Pont y Baker guidebook
Walks
Quick summary of favourite walks - please ask for directions/borrow maps. Dogs need to be on leads where there is livestock.
Short walks near Pont y Baker:
Walk to Hay - 15-20 mins downhill - footpath from road bend outside house via 2 stiles to Offa's Dyke path, left through 3 fields to Hay car-park and town centre. Can be muddy and there may be cows/sheep! Alternative is to walk down the road and take the footpath opposite the road junction (behind Hay Vets) to reach the meadows by the car park.
Dog walking - quick 15-20 min circuit - up the road past Pont Y Baker, take first stile on left or walk on to footpath gate on left, cross field to join Offa's Dyke and follow downhill - continue to Hay or turn left after Kissing Bridge following field edge, over 2 stiles to return to the house.
Footpath stile (steep steps on the bend opposite the house leads along field edges, crosses a lane (leads to Forest Road) or continues up hill and round to Hay Common. See maps.
In Hay - The Warren - dog friendly open grass area reached by Old Railway Line footpath through woodland beside the Wye. Beaches for picnics and swimming in summer. The Bean Box cafe under the Bridge has takeaway coffee and cake. Footpath links to free car-park by the river - turning into Wyeford Road, off Newport Street beside white house.
Longer hikes nearby:
Hay Bluff - carpark 3 miles up the road (left out of the drive) - right at the junction. Steep climb taking diagonal path (not straight up!) - 20 mins - fantastic views and opportunity to walk along ridge to Twmpa (Lord Hereford's Knob) or to Black Hill (via Offa's Dyke path).
Mouse Castle Wood and Wye Valley Walk - up to 7.5miles can be shortened (start from Hay or cross Offa's Dyke to Cusop. Map in Hay on Wye walks booklet.
Cusop Dingle and Cefn Hill - pretty Dulas brook over Offa's Dyke into England, good views from nature reserve. Follow footpath from house towards Hay, turn right at stone wall - kissing gate.
Hatterhall Hill, near Llanthony Priory - striking ruins, cafe may be open. Spectacular drive via Craswall and Capel Y Fyn - little chapel worth a visit. Bridge Inn at St Michael Escley serves pizzas outdoors/takeaway. The Bull's Head at Craswall is a traditional drover's inn
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Black Mountains, Wales
Quick summary of favourite walks - please ask for directions/borrow maps. Dogs need to be on leads where there is livestock.
Short walks near Pont y Baker:
Walk to Hay - 15-20 mins downhill - footpath from road bend outside house via 2 stiles to Offa's Dyke path, left through 3 fields to Hay car-park and town centre. Can be muddy and there may be cows/sheep! Alternative is to walk down the road and take the footpath opposite the road junction (behind Hay Vets) to reach the meadows by the car park.
Dog walking - quick 15-20 min circuit - up the road past Pont Y Baker, take first stile on left or walk on to footpath gate on left, cross field to join Offa's Dyke and follow downhill - continue to Hay or turn left after Kissing Bridge following field edge, over 2 stiles to return to the house.
Footpath stile (steep steps on the bend opposite the house leads along field edges, crosses a lane (leads to Forest Road) or continues up hill and round to Hay Common. See maps.
In Hay - The Warren - dog friendly open grass area reached by Old Railway Line footpath through woodland beside the Wye. Beaches for picnics and swimming in summer. The Bean Box cafe under the Bridge has takeaway coffee and cake. Footpath links to free car-park by the river - turning into Wyeford Road, off Newport Street beside white house.
Longer hikes nearby:
Hay Bluff - carpark 3 miles up the road (left out of the drive) - right at the junction. Steep climb taking diagonal path (not straight up!) - 20 mins - fantastic views and opportunity to walk along ridge to Twmpa (Lord Hereford's Knob) or to Black Hill (via Offa's Dyke path).
Mouse Castle Wood and Wye Valley Walk - up to 7.5miles can be shortened (start from Hay or cross Offa's Dyke to Cusop. Map in Hay on Wye walks booklet.
Cusop Dingle and Cefn Hill - pretty Dulas brook over Offa's Dyke into England, good views from nature reserve. Follow footpath from house towards Hay, turn right at stone wall - kissing gate.
Hatterhall Hill, near Llanthony Priory - striking ruins, cafe may be open. Spectacular drive via Craswall and Capel Y Fyn - little chapel worth a visit. Bridge Inn at St Michael Escley serves pizzas outdoors/takeaway. The Bull's Head at Craswall is a traditional drover's inn
Refurbished Drovers Inn serving local produce Thurs-Sun - reached via spectacular single track road 20 minutes from PontyBaker. Close to Black Mountain walks
The Bull's Head
Refurbished Drovers Inn serving local produce Thurs-Sun - reached via spectacular single track road 20 minutes from PontyBaker. Close to Black Mountain walks
Good base for a range of walks in the Brecon Beacons
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Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre and Tearooms
Good base for a range of walks in the Brecon Beacons
Hay Bluff - short steep climb to summit rewarded with fantastic views - only 3 miles from Pontybaker
Hay Bluff, Hereford HR2 0PX, Reino Unido
Hay Bluff - short steep climb to summit rewarded with fantastic views - only 3 miles from Pontybaker
Cycling
Drover's Cycles, Forest Road - 10 min walk from Pont Y Baker.
Cycle hire including electric bikes - can be pre-booked.
Range of cycle routes from short scenic circuits to the challenging Gospel Pass. Coffee available.
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Drover Cycles
Forest RoadDrover's Cycles, Forest Road - 10 min walk from Pont Y Baker.
Cycle hire including electric bikes - can be pre-booked.
Range of cycle routes from short scenic circuits to the challenging Gospel Pass. Coffee available.
Canoe hire
Discover the lovely River Wye and its wildlife with a half day or full day paddle.
Want to canoe? - based by Hay bridge,
Celtic Canoes - based at Glasbury
Outdoors@Hay - outdoor activities led by friendly, knowledgeable guides, including canoeing, canyoning and walking. Book in advance
Based near Hay Bridge, ideal for a half day or full day canoe trip downstream
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want to canoe?
Based near Hay Bridge, ideal for a half day or full day canoe trip downstream
Range of outdoor activities including canoeing, canyoning and walking in the Brecon Beacons led by expert staff
Outdoors@hay
Range of outdoor activities including canoeing, canyoning and walking in the Brecon Beacons led by expert staff
Sightseeing
Free entry to grounds, excellent cafe and shop on ground floor. £5 fee to visit Castle and exhibitions on upper floors.
Newly refurbished Hay Castle and grounds - free to enter, picnic on lawn or visit the cafe
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Hay Castle
Oxford RoadNewly refurbished Hay Castle and grounds - free to enter, picnic on lawn or visit the cafe
Hergest Croft
Ridgebourne RoadLovely gardens and great cafe with huge cream teas
Great starting place for a walk along the canal towpath - parking near Brecon Theatre
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Canales de la Cuenca de Brecon
Great starting place for a walk along the canal towpath - parking near Brecon Theatre
Historic abbey ruins with characterful cafe in the grounds and pub nearby. Check for opening times as these vary!
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Llanthony Abbey
Llanvihangel CrucorneyHistoric abbey ruins with characterful cafe in the grounds and pub nearby. Check for opening times as these vary!
Recently excavated site with good views and walks nearby
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Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone LaneRecently excavated site with good views and walks nearby
Market days on Thursday and Saturday. Delicious local produce, home-baking, crafts and more
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Hay-on-Wye Thursday Market Day
Market days on Thursday and Saturday. Delicious local produce, home-baking, crafts and more
Comfortable cinema with bar in a beautifully converted barn showing latest releases
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Richard Booth's Cinema
Brook StreetComfortable cinema with bar in a beautifully converted barn showing latest releases
Hay on Wye is famous for its many bookshops selling new and second hand books covering all genres. Most are open every day and welcome browers.
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Hay On Wye Booksellers
13-14 High TownHay on Wye is famous for its many bookshops selling new and second hand books covering all genres. Most are open every day and welcome browers.
Food scene
Award winning pub with good food, local beers + jazz on some Fridays. Takes dogs. Carpark at the back
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The Old Black Lion
26 Lion StAward winning pub with good food, local beers + jazz on some Fridays. Takes dogs. Carpark at the back
Lively tapas bar with good value small plates and interesting wines. Cannot be booked so turn up early to be sure of a table
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Tomatitos Tapas Bar
38 Lion StLively tapas bar with good value small plates and interesting wines. Cannot be booked so turn up early to be sure of a table
Popular old pub serving Italian style meals with beer garden. Takes dogs
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Three Tuns
Broad StreetPopular old pub serving Italian style meals with beer garden. Takes dogs
Outdoor cafe beside the River Wye bridge serving toasties, coffee and cakes - perfect spot after a walk along the old railway line to The Warren meadows
The Bean Box
4 Bridge StOutdoor cafe beside the River Wye bridge serving toasties, coffee and cakes - perfect spot after a walk along the old railway line to The Warren meadows
Upmarket restaurant featuring local produce - ideal for a special occasion but must be pre-booked
12 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Chapters Restaurant
Lion StreetUpmarket restaurant featuring local produce - ideal for a special occasion but must be pre-booked
Yoga
Larchwood Studio
Peaceful venue near Hay offering wide range of yoga and exercise classes