Nestled on the border of England and Wales, the picturesque town of Ross-on-Wye is the birthplace of British tourism. For centuries, the town has welcomed visitors wanting to soak up the stunning views of the Wye Valley. The local landscape inspired Wordsworth, Coleridge, Alexander Pope and countless other poets and writers. Our hotel in Ross-on-Wye makes for the perfect base to explore the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, not to mention the nearby Forest of Dean, and the subterranean world of mysteries beneath. The days out don’t end there, what with castles and sculpture trails to tick off too. It’s enough to build up quite the appetite, so have your fill of the local restaurants, and sample some of our favourite pubs. And, if you’ve time to spare, don’t forget a spree around the town’s famous shops and boutiques.
Things to do in Ross-on-Wye
Activities
Find out why Ross-on-Wye became Britain’s first tourist resort with an adventure into the beautiful Wye Valley. It heads up your list of days out that also includes medieval castles, internationally renowned sculpture trails and an underground network of caves only recently opened up to the public.
Shopping
Ross-on-Wye is well known for its picturesque streets of independent shops. People come from miles around, particularly for photogenic facades like those of the Ross Old Book & Print Shop on the High Street, or the Gwalia Independent Store, which dates all the way back to 1872. There’s plenty of bijou boutiques and bric-a-brac stores for exploring during your stay. And, if you’re here on Thursday or Saturday be sure to make your way to Ross-on-Wye’s famous Market House, which dates back to the 17th century and hosts the local markets at the centre of town. If you’d like a memento of your stay then head upstairs in the Market House to the Made in Ross gallery which showcases and sells the work of local artists and makers.
Getting Around
Despite being Britain’s original tourist destination, getting to and from Ross-on-Wye isn’t as easy as you might expect. If you’re driving, the M50 will get you to the M5 in under half an hour. However, if you’re travelling by bus or train then you’ll likely need to travel into Gloucester, Ledbury or Hereford and make your way to Ross-on-Wye by bus from there as the Ross-on-Wye Train Station closed more than 50 years ago. Ledbury is the closest of your three options, however Gloucester has the best bus connections and is served by a wider range of National Rail services.
If you need to get around during your stay, or perhaps you’re planning a trip to some of our recommended pubs and bars, there are several local options when it comes to Ross-on-Wye taxis, with Daves Taxis, Daz Taxis & RJ Taxis among the most popular.
Ross-on-Wye Shopping
