purchased from one of Wales’s best galleries, The Lion Street Gallery, which is also located in Hay-on-Wye. The gallery mainly promotes artists who work in Wales and the Borders.

All of the crockery has been handmade bespoke for The Swan at Hay in Hay-on-Wye by Pauline Patterson. The hotel’s coffee supplier, also based in Hay-on-Wye, is Black Mountain Roast who offer small batch coffee, fresh from Wales.

Located in the centre of Hay-on-Wye, on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, The Swan at Hay is working with local professionals and suppliers. The refurbishment has included external works to the building including a new roof and the entire refurbishment of the interior with totally redesigned bedrooms and bathrooms and transformed public areas including the street facing restaurant and separate bar area. The Swan at Hay is licensed to hold civil ceremonies and the hotel can cater for up to 120 guests.

The Restaurant

Bar food chicken 2 at swan at hay
The menus reflect a modern approach using locally sourced produce

The Head Chef at The Swan at Hay is Jerry Adam whose most recent role was at Michelin-starred Ynyshir in Wales. Jerry also worked at The Swan at Hay’s sister hotel, Llangoed Hall, for three years, under head chef Nick Brodie.

Prior to that, Jerry spent time at other Michelin-starred destinations including the Bath Priory. Jerry has created Welsh menus for both the 30 cover restaurant and 25 cover bar. This spring a herb kitchen garden will also be unveiled. The menus reflect a modern approach and Jerry will offer seasonal Welsh dishes using local produce. Jerry is already working with a selection of local Welsh suppliers.

The Area

The Swan at Hay in Wales
The Swan at Hay is the perfect base for exploring the north-easternmost tip of the Brecon Beacons National Park

Hay-on-Wye is a book lover’s dream, filled with almost 40 bookshops. Each May the literary world floods into the delightful market town. The Swan at Hay is at the heart of so much in this iconic town. There are also plenty of galleries, antique shops and craft shops highlighting local creative talent. The Swan at Hay is the perfect base for exploring the north-easternmost tip of the Brecon Beacons National Park, ideal for outdoor activities including walking, cycling and canoeing close by.

Celebrating books and the Hay Literary Festival, The Swan at Hay will also offer guests a small library area where they can pick up a book and also a local map with information on the many book shops. The Swan at Hay will also unveil a selection of literary salons in 2017/2018 hosted by journalist and author Liz Hoggard.

Address: Church St, Hay-on-Wye, Hay on Wye HR3 5DQ
Phone: 01497 821188
Website: swanathay.com