Page 12 - The Ultimate Herefordshire Guide 2017

birthplace of tourism wye valley Ross-on-Wye
john kyrle carnival man of ross scenic
Hailed the birthplace of tourism back in 1745, Ross-on-Wye offers the perfect opportunity to view some of the most breathtaking scenery and landscapes to anybody visiting south Herefordshire.
With easy access from the M50 and M5, and also to The Wye Valley, Forest of Dean and Symonds Yat, your visit will simply be packed with things to do. In the 1850’s the Wye Tour was a favourite amongst visitors and Ross was established as a tourist area. Today many still enjoy the same tour, and canoeing down or walking by the River Wye are now part of everyday life in this delightful town.
The Prospect viewpoint in St Mary’s Churchyard, created by benefactor John Kyrle, to gaze across the River Wye and beyond is a must-stop point.
The legacy of this philanthropist can be seen throughout the town, with the local grammar school named after him and he became known as the Man of Ross, which also became the name of a local pub. Rather quaintly Ross has had a long association with hedgehogs, and it became an ancient symbol of the town, still holding lots of references to the prickly little creature around the area. There is even a hedgehog festival in September, a lovely family way to celebrate the animal and other wildlife.
10 The ULTIMATE Herefordshire Guide
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