Food in Hay Castle Café
Visit the popular Hay Castle Café and enjoy some mushroom-themed dishes
Windows of Fungi Town
As Hay is transformed into the UK’s first ever Fungi Town local shops will be dressing for the occasion. Take a tour of the town’s shop windows and choose your favourite display.
Fungi Town Foray
Join seasoned guide, Head of Nature at The Lost Gardens of Heligan, and self-declared ‘mushroom tickler’ Dan Ryan, for a family-friendly fungi hunt through the hills above Hay. Whether you’re a curious beginner or experienced mycologist, all are welcome.
Dress for the weather, wear sturdy boots and, if you have them, bring a basket, small containers, penknife and hand lens.
NB: This isn't a forage for food, but a chance to get a closer look at Hay's rich fungal diversity, and collect specimens to display in the castle.
Spores and Stories
How did you get into this?
An informal discussion with emerging mycologists, artists and fungi folk, tracing the unusual and often winding paths people take into the world of fungi. Presented by The Culturing Dish.
Fungi: Web of Life
Narrated by Björk, Fungi: Web of Life follows biologist Dr. Merlin Sheldrake into the hidden world beneath our feet. From ancient rainforests to stunning time-lapse footage, discover how fungi connect all life on Earth - and may hold the key to our future.
From chicken shed to mushroom farm: ReFarm
A short film telling the incredible story of a five-year mission to convert former Norfolk chicken sheds into a mushroom farm. Using less water, space, and minimal resources, this breakthrough method could reshape the future of food production.
Discover the Magic of Mushrooms
Join Ali McKernan - the FUNgi Guy - for a family introduction to the extraordinary world of mushrooms and toadstools
Growers Helpdesk
Your chance to ask some of Wales’ leading mushroom farmers for tips and advice on growing your own Oyster mushrooms, Lion’s Mane or Shiitake.
Fungal Rummage
Discover the variety of mushrooms, toadstools and lichens collected from around Hay. Bring in unusual fungi and see if we can identify them.
Science Corner
Take a look at the microscopic world of soil, spores, and hyphae with the team from Hay Regenerative Soils.
Make A Mushroom Patch
Join Abi from Oil & Oak and have some fun creating your own unique Mushroom Patch. Using fabric as collage, basic hand sewing techniques and fabric paint you’ll create a patch of dreams.
Suitable for all abilities, no sewing experience need, all materials provided.
Book on Oil & Oak website: www.oilandoak.co.uk/workshops
Mushrooms and Mental Health
A fascinating discussion between clinical psychiatrist and leading expert Dr Ben Sessa and local author Nina Lyon about the science of mushrooms, and their use in treating issues such as addiction, depression and PTSD.
Fungus Among Us
From fungi leather to packaging, discover how scientists and designers are working with nature’s secret engineers to tackle real world problems, with Dr. Peter Wellham (Really Clever Co.) and Adam Davies (Ty Syml)
BOOK TICKETS ON HAY CASTLE WEBSITE
Make and Print a Mushroom Pennant
Join Abi from Oil & Oak and have some fun creating your own unique Mushroom Pennant. We’ll use calico and cut out your Pennant before designing your mushroom stamp and printing it onto your pennant. You can add some tassels or fringe too!
Suitable for all abilities, no sewing experience need, all materials provided.
Book on Oil & Oak website: www.oilandoak.co.uk/workshops
Follow the Rain
Join fungi experts Stephen Axford and Catherine Marciniak on a stunning journey through Australia’s wild landscapes. With breathtaking imagery and a soundtrack of symphonic proportions, Follow the Rain is a sensory experience that unearths the foundation of life down under.
Screening to be hosted by Hay Castle.
Why Fungi Matter
Dive into the past, present and future of nature’s forgotten kingdom with Professor Katie Field from Sheffield University
Mushroom Printing Workshop
Join artist and printmaker Yuli Gates for a hands-on introduction to the art of lino printmaking — with a twist. In this workshop, you’ll learn traditional carving and printing techniques while exploring the fascinating process of creating natural printmaing inks from mushrooms, as detailed in the book and website: The Mushroom Color Atlas.
Fermentation Workshop
Join local writer and yeast expert Simon Poffley from The Fermentarium for a deep dive into the fizzy, flavoursome world of yeast-based drinks. Learn about the cultural journey of kombucha from Tibet to California, wrap your taste-buds around different yeast-derived items, and create your own kombucha
