Four guided farm walks have been jointly organised during the Guardian Hay Festival period (27th May to 6th June) throughout some of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park’s most beautiful countryside. So if you fancy joining our wardens who have the insider knowledge on the Park’s hidden treasures, don your walking boots and come out and discover some of the area’s best spots – you’ll probably even get a lovely cup of tea and some lunch on the way!
The first guided walk will take place to Llwynberried Farm on Monday 31 May 2010 from 9am–1pm. Perfect for visiting families, join local agronomist Jonathon Harrington, Hay Vet, Barney Sampson and National Park Wardens as they lead a visit to the farm run by John and Helen Price to see their prize-winning beef herd which is born, bred and raised with crops grown on the farm. A demonstration of how the animals are fed will be followed by a short walk to see the spring-born calves running with the cows.
On Tuesday 1st June the bus will depart for the Welsh Venison Centre, near Bwlch for a guided tour of the centre from 9am-1pm. It will follow the same format as the day before with a visit to the Welsh Venison Centre run by Andrew and Elaine Morgan. Join them as they walk round the farm, seeing the deer calving and handling some of the lambs.
On Wednesday 2 June 2010, join local guides from 9am–1pm as they lead a visit to the Hill Farm run by Richard and Penny Chantler (as featured on Jimmy Doughty’s Farming Heroes). Situated high on the side of the Black Mountains, the farm produces New Zealand Romneys. See a demonstration of sheep dogs at work, sheep shearing and handle newly-born lambs. Yummy lamb rolls made from the farm produce will be served at the end of a short farm walk.
The final guided walk will be held on Friday 4th June (9.30am – 1.30pm) where there will be a walk with a difference to Hay Bluff and its surrounding area. Join National Park Wardens, Nick Jones and Howard Morgan as they lead a 5 ½ mile walk with poet Ric Hool in the stunning landscape that inspires his work. Ric will be reading extracts at various points in the walk and will also be discussing his influences. Booking is essential for this walk and the meeting place will be at the foot of Hay Bluff car park near the stone circle. For further information or to book your place on this walk please telephone Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority on 01874 623 366.
All meeting points (with the exception of the final walk to Hay Bluff) will be at the Hay Box Office with buses leaving promptly to appropriate destinations. The cost of will be £5.00 per person. Walkers are reminded to wear suitable footwear and waterproof clothing – just in case of true to form Welsh weather. For more information please call the Hay Box Office on 01497 822 629 or email boxoffice@hayfestival.com