Hay-on-Wye
Just back from an overnight to Hay-on-Wye. I used to love going here – millions of books at a great price; gorgeous countryside; great food at little pubs and B&Bs. All still true; nothing there changed, I think it’s me. I used to want to stay for several days and make sure I covered every bookshop, musty or not. You never know when you’ll come across a real ‘find’. This time I decided to be away for just one night.
We used to stay at a place called Olchen Court in Longtown, an old 13th Century watchtower-cum-farmhouse-cum-home and B&B. Way out in the boonies, with ancient timbers and incredible views down the valley. 
Get there via a sunken, two-way one-lane road with a canopy of tree branches turning it into a tunnel in places. Jean’s a gourmet cook, and plenty of people arrange to have dinner there the previous night – I believe locals book for dinner there too.
We wanted to catch the ambiance of a local pub, so we always used to eat at the Bull’s Head in Craswell on the way over. Marvelous cooking there too.
Mike
Dave Travis
Rose
Thanks for this great synopsis. (BTW, “No Name” near bottom of your list was Mel Lawrenz, Elmbrook...