Hay-on-Wye Tourist Information Bureau - Hereford

Mart W.

With good location just in the middle of town and nearby bus stops with Lotz of leaflets and publications could be Really good Tourist Information Centre. COULD be because Lady who works on the desk over there do not know what she's doing or up to her mood treat tourist of good advice or give bad infos. Second one happen to me yesterday.
I always visit Tourist Info Points wherever I go to get a free maps and with a bit of luck discover something which I didn't know about in that particular area. Before I go for a trip I prepare myself as good as I can. Read a lot and collect necessary informations and directions with advance.
Yesterday my plan was to soak in atmosphere of Hay-on-Wye (which I did not visit never before) walking through the town and see some nice bookshops but the main attraction was climbing to Hay Bluff - highest and closest to the town summit of Black Mountains (which I've been few times in the past but just in Bleanavon).
When I get to the Tourist Info Centre I start to look some leaflets and been politely ask if I need some help. Which I firstly rejected but after I collected two leaflets about the town and shops I decide to ask about some advice of the trail from town to the Hill. Lady first of all take a look of me and told straight through that this is really far away.
When I told her that I know it might be far but this is nothing new for me as I do quite often 20-30 miles in Brecon Beacons she look at me suspicious asking if I did not put a lot of stuff to my backpack and do o have proper footwear.
I ask does she knows best way to get there, as an answer I heard once again that a way is VERY long and VERY BORING coz it goes mostly by normal road without sidewalk.
I knew it that Hay is on the Offa's Dyke Path and there are plenty of lovely trails but on that point I didn't want to say what I know. So after all I said Thank You to her and get out.
I had impression that she did not want to pass me some good, proper informations. Maybe because I'm foreigner? - I thought after I left the office.
After all I done my full trail in 4 hrs (with return, including getting to the top of the hill) in lovely dreamy-fairytale scenery. Exactly that was what I was looking for.
But I can see that some people over here had quite similar experiences with this Lady.
That's really bad when such a people works in such occupations. That makes a really bad first impression of the place. Unlucky to me at the end of the day, just before I left town I been cheated in local SPAR shop. This two experiences will keeps me aware of the people every next time I will visit this very beautiful area of Wales. Pity.

deb C.

really helpful and knowledgeable staff! !First rate!!

Johan P.

Helpful and patient tourist information.

Went to the tourist information with an inquiry of a scenic walk in the Hay on Wye area.

The employee at the information desk was dealing with a stubborn and provocative English gentleman making fun of the Welsh language, with comments like "what a made up language" and "nothing makes sense".

She was very patient and brushed off his arrogant comments with kindness. Very professional service.

She suggested a number of short walk options and we settled for Hay Bluff, which turned out to be a beautiful plateau hill, in the very Northernmost part of the Brecon Beacons, just on the England-Wales border. Thank you!

Sharon S.

Very helpful

Norman G.

Hay on Wye is great little town been and stayed overnight many times. Nice to see on a recent visit a new tourist information centre. Will always return to this very pleasing town.

Laurel B.

Felt rather rushed by the woman at the desk. She spewed out what she thought we wanted to hear, what she tells everyone, then pushed us toward the pamphlet wall to buy walking directions.

Edward O.

Always worth a visit to Hay-on-Wye, lots of work preparing for the festival when we arrived.

Alistair N.

Nice little Tourist information centre with helpful staff. It is very compact so if you have an even slightly bulky rucksack, make sure you take it off!