Ross-on-Wye has been called the birthplace of tourism. 250 years ago William Gilpin started offering trips along the River Wye sparking the beginning of tourism in the UK. It’s not hard to see why (or should we say.. Wye), the quant market town has plenty to offer. Being based in some of the UK’s most beautiful countryside, there’s no end of outdoor fun to be had. But don’t worry, for the rainy days there’s also many adventures to be had.
Whether you’re going on holiday or you’re a local looking for some weekend inspiration, we’ve selected some of the best things to do in Ross-on-Wye. Read on to find out more.
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What better way to see the Herefordshire countryside, than to stay in it. Experience the fresh air of nature by staying in a tipi in a traditional apple orchard. We might be slightly biased here, but we think that it’s an ideal way to spend your holiday here in Ross-on-Wye.
The farm that you would be staying on has 1 mile of the River Wye winding through it. The luxury tipis come kitted out with everything you might need from comfy bedding to cooking gear.
We also offer many on-site activities such as…
A trip to Ross-on-Wye wouldn’t be complete without seeing the River Wye which winds its way through the town. But what about doing some yoga to the relaxing backdrop of the river flowing downstream?
You can now take a yoga class on the banks of the river. Don’t worry if you’ve never done it before because the expert teachers cater for beginners and pros alike. We offer private and open classes of yoga for guests and non-guests of our glamping site. And if the weather isn’t suitable to be outdoors, then there is our calming wellness tipi to fall back to.
Whenever we have friends come and visit, we always take them canoeing on the River Wye. It’s one of the most peaceful rivers in the country and canoeing is the perfect way to see the countryside.
The Wye Valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and spending an afternoon slowly drifting down it’s most precious asset, the river Wye, has got to be on your list if you’re coming to visit.
There are many different routes that you can take such as around Symonds Yat (where you’ll see Yat Rock) or there are many trips that leave from Fownhope and end in Ross on Wye.
Whenever we have friends come and visit, we always take them canoeing on the River Wye. It’s one of the most peaceful rivers in the country and canoeing is the perfect way to see the countryside.
The Wye Valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and spending an afternoon slowly drifting down it’s most precious asset, the river Wye, has got to be on your list if you’re coming to visit.
There are many different routes that you can take such as around Symonds Yat (where you’ll see Yat Rock) or there are many trips that leave from Fownhope and end in Ross on Wye.
There are plenty of things to do near Ross on Wye but none are quite as impressive as visiting some of the local castles. There are two castles in particular that are worth checking out, Goodrich Castle and Wilton Castle.
Goodrich Castle is based a 10 minute drive from Ross-on-Wye in the small village of Goodrich. It’s one of the UK’s best preserved castles and it is a lot of fun to explore the grounds, climb the turrets and walk the battlements. Kids and adults alike will have an amazing time imagining the castle as it was back in medieval times. They sometimes hold events and I have fond memories from my own childhood of watching a mock-battle with knights dressed in armor fighting in the castle grounds.
Wilton is closest to Ross town centre as it’s just on the outskirts of town. It’s not quite as big and impressive as Goodrich but it’s definitely worth checking out if you’ve got some time. The castle houses some beautiful gardens that are perfect for wandering through on a sunny afternoon.
There are plenty of great walks in and near Ross-on-Wye. Afterall, it is on the famous Wye Valley Walk. There are two walks that we recommend that will give you some excellent views of the surrounding areas, but there are endless other hikes that you can do too.
May Hill is one of the most iconic hills in the area because it is very easily recognised and can be seen from many locations around the county. It can be spotted because it has a crop of trees on the top, giving it a distinct look.
There’s plenty of nature to keep your eyes open for such as sheep, rare-breed cattle and wild horses. In fact, it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
From the top you will have views that stretch for miles over Gloucester, Herefordshire and beyond.
The good news is that even for those who don’t like walking, you have the option to drive most of the way to the top so that from the car park it is only a short 30 minute hike to the top. Those who are after more of a stretch of the legs can park at the bottom of the hill.
Another top walk is to Coppet Hill. It is close to Goodrich Castle which was mentioned earlier in the article so the two activities pair well. Like May Hill, you will be rewarded at the top with far-stretching views as far as the Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons and Malvern Hills.
There is an unused railway tunnel on the hill which can be spooky! You can also continue walking towards Symonds Yat for an interesting view of Yat Rock.
Looking for something a little more relaxing after all of that walking? We’ve got the perfect idea. You can take a massage. We offer these massages in our wellness tipi or next to the river. It’s a great way to unwind after a long day and really get into that holiday mood.
There are also many things to do around Ross-on-Wye town centre. Being an old market town it has a lot of lovely old buildings and cute little shops.
The Prospect is a public garden that offers some top views over the River Wye and even to the Welsh mountains on a clear day. There is a VE Day Beacon and a War Memorial. On your visit to the Prospect you’ll be next to St Mary’s Church which is the biggest and most impressive church in the town. Wonder through the grounds and admire it.
The market house marks the centre of the town. If you go into Ross then you won’t miss it. This lovely building stands proud in the centre and it’s nice to see. It’s also where all the locals gather on New Years Eve for the midnight countdown.
There are some nice shops in Ross too. You might want to check out the old book shops at the top of town. And afterwards you can pop in for a cup of tea and a slice of cake at Pots and Pieces Teashop.