Hay Castle restoration plan agreed by national park

Plans to restore Hay Castle in Powys have been agreed, with work set to start in spring 2017.

Brecon Beacons National Park Authority approved improvements to the Medieval keep and gatehouse, the mansion house, Victorian coach house and outbuildings.

It comes after Hay Castle Trust received a £4.4m lottery grant and raised £1m itself.

Once complete, the site will be fully open to the public for the first time in its 800 years.

The work will include:

• A gallery on the top floor for touring exhibitions

• A platform at the top of the medieval keep allowing visitors views of the Wye Valley

• An education space for teaching workshops

• A entrance hall in the now derelict eastern wing

• A cafe in the former coach house and kitchen