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Original poster

Has anyone been to the Hay festival?

14 replies

KingofCats · 25/05/2023 07:07

I’m away next week near Hay so randomly booked a ticket for kids 12 & 9 for a David walliams talk. No other talks or events booked. Never been before. Is it festival vibe with plenty else to see and do in wandering round if I don’t plan anything else? The 16 year old is booky and would have loved it but she’s not coming as GCSEs. My 9 year old has ADHD and attention span of a goldfish.

OP posts:
Ragwort · 25/05/2023 07:13

Yes ... I go each year as a volunteer and it's fab .. especially in nice weather 😀. There's a really good atmosphere there, plenty of space to sit and chill with a coffee, lots of interesting stalls plus street food (not cheap - but you could take a picnic). Free activities for children. I am sure you will enjoy it.

LlynTegid · 25/05/2023 07:13

A friend of my mum's who I think is 70 something goes every year, describes it as the Woodstock of the mind. Not sure about how a 9 year old would find it though, sorry not of more help.

Original poster
KingofCats · 25/05/2023 07:18

Ragwort · 25/05/2023 07:13

Yes ... I go each year as a volunteer and it's fab .. especially in nice weather 😀. There's a really good atmosphere there, plenty of space to sit and chill with a coffee, lots of interesting stalls plus street food (not cheap - but you could take a picnic). Free activities for children. I am sure you will enjoy it.

Thank you! One planned activity and wandering around stalls etc is probably enough for my youngest! I could book one more talk that looks engaging for the kids or forest school but it’s a few hours after our planned activity and we don’t do well with too rigid a structure of a day! If there are plenty of free things and places to chill we’ll probably leave it as that. We’re only staying half an hour away so can bin it if too much but would be nice to make a day of it!

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Ragwort · 25/05/2023 07:20

Good idea ... the official 'advice' is not to book Grin too much, one talk will be great and then just wander round and enjoy the atmosphere.

toothbrusher · 25/05/2023 07:22

It's fantastic! You'll love it 😊

heldinadream · 25/05/2023 07:27

LlynTegid · 25/05/2023 07:13

A friend of my mum's who I think is 70 something goes every year, describes it as the Woodstock of the mind. Not sure about how a 9 year old would find it though, sorry not of more help.

Woodstock of the mind is what Bill Clinton called it maybe 25 years ago.

I used to go every year OP, loved it but have got out of the habit. I don't actually like music festivals, I find Hay much more fun but I am a book addict. Hope you have a brilliant time!

heldinadream · 25/05/2023 07:31

Just checked it was 2001 Clinton was there and said that.
Sorry: fact geek.
Hay is amazing! You've made me nostalgic.

User478 · 25/05/2023 07:33

Take your wellies!

The field becomes a swamp if it even thinks about raining.

Have a wonderful time 📖

Poblano · 25/05/2023 07:39

We go every year. The DC have come with us since they were toddlers (now adults) and have loved it at every age and stage.

For cheaper books take a look at the Oxfam second hand book stand, always a wide range.

The food stalls are fantastic, although relatively pricey.

It is forecast to be sunny all week, so try to grab a deck chair in the middle of the festival site and watch the world go by!

Original poster
KingofCats · 25/05/2023 07:44

Oh I’m excited now it sounds fab. I had in my mind a stressed day with crowds and busy-ness and the kids whinging but now I’m thinking of chilling on deckchairs with a pile of new second hand books and some lush street food

OP posts:
Hubblebubble · 25/05/2023 08:26

I went as a kid and loved it! There were poetry and short story writing competitions for kids, so pack them a notebook and pens.

Dappy55 · 25/05/2023 08:30

I really like it, the town is lovely as well

bringonyourwreckingball · 25/05/2023 08:33

I am gutted not to be going this year, we love it.
On a slightly low brow note, the ice cream stand is fabulous

Dappy55 · 25/05/2023 09:47

Was gonna say that the ice cream in the town is lovely

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