Fungi Town, Hay-on-Wye, is a new kind of happening: a fungal takeover of an entire town in celebration of the weird and wonderful world of mushrooms, toadstools, lichens, moulds, and yeasts.   

What began as a pop-up event in Hay Castle for UK Fungus Day 2024 is mushrooming into an annual celebration involving the whole town – from shops and businesses to schools and the local community.  

Fungi Town 2025 brought together experts, growers, artists, and businesses for an exciting line up of fungi talks, workshops, films, exhibitions, feasts, art, music, and more.  Hosted in Hay Castle and venues across town, the event was described as “the best community event in Hay ever!”  

We are now planning Fungi Town 2026 (2-4 October) – so, whether you're a curious newcomer or a lifelong fanatic, sign up to our mailing list and save the date.  

Let us take you to Fungi Town!

About

THANK YOU FOR FUNGI TOWN 2025

 

Thank you to our wonderful funders - Bannau Brycheiniog Sustainable Development Fund, Herefordshire Community Foundation, and Mycopunks – for your belief and support.

 

Thank you too to our incredibly generous community of supporters who have donated their energy, encouragement, enthusiasm, advice, money and practical help. With special thanks to:

 

Abi Coombs, Adam Davies, Aidan Saunders, Alex Forsyth, Ali McKernan, Alice Pefanis, Alice Sherwood, Amy LeBailly, Andrew Craven, Andrew Smith, Anja Shortland, Annie Berry, Antoine Mouquod, Ashley Goldbirch, Ben Gibson, Ben Sessa, Bridie Sullivan, Catherine Barr, Catherine Bolton, Charlie Westhead, Chris Dowdeswell, Daisy Ruse, Dan Ryan, Danielle Miller, Dawn Farnworth, Declan Lyons, Derek Glashan, Dora Prescott, Edith Thomas, Emily Daw, Emma Thompson, Emanation Smith, Fawn, Fox Family, Georgie Sampson, Hannah Burson, Hannah Gilkes, Harry Adamson, Harry Botley, Hax and Tarik, Jacqui Banks, James Dacre, James Scrivens, James Wise, Jean Anderson, Jim & Flo Stoney, Johnny Kramer, Jonny Spencer, Joseph Emmett, Jules North, Kate Brotherton-Ratcliffe, Kate Humble, Layla Robinson, Lee Davies, Liz Knight, Lydia Crimp, Mark Sullivan, Marley Burns, Marlow Renton, Mary Pardoe, Merlin Sheldrake, Michael & Charmaine McHugo, Moo Hart, Nancy Albert, Natalie Evans, Nico Leslie, Nina Lyon, Oscar Lee, Pat Stirling, Patricia Morgan, Peter Wellham, Pete & Cori Norton, Reet Prendergast, Robert & Lucy Collingwood, Rob Robinson, Sam & Faith Barcroft, Sandro Agorini, Sean Fraser, Steve Hart, Sharon Hart, Simon Forrester, Simon Poffley, Simon Thomas, Smithy, Sophie Ferrier, Stephen Purse, Steve Hart, Steve Salter, Stu Roberts, Sue Malthouse, Summer Hale, Tim Kaye, Tobias Parker, Todd Trethowan, Tom Owen, Tom & Jo Arnott, Tony John, True Family, Webster Wickham, Yuli Gates.

 

And finally, to the extraordinary people and businesses of Hay, and the whole team at Hay Castle, who have played such an amazing part in creating the UK’s first Fungi Town – THANK YOU!

  • Run by the British Mycological Society, UK Fungus Day is an annual celebration of our fungal world with events and activities https://www.ukfungusday.co.uk/whatson taking place across the country.


    For more information visit: https://www.ukfungusday.co.uk/  

  • Join a group

    A great way to learn about wild fungi in your area and meet likeminded people and experts is to join a local fungus survey group. The nearest group to Hay is the Herefordshire Fungus Survey Group (http://www.herefordfungi.org/) 


    Buy a good guide book

    We recommend the following:

    • Mushrooms by Roger Phillips

    • Fascinated by Fungi by Pat O’Reilly

    • Collins Complete British Mushrooms and Toadstools by Paul Sterry, Barry Hughes

    • Edible Mushrooms by Geoff Dann

    • Mushroom Foraging Guide by Wild Food UK

    For more advanced guides we recommend any books or keys by Geoffrey Kibby.

  • A fungal reading list

    • Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake

    • Fungi by Ali Ashby and Lynne Boddy

    • Mycelium Running by Paul Stamets

    • Mycophilia by Eugenia Bone

    • In Search of Mycotopia by Doug Bierend

    • The Lives of Fungi by Britt A Bunyard

    • What a Mushroom Lives For by Michael Hathaway

  • “All fungi are edible. Some fungi are only edible once.”

    Terry Pratchett

    Irresponsible or illegal collection of wild mushrooms presents potential risks to people, ecosystems and the fungi themselves. 

    See below for some guidelines on how to collect fungi safely, responsibly and legally. 

    Never munch on a hunch!

    Only ever consume a wild fungus if you are absolutely certain of its identification.  It could be rare and protected, inedible or even deadly poisonous.  Use reference books to identify them.  Fungi can be notoriously difficult to identify, so if you're unsure it's best to leave it.

    Leave plenty behind

    Forage carefully to leave enough for wildlife to eat and to ensure the fungi can regenerate and reproduce.  Only take mushrooms that have opened their caps (so are likely to have dropped their spores).

    Minimise damage 

    Follow the Countryside Code.  

    Only collect from plentiful populations and never from rare species.  

    Be careful not to trample or damage the areas you are collecting from and never collect in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). 

    Don’t break the law!

    It is illegal to dig up or remove fungi without permission from the landowner or occupier.   

    All wild fungi are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and some - such as wild Lion’s Mane - are so rare that they must never be picked or cut.  

    So-called ‘magic mushrooms’ (those species that contain the chemical psilocybin) are categorised as a class A drug in the UK, with the maximum penalty for possession being up to seven years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.

    Further advice and information

FAQs

How to find us

Hay-on-Wye lies on the Welsh side of the Welsh/English border in the County of Powys, Wales. Our postcode at Hay Castle is HR3 5DG

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

By Train

The nearest railway station is Hereford, 21 miles away.

By Bus

BY CAR

  • Charging: You'll find four fast electric charging points in Oxford Road car park in the centre of Hay-on-Wye (HR3 5EQ) and further charging points a five-minute walk away.

  • Parking: Oxford Road car park (HR3 5EQ) is a long-stay car park for all vehicle types.

accommodation

The town of Hay-on-Wye is set in the outstanding beauty of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Thanks to its famous literary festival (“The Hay Festival”), the town is used to hosting large numbers of visitors, with accommodation to suit all budgets.

The famous "town of books" offers visitors a choice of accommodation, ranging from hotels and excellent B&Bs to cottages, rustic cabins, and student-style hostels, both in the town and in the scenic surrounding area.

Booking Platforms:

We recommend looking at Where the Wye Wanders

There are also many Airbnb options in and around Hay-on-Wye as well as Booking.com and Trip Advisor .

Useful local links also include:

About Hay on Wye

Hay-on-Wye, a picturesque market town on the Welsh-English border, is a treasure trove for book lovers and a delightful destination for travellers. Nicknamed the "Town of Books," it earned its reputation thanks to Richard Booth, who established its first bookshop in 1961. This sparked a trend that transformed the town into the world's first "Book Town," boasting over 20 independent bookshops today, each filled with rare finds, second-hand treasures, and literary gems.

The Hay Festival, a globally renowned literary event held annually in late May and early June, draws over 100,000 visitors from around the world. Dubbed by Bill Clinton as "the Woodstock of the mind," the festival features a vibrant program of readings, discussions, and performances, bringing together luminaries from literature, politics, science, and the arts.

Beyond books, Hay-on-Wye enchants visitors with its charming cafes, antique shops, and craft galleries, perfect for leisurely browsing. Hay Castle, recently restored, adds a layer of historical intrigue with its exhibitions and events. Outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring the surrounding Brecon Beacons and Wye Valley, with highlights like the Offa’s Dyke Path and the panoramic views from Hay Bluff.

Whether you’re there for a literary escape, to enjoy its independent spirit, or to savour Welsh landscapes, Hay-on-Wye offers a unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty.

About Hay Castle

Hay Castle is a stunning architectural gem, blending medieval heritage with contemporary design. It stands as a beacon of art, culture, history, and gastronomy at the heart of the Town of Books.

Originally built in the 12th century as a border stronghold for the De Braose family, Hay Castle has suffered destruction by fire and siege warfare across the centuries. Now, following a major renovation, it is a shining jewel in the crown of Hay-on-Wye.

A centre for arts, literature, and learning in the historic Welsh market town of Hay-on-Wye, the Castle is home to a beautifully restored medieval keep, an exciting new art gallery, and a programme of creative workshops—not to mention a delightful shop and café. This unique blend of old and new architecture has something to offer all visitors.

Boasting the best rooftop views of Hay and the winding Wye, Hay Castle also offers a stunning animation in the cellar, medieval costumes to try on, a variety of exhibitions, the crown jewels of the Independent Kingdom of Hay, the original Honesty Bookshop, and the space to explore—or simply relax in—the grounds.

The castle and its beautiful grounds are striking spaces for private and community events, as well as hosting a programme of exhibitions, musical and dramatic performances, workshops, performing arts, and cultural activities.

haycastletrust.org