Kilverts Inn at Hay

A Lively Pub with Rooms in the Heart of Hay-on-Wye

Kilverts is a welcoming, family-run pub with rooms right in the heart of the famous book town of Hay-on-Wye. Set in a characterful Edwardian building, it is a lively hub for locals and visitors alike — a friendly, dog-welcoming base from which to explore the bookshops, the River Wye and the Black Mountains, with good food, well-kept ales and a lovely hidden beer garden all on hand.

The rooms

Kilverts has twelve en-suite bedrooms, each uniquely designed to add modern comforts to the historic building — a comfortable space to relax and unwind after a day exploring the town and the hills. With the bar and kitchen downstairs and the whole of Hay just outside the door, it is an easy, sociable place to stay, equally suited to walkers, book-lovers and anyone wanting to be at the centre of things.

Food, drink and the welcome

Downstairs is a proper, lively bar and kitchen. The home-cooked menu uses locally sourced produce, running from soup and burgers to hand-cut chips and tempting desserts, with vegetarian and vegan options and weekly changing specials. The bar stocks award-winning ales, local cider, popular lagers and a wide range of whiskies, rums, gins and wines from around the world. Out the back there is a stunning beer garden, hidden away from the hubbub — a lovely spot on a warm day. Dogs are welcome throughout.

At a glance

• Family-run pub with rooms in an Edwardian building
• Twelve individually designed en-suite bedrooms
• Home-cooked food using local produce; award-winning ales
• Hidden beer garden; dog-friendly
• Right in the heart of Hay-on-Wye

Hay-on-Wye, the town of books

Hay-on-Wye is the world’s most famous “town of books”, a warren of second-hand bookshops, independent cafés and galleries that hosts a celebrated literary festival each spring. Hay Castle, the River Wye and the surrounding countryside are all close by, and being right in the centre means everything is on the doorstep. For more on the area and other places to stay, see our guide to Hay-on-Wye accommodation.

Exploring the area

The dramatic scenery of the Black Mountains rises just to the south, with Hay Bluff and the spectacular Gospel Pass — the highest road in Wales — within easy reach for a memorable walk or drive. The wider Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park offers waterfalls, reservoirs and big hill walks, while the River Wye is popular for canoeing and gentle riverside strolls. Whether you want a serious mountain day or a leisurely potter between bookshops and tearooms, Kilverts is an ideal base.

Good to know

There is real appeal in staying at a proper pub with rooms in the heart of Hay — the bar and beer garden are part of the experience rather than something to escape, and you can come back from a day in the bookshops or the hills to good food, a well-kept pint and a comfortable room all under one roof. The dog-friendly welcome makes it a natural choice for walkers, and being right in the centre means everything in this compact little town is on the doorstep. Hay is famously busy and special during its literary festival in late spring, when booking well ahead is essential, but it is a lovely, lively base year-round — and the Black Mountains and the Wye are always close at hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of place is it? A lively, family-run pub with rooms in an Edwardian building.

How many rooms are there? Twelve individually designed en-suite bedrooms.

Are dogs welcome? Yes — Kilverts is dog-friendly.

What’s nearby? Hay Castle, the bookshops, the River Wye and the Black Mountains.

Plan your Hay-on-Wye stay

For a characterful, dog-friendly pub with rooms right in the heart of Hay-on-Wye, Kilverts is a wonderful choice. To check dates and availability, use the booking options on this page.