If you need to escape the festival crush for a quiet glass in an unfussy rural pub, the Baskerville in Clyro, just a mile from Hay, fits the bill. Known since at least Georgian times (when it was The Swan), it's easy to imagine it's been dispensing the same style of unadorned hospitality to wayfarers, walkers and blow-ins for generations.
Food (mains £12 to £14) and rooms (doubles £85) are available. Hounds are welcome.