Hay Castle Events

As well as tours and exhibitions, we hold a variety of events here at Hay Castle. You can see upcoming events and buy tickets below. For our past events listings please click here.

Christmas Fundraiser

Hay Animal Rescue Team

Venue: Hay Castle Great Hall
Read more
Let the festive elves at Hay Animal Rescue take care of your Christmas wrapping. For a small donation they'll beautifully wrap your gifts, ready for the big day. Every penny raised helps rescue animals in need.
FREE EVENT
Christmas Fundraiser

Quentin Blake Family film screenings 21 Dec

2 films from Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures

Venue: Hay Castle Clore Learning Space
Read more

We are showing two of the films from Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures - Snuff and Angel Pavement.

Screenings will take place in the Clore Learning Space at 11am and 2pm.

There will be cushions and chairs for these family screenings.

FREE but ticketed to keep an eye on numbers.

Here is some info about each of the films:

SNUFF - A tale from Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures. Village knight Sir Thomas Magpie, well known for both his generosity and love of flamboyant hats, despairs that his clumsy page Snuff will ever learn the tricky skills he needs to one day be a knight himself. However, when four thieves threaten to raid a local bootmaker’s shop, Snuff has a clever idea to outfox the villains and save the day. His reward? His very own horse and fancy hat, just like a proper knight!

ANGEL PAVEMENT - Corky and Loopy are two ordinary girls, apart from also being secret angels! With the aid of a magic pencil that can draw in the air, they go on ‘angel patrol’ amazing people in their town with beautiful art and rescuing the odd animal too. One day they meet street artist Sid and decide to help him take part in a local drawing competition by lending him the special pencil. Sid creates incredible drawings in the sky, and ultimately scoops a top prize, bringing joy and wonder to all. Angel Pavement is the latest episode in the landmark animated box set Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures, inspired by the whimsical and vibrant work of the beloved children's author and illustrator Sir Quentin Blake.


Family
Snuff & Angel Pavement Screening 21 Dec 2pm
£0.00
Snuff & Angel Pavement Film Screening 21 Dec 11am
£0.00
Quentin Blake Family film screenings 21 Dec

Quentin Blake Family film screenings 22 Dec

2 films from Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures

Venue: Hay Castle Clore Learning Space
Read more

We are showing two of the films from Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures - Snuff and Angel Pavement.

Screenings will take place in the Clore Learning Space at 11am and 2pm.

There will be cushions and chairs for these family screenings.

FREE but ticketed to keep an eye on numbers.

Here is some info about each of the films:

SNUFF - A tale from Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures. Village knight Sir Thomas Magpie, well known for both his generosity and love of flamboyant hats, despairs that his clumsy page Snuff will ever learn the tricky skills he needs to one day be a knight himself. However, when four thieves threaten to raid a local bootmaker’s shop, Snuff has a clever idea to outfox the villains and save the day. His reward? His very own horse and fancy hat, just like a proper knight!

ANGEL PAVEMENT - Corky and Loopy are two ordinary girls, apart from also being secret angels! With the aid of a magic pencil that can draw in the air, they go on ‘angel patrol’ amazing people in their town with beautiful art and rescuing the odd animal too. One day they meet street artist Sid and decide to help him take part in a local drawing competition by lending him the special pencil. Sid creates incredible drawings in the sky, and ultimately scoops a top prize, bringing joy and wonder to all. Angel Pavement is the latest episode in the landmark animated box set Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures, inspired by the whimsical and vibrant work of the beloved children's author and illustrator Sir Quentin Blake.


Family
Snuff & Angel Pavement Screening 22 Dec 2pm
£0.00
Snuff & Angel Pavement Film Screening 22 Dec 11am
£0.00
Quentin Blake Family film screenings 22 Dec

Tarddle / Source

Film by Storyteller in Residence - Tom Bullough

Venue: Clore Learning Space
Read more

Between January and September 2024, Tom Bullough travelled up the River Wye from the Wales-England border at Hay-on-Wye to the source on Pumlumon Fawr. Along the way, he filmed the river and its surroundings and recorded conversations with scores of people – from poultry farmers to teachers and musicians, conservationists to tourists, anglers, a rally driver and a spirit medium. They discussed their relationship with the river but also their lives, hopes and concerns, and subjects as varied as wind farms, peat bogs, Welsh identity and the nature of the soul. The result is Tarddle/ Source: a two-hour film about the Wye Valley – passionate, reflective and celebratory – a portrait of a changing community bound together by a love of its place.

Come and see the film in our Clore Learning Space

Screenings start at 10am, 12pm and 2pm each day

From Mon 20 Jan until Fri 7 Feb (except Mon 27 Jan & Sat 1 Feb)

Free - come and pop in at any point
FREE
Tarddle / Source

Quentin Blake: Back to the drawing board

Talk by Liz Williams from Quentin Blake Limited

Venue: Clore Learning Space
Read more

Known all over the world for his illustration work for children, Quentin Blake has also produced drawings that are widely used in hospitals and other public spaces, and has created numerous personal artworks for exhibitions and publications. All these drawings are kept in the archive at his studio in London. Dive into this fascinating collection with this illustrated talk by Liz Williams, Quentin Blake’s archivist.
Liz also co-curated the exhibition Beasts, Battles & Books which is on in the main gallery until 2nd March.

For adults and children aged 10+

Quentin Blake - Back to the Drawing Board
£10.00
Quentin Blake - Back to the Drawing Board (kids)
£7.50
Last few remaining tickets
Quentin Blake: Back to the drawing board

Adult & Teen Creative Workshop

Create a collage with artist Caris Jackson

Venue: Clore Learning Space
Read more

Create your own original design priceless artwork and collectors piece!

Artist Caris Jackson will share her inventive creative processes and visual resources in this fun and friendly mixed media collage workshop.

Encouraging you to work imaginatively and create fantastic visual imagery, Caris will inspire and guide you through composition, building a narrative, creating a character, use of colour and mixed media so no previous experience is necessary.

Collage describes both the technique and the resulting work of art in which pieces of paper, photographs, fabric and other materials are arranged onto a backing. It can be a collection or combination of various things intentionally collected or randomly picked.

To make your collage even more personal, you are encouraged to bring your own A4 photocopied image (can be black & white or colour) but if you don't want to there is plenty of material provided to work with.

All materials and tuition provided plus tea and biscuits.

There are two sessions - one in the morning from 10.30am to 12.30pm and another in the afternoon from 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Reductions for two people coming together/family tickets

Morning 10.30-12.30
£25.00
Morning Family - 2 people
£40.00
Afternoon 1.30-3.30
£25.00
Afternoon Family - 2 people
£40.00

Have-a-go-Shakespeare

with the Willow Globe

Venue: Hay Castle Clore Learning Space
Read more

Have-A-Go Shakespeare

Following our popular taster session in December, we are delighted to announce the beginning of regular workshops here at Hay Castle.

Are you curious about Shakespeare? Would you like to learn more, share what you know and ‘Have-A-Go’ in an informal environment with a like-minded group? Come for tea, a chat and a bash at Shakespeare. No experience or prior knowledge necessary!

The sessions are run by our Artistic Directors, Sue Best and Phil Bowen, who have a lifetime’s experience of working with Shakespeare in a professional and participatory context. The workshops offer an opportunity for all-comers to ‘Have-A-Go’ at Shakespeare in a fun and supportive environment and facilitate discussion around the themes of the plays in both a historical and current context.

£7.50 per session - payable on the day.

All welcome! No experience necessary

Further sessions on:

Tuesday 11 March
Tuesday 25 March
Tuesday 8 April


PAY ON THE DOOR (£7.50)
Have-a-go-Shakespeare

Family Creating Creatures with Francesca Kay

Half Term Family Workshop

Venue: Hay Castle Clore Learning Space
Read more

Creating Creatures!

Francesca Kay will help you make portraits of wonderful animals, birds, and imaginary beasts.

Part of our Quentin Blake season - you can also see the exhibition in the Gallery

Sessions at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm

Each session lasts about an hour

Children to be accompanied at all times



10:30am Session
£5.00
12.30pm Session
£5.00
2.30pm session
£5.00
Family Creating Creatures with Francesca Kay

Half Term Kids Craft Workshop

Making Monsters inspired by Quentin Blake

Venue: Clore Learning Space
Read more
Come and make some monsters with Freya Bain.

Lots of craft and art materials in the Clore Space - so why not get inspired by the Quentin Blake exhibition and make some monsters of your own!

Sessions at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm

Each session lasts about an hour

Children to be accompanied at all times
Making Monsters 10:30am session
£5.00
Making Monsters 12:30 pm session
£5.00
Making Monsters 2:30pm session
£5.00
Half Term Kids Craft Workshop

Quentin Blake Family film screenings

2 films from Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures

Venue: Hay Castle Clore Learning Space
Read more

We are showing two of the films from Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures - Snuff and Angel Pavement.

Screenings will take place in the Clore Learning Space at 11am and 2pm.

There will be cushions and chairs for these family screenings.

FREE but ticketed to keep an eye on numbers.

Here is some info about each of the films:

SNUFF - A tale from Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures. Village knight Sir Thomas Magpie, well known for both his generosity and love of flamboyant hats, despairs that his clumsy page Snuff will ever learn the tricky skills he needs to one day be a knight himself. However, when four thieves threaten to raid a local bootmaker’s shop, Snuff has a clever idea to outfox the villains and save the day. His reward? His very own horse and fancy hat, just like a proper knight!

ANGEL PAVEMENT - Corky and Loopy are two ordinary girls, apart from also being secret angels! With the aid of a magic pencil that can draw in the air, they go on ‘angel patrol’ amazing people in their town with beautiful art and rescuing the odd animal too. One day they meet street artist Sid and decide to help him take part in a local drawing competition by lending him the special pencil. Sid creates incredible drawings in the sky, and ultimately scoops a top prize, bringing joy and wonder to all. Angel Pavement is the latest episode in the landmark animated box set Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures, inspired by the whimsical and vibrant work of the beloved children's author and illustrator Sir Quentin Blake.


Family
Snuff & Angel Pavement Screening 26 Feb 2pm
£0.00
Snuff & Angel Pavement Film Screening 26 Feb 11am
£0.00
Snuff & Angel Pavement Film Screening 27 Feb 11am
£0.00
Snuff & Angel Pavement Screening 27 Feb 2pm
£0.00
Snuff & Angel Pavement Screening 28 Feb 11am
£0.00
Snuff & Angel Pavement Screening 28 Feb 2pm
£0.00
Quentin Blake Family film screenings

Jackie Morris Talk

Talk by renowned artist, illustrator and author

Venue: Hay Castle Clore Learning Space
Read more

Jackie Morris is an illustrator, author and painter who lives and works in Wales. She has illustrated many books including The lost Words, co-created with Robert Macfarlane and Hay Festival Book of the year in 2017, The Snow Leopard, The Iceberg and The White Fox. Much of her work is inspired by shapeshifting and the wilder world.

Jackie Morris Talk
£12.00
Jackie Morris Talk

A Concert for St Davids’s Day

With Cantorion y Gelli

Venue: Great Hall
Read more

Cantorion Y Gelli is Hay’s mixed-voice, Welsh-language choir.
Musical Director, Gemma Woolford, gathered a group of friends together after the final lockdown to learn one Welsh song, and the fun started from there. Members are either learning Welsh or passionate about Wales and the language, three first language Welsh-speakers keeping a close ear on pronunciation.

Cantorion Y Gelli is excited to collaborate with Hay Castle this St David’s Day to bring you an evening of Welsh entertainment. The choir has a varied repertoire of traditional folk songs, hymns, male voice choir classics and even a football anthem! Come along and celebrate this very important day in the calendar and enjoy some good old-fashioned Welsh “hwyl”!

Sold out
Please log in to add this event to your wish list so we can notify you in case of further availability

Local Wildlife in the Hay and Clyro Area

Talk by Facebook regular Stewart Roberts

Venue: Clore Learning Space
Read more

Come along to Stewart's illustrated talk on local wildlife which will be accomapnied by some of his wonderful photos taken in and around Hay and Clyro.

A renowned wildlife enthusiast, Stewart will give an engaging talk on the diverse wildlife of Hay and Clyro. This event promises to be a fascinating exploration of the rich natural habitats found in this beautiful landscape.

You can expect to learn about the intricate relationships between the flora and fauna and Stewart's extensive knowledge and passion for wildlife will undoubtedly provide valuable insights and inspire a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or simply curious about local wildlife, this talk is sure to be both informative and inspiring.

Price: £10.00
Local Wildlife in the Hay and Clyro Area

Have-a-go-Shakespeare

with the Willow Globe

Venue: Hay Castle Clore Learning Space
Read more

Have-A-Go Shakespeare

Following our popular taster session in December, we are delighted to announce the beginning of regular workshops here at Hay Castle.

Are you curious about Shakespeare? Would you like to learn more, share what you know and ‘Have-A-Go’ in an informal environment with a like-minded group? Come for tea, a chat and a bash at Shakespeare. No experience or prior knowledge necessary!

The sessions are run by our Artistic Directors, Sue Best and Phil Bowen, who have a lifetime’s experience of working with Shakespeare in a professional and participatory context. The workshops offer an opportunity for all-comers to ‘Have-A-Go’ at Shakespeare in a fun and supportive environment and facilitate discussion around the themes of the plays in both a historical and current context.

£7.50 per session - payable on the day.

All welcome! No experience necessary

Further sessions on:


Tuesday 25 March
Tuesday 8 April


PAY ON THE DOOR (£7.50)
Have-a-go-Shakespeare

Have-a-go-Shakespeare

with the Willow Globe

Venue: Hay Castle Clore Learning Space
Read more

Have-A-Go Shakespeare

Following our popular taster session in December, we are delighted to announce the beginning of regular workshops here at Hay Castle.

Are you curious about Shakespeare? Would you like to learn more, share what you know and ‘Have-A-Go’ in an informal environment with a like-minded group? Come for tea, a chat and a bash at Shakespeare. No experience or prior knowledge necessary!

The sessions are run by our Artistic Directors, Sue Best and Phil Bowen, who have a lifetime’s experience of working with Shakespeare in a professional and participatory context. The workshops offer an opportunity for all-comers to ‘Have-A-Go’ at Shakespeare in a fun and supportive environment and facilitate discussion around the themes of the plays in both a historical and current context.

£7.50 per session - payable on the day.

All welcome! No experience necessary

Further session on:


Tuesday 8 April


PAY ON THE DOOR (£7.50)
Have-a-go-Shakespeare

Have-a-go-Shakespeare

with the Willow Globe

Venue: Hay Castle Clore Learning Space
Read more

Have-A-Go Shakespeare

Following our popular taster session in December, we are delighted to announce the beginning of regular workshops here at Hay Castle.

Are you curious about Shakespeare? Would you like to learn more, share what you know and ‘Have-A-Go’ in an informal environment with a like-minded group? Come for tea, a chat and a bash at Shakespeare. No experience or prior knowledge necessary!

The sessions are run by our Artistic Directors, Sue Best and Phil Bowen, who have a lifetime’s experience of working with Shakespeare in a professional and participatory context. The workshops offer an opportunity for all-comers to ‘Have-A-Go’ at Shakespeare in a fun and supportive environment and facilitate discussion around the themes of the plays in both a historical and current context.

£7.50 per session - payable on the day.

All welcome! No experience necessary



PAY ON THE DOOR (£7.50)
Have-a-go-Shakespeare