Everyone loves the book festival, but the kids can suffer from mild cultural overload, so Giffords Circus is a great antidote to all those books. Clowns, horses and lots of old fashioned fun, we go back every year and just love it more and more.
If you are interested in books have a trip to Hay. You will find over 30 bookshops selling secondhand books. There are some great places to visit or stay. Try the Three Tuns or The Baskerville - I have stayed at both and they are excellent.
www.haybooks.ukgo.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/yhq4jlx
Seriously good ice cream made from sheep's milk from their own herd and fruit from local growers. Buy a cone and eat it sitting on the grass in the "honesty" bookshop under the castle.
9 High Town, Hay-on-Wye
Tel: 01981 550716 www.shepherdsicecream.co.uk
A peaceful retreat in a beautiful valley, seemingly untouched by the outside world. Walking, horse riding on the doorstep. The book town of Hay-on-Wye is eight miles away. Yoga and drawing weekends. Great vegetarian breakfasts. Singles £25, doubles £40, ensuite £45, children £10.
Pen-y-Maes, Capel-y-Ffin, Powys
01873 890477
www.thebarn-wales.co.uk
Send your feedback or queries to been.there@guardian.co.uk
Search Been there
