The Hours Cafe Bookshop & Deli
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The Hours Cafe Bookshop & Deli
In a gorgeous old green building on Ship Street, just a stone's throw from the river, you'll find one of the town's most loved gems - a cafe serving fresh homemade food, and a bookshop selling a carefully curated selection of books (new and old), 'bookish' gifts, and an upstairs gallery showcasing the work of established and emerging artists.

The Hours is a cafe, a bookshop, a gallery, a meeting place, a foodie and cultural hub, and a warm welcome always awaits. Come and see for yourselves. Acclaimed winners of Brecon Beacons Tourism's 'Best Eating Out Experience'; The Hours has been designated the best cafe in the National Park. We regularly run literary and foodie events, and are a venue for Brecon Jazz and Brecon Women's Festival each year.
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Acclaimed winners of Brecon Beacons Tourism's 'Best Eating Out Experience'; The Hours is a local gem. You can book 'The Hours' for a special occasion, gathering or meeting - ours is a unique environment which offers a gallery space for meetings or our full downstairs space 'out of hours'. We cater for private dining events, supper evenings, baby showers, birthday parties, anniversaries, or any other special occasion.
We don't think we can describe the bookshop better than The Guardian did when they compiled their list of Britain's best bookshops. Housed in a three-storey Tudor building, all exposed stone walls and inviting nooks, the Hours is a bijou shop stocking just 1,000 covetable titles (fiction, art, poetry, crime, children's titles, walking guides and local interest) in an environment to invite lingering.
Glyn Mathias is a print and broadcasting journalist of over thirty years' standing. He was a lobby correspondent at Westminster for thirteen years; is the former Political Editor of ITN and BBC Wales, and was the Electoral Commission's Commissioner for Wales (2001-2008).

Aimed at tree lovers of all ages, this beautifully illustrated handbook is the first guide to foraging specifically from trees, looking at all the incredible things we can get and make from them, from food and remedies to toys, whistles and ink.Words and ideas, poetry and letterpress, walking and baking, haiku and horses - but not all at the same time!'
Reviews (15)
Elizabeth Ellis
Elizabeth Ellis
Jan 29, 2022
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Yet another delicious lunch at The Hours...homemade quiche is a must have and there is always a warm welcome for humans and dogs alike( even though we were dogless on this occasion!) Definitely one of the best places to eat and refresh in Brecon!
Gt B.
Gt B.
Jan 11, 2022
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This is just one of those unique places that you stumble across. Cafe and a bookshop - perfect combination for me. Absolutely loved it.
Sarah Izatt
Sarah Izatt
Nov 06, 2021
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Gorgeous little place and lovely lunch and the most wonderful staff. Another of my go to places when I can. Highly recommend.♥️♥️
Liz Hyde
Liz Hyde
Oct 30, 2021
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Very small cafe, selling good quality food and beverages by very friendly staff
Tim Twodiet
Tim Twodiet
Sep 30, 2021
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Quirky little place, due to its age the 1st floor is on a slant which only adds to the charm. Very friendly prompt service. Food was delicious. Highly reccomend.
Huw Samuel
Huw Samuel
Sep 01, 2021
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What a lucky find.......a really friendly cafe / bookshop.... worth seeking out. Lovely cake... highly recommended
Sarah-Jayne Needham
Sarah-Jayne Needham
Jun 17, 2021
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Lovely quaint little cafe. Lovely fresh cake and coffee. Very friendly staff. Highly recommend over visiting a chain coffee shop
Jessica Flynn
Jessica Flynn
Aug 17, 2020
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Lovely team, very small space but tables spaced appropriately. Simple food but tasty. Would definitely go here again next time I'm in Brecon and great reasonably priced bookshop downstairs.
Laurence Smythe
Laurence Smythe
Mar 16, 2020
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Great coffee and lunch in a delightful very old building run by friendly people
Helen Louise
Helen Louise
Feb 22, 2020
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Lovely place! The staff were very friendly and accommodating. We had a sandwich and soup which was delicious.
Claire Hales
Claire Hales
Oct 23, 2019
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Fantastic bookshop and cafè. We had a caramel and apple cake and courgette and lime cake, which were both delicious and the tea and coffee were great. We will be back!
Laura Launder
Laura Launder
Oct 13, 2019
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Visited this cafe a few times and its such a welcoming place with great food and amazing cakes. the visits were while planning our wedding in a nearby venue and i fell in love with the rose and pistachio cake, so much so that when our wedding cake order fell through my first thought was this cake. The women in the cafe were so helpful allowing me to order the rose and pistachio and two other cakes. all three looked and most importantly tasted beautiful. thank you so much and would recommend to everyone who will listen
Sue Bickerton
Sue Bickerton
Oct 10, 2019
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Great wee find. Cosy, with friendly staff. Lovey quiche for lunch, highly recommend.
Shaun Jennison
Shaun Jennison
Sep 26, 2019
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Really nice decor and a lovely setting. The only cons letting it down are:
Its very small, the menu is limited due to such a small kitchen size and the prices are pretty steep. Definitely not a place to take children as the menu didn't really cater for them unless you just want cake. If you are a couple though and looking for cuppa and cake its recommended.
Valerie Davies
Valerie Davies
Dec 23, 2017
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The Hours Cafe combines a very pleasant cafe serving drinks, snacks and light lunches with a book shop and meeting place. Never disappointed with the food. All this in one of the oldest wonky buildings in Brecon!
There is an upstairs room where they have exhibitions and events. Also there are music events in the evenings especially during the Brecon Jazz Festival held every August in the town.