Old Black Lion Inn
Lion Street, town centre · Inn
A Grade II listed 17th-century inn on Lion Street where Cromwell's forces are said to have stayed, with an AA Rosette restaurant and traditional en-suite rooms.
About Old Black Lion Inn
The Old Black Lion Inn stands on Lion Street in the heart of Hay-on-Wye, a Grade II listed building dating to the 17th century with a history that, according to local tradition, includes a stay by Oliver Cromwell's forces during the siege of Hay Castle in 1645. Its age shows in low beams, thick walls and a genuinely historic atmosphere that has made it a long-standing favourite among visitors to the town.
Bedrooms are traditional in style, carpeted and en suite, fitted into a building whose age means rooms vary in shape and size rather than following a uniform hotel template. The inn's restaurant holds an AA Rosette and has been recognised in national pub awards, including a place among the best pubs in Powys and Wales, with a menu built around seasonal and local ingredients served in a series of characterful dining rooms.
Personally run by its proprietors, the Old Black Lion combines the informality of a village pub with a genuine commitment to food and hospitality, and its position on Lion Street puts every bookshop and attraction in the town centre within a short walk. It suits visitors who want a characterful, historic base right in the middle of things.
At a glance
- Property type
- Inn
- Location
- Lion Street, town centre
- Star rating
- 3 star
- Guest score
- 8.9 / 10 (900 reviews)
- Prices from
- £110 per night
- Destination
- Hay-on-Wye