The Peren is one and a half miles from the historic town of Hay on Wye in a small village called Clifford, just three minutes in the car or a steady 10 minute cycle ride.
HAY ON WYE
The Town of Hay on Wye lies on the boundary of England and Wales and its history of being fought over by the English and the Welsh has made it a unique border town. The town’s prominent castle has been attacked from both sides of the border and was almost totally destroyed by King John in 1216 and then again soon after by the Welsh Prince Llewelyn who set fire to it.
Hay is a busy, thriving market town which has developed a reputation as the second-hand book capital of the world, following the arrival in the 1960s of the self-declared King of Hay – Richard Booth. Today, with over 30 book shops, it is also the setting for the international Hay Literary Festival held in May each year.
Hay is a great place to potter. It has a great range of independent shops selling antiques, individual gifts, good food, a boutique cinema, high quality clothes shops for men and women, and, of course, books. It is a great place to relax and watch the world go by.
CLIFFORD
Clifford is a small, sleepy hamlet with approximately 30 houses spread over the largest parish in the UK but, in the medieval period, Clifford was a thriving town with almost 200 houses stretching along the River Wye which meanders nearby.
WIDER AREA
The River Wye is a short walk (about five minutes) from The Peren through a local nature reserve. The river is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and is one of the longest near-natural rivers in England and Wales. Wildlife thrives in and around it and todaßy it boasts an ever-increasing population of wild salmon – making a comeback from near extinction. You may also see very shy otters and kingfishers.
The Brecon Beacons National Park and the Black Mountains are two of the wildest, untouched and most beautiful mountain regions in the UK, making them ideal destinations for leisurely walks and breathtaking views. For the more active, there are serious hiking opportunities, mountain biking trails, canoeing and many other outdoor activities.
Things to do
Clifford and Hay on Wye are perfect destinations for a holiday or weekend break. For the adventurous there are numerous outdoor activities such as canoeing, horse riding, gliding and fishing. For those who want a more leisurely time there are book shops, antiques, farmers’ markets, tea shops, picnic areas, gift shops, a boutique cinema and clothes shops.
Festivals abound with The Hay Literary Festival being the most prestigious but also rapidly gaining a national reputation for excellence is the Abergavenny Food Festival which is held each year in September. The Winter Literary Festival in December make this a great place to visit at any time of year.
There are lots of great places to eat and drink, ranging from the local ice-cream parlour, and gastro pubs, to Michelin-star restaurants.
Canoeing
www.wyevalleycanoes.co.uk
Cycling
www.droverholidays.co.uk
Fishing
www.wyeuskfoundation.org
Herefordshire
www.herefordcathedral.org
www.visitherefordshire.co.uk
Powys
tourism.powys.gov.uk
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