A Festival to Remember 2025: Walking, Words & Wonderful People

By Sarah Price, Walk Hay

Every May, my hometown of Hay-on-Wye transforms into a vibrant hub of ideas, storytelling, creativity, and connection as the Hay Festival takes over. For those of us who live here, it’s always a joy to see our small town bustling with energy. But this year, something incredibly special happened: I was invited to be a part of the official festival programme!

As the founder of Walk Hay, a qualified and experienced local guide, I was thrilled to be asked to lead three guided walks, all of which were part of the main festival line-up and fully booked in advance. Each walk was supported by Inntravel, a brilliant company specialising in self-guided walking holidays, and each featured a fascinating guest or theme.

My job?

To design and lead circular routes that reflected the landscape, stories, and spirit of the authors and ideas being shared — all while ‘herding’ twenty or so enthusiastic festival-goers across field and footpath. A joyful challenge!

Walk One: The Borders Walk with Kate Humble

The first walk I led was called The Borders Walk, featuring none other than broadcaster and author Kate Humble, someone I hugely admire. Kate’s books Humble by Nature and Thinking on My Feet are favourites of mine, and I love her down-to-earth approach to life, nature, and walking.

Here’s how the festival described it:

“Join broadcaster and author Kate Humble… on a walk exploring the border between England and Wales, which wraps itself tightly around Hay-on-Wye. Chat to Kate – who styles herself ‘happier outdoors than in’ – about her love of the countryside, and why going for a daily walk is as essential as that first cup of tea, to make her feel good for the rest of the day.”

Despite the drizzle (and it really did drizzle), it was a magical walk. We meandered through fields and along quiet footpaths just outside town, sharing stories, looking at trees, and talking about the subtle beauty of this landscape. Kate was everything I hoped she’d be — gracious, warm, funny, and genuinely passionate about the outdoors. She made time to speak to every walker, and after we returned, she stayed to chat and take photos with anyone who wanted to meet her. I even got a selfie

with her, and yes — I was a bit starstruck, and yes — I was chuffed to bits!

Walk Two: It’s Not Everest… But It Felt Pretty Epic!

The second walk was titled “It’s Not Everest” — but I have to say, it felt pretty huge to me! I had the amazing honour of leading not one, not two, but three Everest summiteers on a walk up into the ancient woodlands of Mousecastle:

• Jo Bradshaw

• Tori James (the first Welsh woman to summit Everest)

• Rebecca Stephens (the first British woman)

We were also joined by adventurer-researcher Jenny Hall and historian Kate Nicholson.

The route led us from the festival site to Mousecastle Wood, home to gnarled oak trees and a forgotten 14th-century motte-and-bailey site. Along the way, I kept glancing at these amazing women ahead of me, thinking, these women have stood on the roof of the world. It was a little surreal.

What struck me most was how approachable and generous they all were — happily chatting with everyone in the group and offering a sense of calm, grounded wisdom that you just can’t fake. As we returned to the festival site, I asked — somewhat nervously — if they felt I’d led the walk well. I wasn’t fishing for compliments; I genuinely wanted feedback from people who are not only climbers but experienced expedition leaders, operating on a level far beyond mine.

Their response? A warm, confident yes. They told me the walk was great, which honestly meant the world. Coming from women who have led teams on some of the toughest terrain on Earth, that reassurance was a real boost — and something I’ll carry with me on future walks.

Walk Three: Ancient Paths with Cerys Matthews & Phoebe Smith

My third and final walk of the week was another pinch-me moment. Titled “Ancient Paths”, it featured Cerys Matthews, well-known Welsh singer-songwriter (formerly of Catatonia), and Phoebe Smith, adventurer, author, and travel writer.

“Join Phoebe Smith… and Cerys Matthews to walk parts of the ancient ways around Hay-on-Wye, from the well-known Offa’s Dyke to lesser-known cart tracks and paths… Explore with Phoebe and discuss how nature and place can be powerful forces for healing, understanding and discovering selfhood.”

I had just finished reading Phoebe’s latest book Wayfarer: Love, Loss and Life on Britain’s Pilgrim Paths, which I absolutely loved — it’s a powerful mix of personal reflection, walking, and spiritual journeying. To lead a walk with her, along ancient tracks I know so well, felt incredibly fitting.

Both Phoebe and Cerys were down-to-earth, thoughtful, and happy to engage with everyone on the walk. We had a festival photographer join us to capture the mood, and again, I was lucky enough to get selfies with both guests at the end — something I’ll treasure.

So… What Next?

All three walks were uplifting, inspiring, and a real honour to be part of. Many of the participants I spoke to said they’d love to see more guided walks in next year’s programme, and a few even suggested that I pitch ideas myself. I might just do that!

I haven’t written a book (yet!), but I’d love to collaborate with authors and creatives to design future walks that inspire reflection, creativity, and connection to nature. The combination of landscape and story is something that runs deep in this place — and in what I love to offer through Walk Hay.

To everyone who walked with me: thank you.To the Hay Festival team and Inntravel: thank you.And to these inspiring guests — you reminded me that walking can take you far… even all the way to the top of the world.

See you on the footpath,

Sarah x