The Brecon Beacons National Park

Brecon Beacons National Park one of Britains breathing spaces

The Guardian Hay Festival

@ Hay on Wye

Nine days - nine venues.

We invite the writers and performers (great writers work in all media) we most admire. We try to bring the greatest contemporary practitioners and the most exciting new voices.

Peter Florence, festival director say of this year's festival: 'Our twenty-first birthday is a chance to mature our commitment to being local and global, to champion great creative writing in all media, to respect the blessing of this staggeringly beautiful natural environment, to deepen our engagement with the most passionately held beliefs that fuel conflict around the world, and to throw ourselves headlong into the pursuit of a really good time'

For the children there is Hay Fever - completely dedicated to young people. Every year Hay Fever brings your favourite authors and illustrators to a field in Wales, at the ready to be quizzed, photographed and generally adored by you and only you – they might even sign the odd book or two.

The Children's Zone is a great tent where you can come and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the festival. There are stacks of bits and pieces you can get up to by yourself or with friends. A fantastic free library will be available, so you can have a good root around and find something to read. All week storytelling, crafts, competitions and lots more will be taking place.

...and the Hay Baby Space means you don’t have to worry about your little brother or sister stopping you having fun at Hay this year. We’ve got a whole tent where your sibling will be thoroughly entertained (along with an accompanying adult). Jam-packed as it is with beautiful Mamas & Papas toys, Baby Book Worm stories and Live FUNtastic tunes, they can play there all day while you enjoy our main stages.

The Guardian Hay Festival is in Hay on Wye Powys

The Brecon Beacons National Park

The Brecon Beacons National Park