Castello de Haye

Natural skincare, artisan soaps, fragrance and gifts from Hay-on-Wye

Founded in Hay-on-Wye in 2010, Castello de Haye is an independent natural skincare business rooted in the landscape, plants and stories of the Welsh borders. From botanical soaps and Castile soap to essential oils, balms and natural room mists, its own collections are handcrafted using carefully chosen ingredients and the spring water of Swan’s Well near Hay-on-Wye.

The story behind the name reaches further back. Castello de Haye takes its name from a 12th-century castle site near Swan’s Well, known locally as The Tump. Local legend also connects the well with Ceinwen, a hermitess associated with its waters. That connection between place, history and the natural landscape continues through the products made in Hay today.

Castello de Haye’s handmade range draws on ingredients including lavender, chamomile, wild herbs, essential oils and cold-pressed plant oils. Products are made without parabens, sulphates, synthetic fragrances, palm oil or SLS, are cruelty-free, and are packaged with an emphasis on recyclable and biodegradable materials. Alongside its own skincare and fragrance collections, Castello de Haye also brings together selected European perfumes, soaps, home fragrances and gifts.

For visitors, it adds another reason to spend time exploring Hay-on-Wye. Internationally known for its books, the town is also home to a thriving community of independent businesses, makers and producers. Combine a visit with browsing Hay’s shops, exploring the castle or planning your trip around Hay Market Day, when independent traders bring food, crafts, produce and plenty of local conversation into the heart of town.

Whether you’re looking for natural skincare, a fragrance to take home, a Welsh-made gift or simply enjoy discovering independent businesses with a story behind what they make, Castello de Haye brings together botanical ingredients, local heritage and more than fifteen years of making in Hay-on-Wye.