Issue 45 Feb 25 web - Flipbook - Page 128
The Regeneration of Hay
Castle, Hay-On-Wye, Wales
Hay Castle is a unique medieval site in a serene landscape just within Bannau Brycheiniog and is
now open for public benefit following a major conservation-led renovation project. Once on the
at-risk register, the castle has been rescued and transformed into a vibrant, world-class cultural hub
for the arts and education, restoring an ancient gateway connection to its town, and linking medieval
and Jacobean structures with contemporary elements, employing heritage methods with salvaged
materials for a sustainable future.
Sitting on the border of Wales and England at the centre
of Hay-on-Wye, Hay Castle is a unique site comprising a
medieval Scheduled Ancient Monument, a Grade I listed
Jacobean castle house, intriguing Victorian outbuildings
and stable block, and a cherished community green space.
After the best part of 900 years in private ownership and
a major conservation-led renovation project, Hay Castle
is now held for public benefit for the first time in its history.
Through conservation, repair, contemporary design,
interventions enhancing the connection between the castle and its town, and emphasis on quality of craftsmanship
and materials throughout, Hay Castle has been brought
back to life as a vibrant, world-class cultural hub for
people to gather, for learning, and for the arts, at the
beating heart of the town, and amid our beautiful, border
country.
The project brief involved a phased masterplan for the
castle site, including restoration and reopening of the ancient timber gates, a reimagined derelict triple-height firedamaged portion of the castle house, and an enlivened
accessible proposal for the promontory campus linking
disparate elements and bringing contemporary international-standard improvements to build on the town’s
unique reputation for arts and literature, as the ‘town of
books’ and the home of Hay Festivals. The now-public
venue delivers a museum-standard exhibition gallery, a
heritage learning and education suite of community
spaces, interpretative and safe access to medieval areas, a
reception hall for events, a restaurant and commercial
kitchen, a bookshop, a reading room, public realm and
landscape improvements, and staff facilities.
Joining Hay Castle Trust, a client team embedded in the
town’s civic, environmental, and tourism realms, we
helped guide the collaborative and community-supportive
spirit for a holistic sustainable approach to the site’s regeneration, respecting its historical significance and with
a mind to future-proof its robust longevity and business
plan for generations to come.
Below, Hay Castle-MICA Architects, North Elevation
(c)Andy Stagg
