Throughout Queen Victoria's reign transport in rural areas depended on the horse. The wealthy could travel in their own carriages, while others could pay to travel on the stage coaches. Few working people could afford this, so they could only travel as far as they could walk.
The tramway from Brecon connected with rural Herefordshire and brought cheaper coal to the border area and showed people what the system could offer.
By the middle of Queen Victoria's reign, the railway came to the area, connecting Hay and the rural communities with the wider world. Gradually travelling outside the area began to be within the grasp of many working people.

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