Fungi Town is a free, family-friendly event taking place in Hay-on-Wye on the weekend of UK Fungus Day (3–5 October 2025) dedicated to the unbelievable, weird and wonderful world of mushrooms, toadstools, lichens, moulds and yeasts.
Led by a team of volunteers and enthusiasts, the event will bring together leading experts, growers, artists, and businesses for an exciting lineup of talks, workshops, films, exhibitions, feasts, art and more.
Fungi Town is the first event of its kind in the UK - a fungal takeover of an entire town! Hosted in the beautifully renovated Hay Castle, and by shops and venues across Hay, this is a community-led and playful celebration of mushrooms in all their amazingness.
Whether you're a curious newcomer or a lifelong fanatic, join us for a weekend of discovery, creativity and connection — all inspired by the magic of fungi.
About
How to find us
Hay-on-Wye lies on the Welsh side of the Welsh/English border in the County of Powys, Wales.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The nearest railway station is Hereford, 21 miles away. Hereford bus station is served by National Express coaches.
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 the many Airbnb options in and around Hay-on-Wye.
Booking.com and Trip Advisor also feature a choice of options in the area.
Useful local links 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.
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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.
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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
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“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
British Mycological Society www.britmycolsoc.org.uk
Woodland Trust www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
Countryside Code publishing.service.gov.uk
Wildlife & Countryside Act www.legislation.gov.uk
Scottish Wild Mushroom Code cairngorms.co.uk
FAQs
