Old Black Lion Inn Hay On Wye
Let’s talk about the Old Black Lion Inn in Hay-on-Wye—a town famous for books, secondhand shops, and the distinct possibility that someone’s cat is better read than you. This...
Let’s talk about the Old Black Lion Inn in Hay-on-Wye—a town famous for books, secondhand shops, and the distinct possibility that someone’s cat is better read than you. This pub is ancient, dating back to the 1600s, meaning it’s been serving pints since before your great-great-grandparents had indoor plumbing. True story: the building used to be a coaching inn, where weary travelers would stumble in, drink ale, and probably complain about the horse-drawn traffic.
Why It’s Not Just Another Creaky Old Pub
First off, the Old Black Lion is haunted—but not in a scary, “child-demon-whispering-from-the-wall” way. More like a “helpful ghost who rearranges the cutlery” way. Staff swear a spectral barmaid named Molly likes to move glasses around, which is either paranormal activity or the world’s slowest prank. Pro tip: if you see a pint float across the bar, it’s not a special effect—it’s just Molly doing her rounds.
Now, the beer. This place takes its hops very seriously. They serve local ales like “Butty Bach” and “Wye Valley”, which taste so good you’ll consider moving to Hay and becoming a shepherd. I’m not saying the beer has magical properties, but after two pints, you might start agreeing with strangers about the weather.
Must Read
The Food Will Make You Forget Your Own Name
Their menu is a love letter to British comfort food, with a side of “we don’t do kale.” The Welsh rarebit here is so decadent that cardiologists weep with envy. And if you order the steak and ale pie, the crust is so flaky you’ll need a fork, a knife, and a small apology to your arteries. Fun fact: they source local ingredients, so your lamb chop might have been grazing in a field you walked past that morning.
The Old Black Lion Inn — Historic Inn in Hay-on-Wye
Inside, the pub is all crooked floors, low ceilings, and a fireplace that could roast a whole sheep. The beams are so old they probably have medieval graffiti carved into them—just check for initials from 1650. It’s the kind of place where you half-expect a wizard to walk in and order a half-pint of mead.
The Surprising Connection to Literature
Hay-on-Wye is the “town of books,” so naturally the Old Black Lion has literary street cred. It’s a favorite haunt of authors during the annual Hay Festival, meaning you might sip a cider next to someone who’s won the Booker Prize. Allegedly, one writer once sketched a draft of a novel on a napkin here—that napkin is now probably in a museum, or more likely, used to wipe up a spill.
Stay | Savio Wong's Travel Tips and Reports
If you visit, do not—I repeat, do not—ask for a light beer. The locals will judge you so hard you’ll feel their stares through the leaded glass windows. Stick to a proper bitter or a single malt whisky, and you’ll be fine.
Final Word
The Old Black Lion is not hip, modern, or Instagram-friendly—unless your aesthetic is “cozy 17th-century dungeon chic.” But that’s why it’s perfect. It’s a boozy, historic, ghost-adjacent sanctuary where the beer is cold, the fire is hot, and the only thing you must read is the menu. Go for the books, stay for the ale, and please don’t annoy Molly the ghost.
