Walks in Ross on Wye: Beside the Wye

1. The walk starts from the riverside bandstand, in Wye Street. 

Wye Street was the main route into Ross from Hereford before the current road that passes below the Gazebo Tower Built in the 1820s.

2. On reaching a large grassy area known as The Ropewalk you will see a superb metal sculpture.

This was made by the internationally renowned local sculptor, Walenty Pytel, and is entitled “Swans in Flight”.

The path eventually bears right and meets the road leading into the grounds of Ross-on-Wye Rowing Club.

3. Cross the road and continue over the bridge that crosses the Rudhall Brook. Bear left, round the perimeter of the rowing club, following the direction markers for the Wye Valley Walk. Shortly after re-crossing the Rudhall Brook, the path bears half-right and rejoins the river bank.

As you head towards the bridge that takes the main A40 dual carriageway across the Wye, don’t forget to look back to see the world famous view of Ross. Across the river, to the left the restored ruins of Wilton Castle can be seen.

 4. Pass beneath the bridge and continue alongside the river, enjoying the views to the left towards Wyelea and Ashe Ingen Court. About half a mile beyond the bridge follow the Wye Valley Walk markers as the path bears right, away from the river, and then left onto the path of the dismantled Hereford to Ross railway line.

Continue along the old railway line for about half a mile, then look for a gate down a short flight of steps on your right. Go down the steps, through the gate and walk along the edge of a field until you reach the river bank once again at a point with a wooden bench where the path meets a farm track.

 5. The route of the walk follows this track to the right but it is worthwhile walking a 0.4 mile deviation to the left and back.

 6. A little further are the splendid pillars of Backney Railway bridge which originally supported six spans of timber, that were removed when Beeching closed the line in 1965

 7. Go through a wooden five bar gate and continue towards St Michael’s Church.

 8. Keep to the left hand tarmac path and you will pass a house perched high on the bank to your left, marked with a circular blue plaque.

This is Thrushes Nest, the home of Sir Frederick Burroughs, a native of Ross who started work as a porter at Ross railway station and rose to become the last British Governor of Bengal. He was reported as saying at the time of his investiture: “I know more about shunting and tooting than hunting and shooting”. As you continue along the path, remains of the old town wall can be seen on your left.

At the end of The Ropewalk swing right back towards the river to join the tarmac path; turn left and walk downstream to your start point at the Bandstand.