Walks in Ross on Wye: Ross-on-Wye Buggy Route

Start by crossing the road from the bandstand to follow the tarmac path to the riverside footpath and turn right. Follow the
path that was installed to provide access along the full length of the riverside towards the Rowing Club.

Opposite to you, across the grassed area, you will see the Ropewalk, so called because its length was that of a standard length of rope and ropes were made here.

The path turns right at the Rowing Club. Walk alongside the Rudhall Brook, head through the metal gates leading to Trenchard Street. Cross the road and go down the path alongside the mural of swans and ducks painted in 2009.

Turn right on to Ryefield Road, continue to the junction with Gloucester Road. Cross Gloucester road and turn left and go slightly downhill. After 200 metres cross busy Alton Road. Follow the path passing in front of the Wolf Business Park until you reach the entrance to “The Town and Country Trail”. Turn right onto the trail and follow it for about 1 and 1⁄4 miles.

The Trail follows the route of a section of the old Ross to Monmouth railway line. You will emerge into a small car park after ascending a short, twisty climb. Go straight across the car park, cross over a road and continue on the track, past the children’s playground on your right. On reaching the main road, cross it using the pedestrian controlled traffic lights. Go straight on to another track with a small stone marker on the left, marking the Betzdorf Walk.

The path is another part of the old railway line and this section has been designated “The Betzdorf Walk” in honour of Ross’s German twin town.

At a crossroad of paths turn right. Cross 2 suburban streets and continue straight ahead between houses. Cross another busier street (Roman Way) and continue straight ahead along a footpath down to the junction with Archenfield Road, opposite Cleeve Lane. Turn right along Archenfield Road.

Just past The Shrubbery on your right, cross over, turn right and continue to the next junction on the left, Turn into Middleton Avenue and continue to the junction with Redhill Road, opposite the entrance to Ashfield Park School.

Turn left and continue along a tarmac drive to the right of Castle Meadow gateway. Just past the top of a slight rise fork right, up a ramp, to the path alongside the school grounds by a high fence. Continue until you reach the end of the path, turn right along private road. Continue to the junction with Walford Road opposite The Prince of Wales Inn. Turn left along the path that rises slightly, towards the Ross Tennis Centre.

After passing the Bowling Club, turn left into Ross Parish Churchyard.

The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin is 13th century and well worth a visit. There are a number of things to see around the church, but do not miss the Prospect Gardens through The Millennium Gates with a beacon and distant views. This was laid out by John Kyrle in 1696 as a space for the people of the town to enjoy. There is also a Plague Cross in the lower right-hand corner of the churchyard commemorating 315 deaths. 

Retrace your route through the churchyard and leave by the same gates. Turn left down Church Street. On your right are the lovely old Rudhall Almshouses.

They were originally a 14th century hospital and were renovated by William Rudhall. They are now administered by The Churches Charitable Trust.

 At the bottom of Church Street, turn left onto High Street.

Just before reaching the junction at the top of the street, stop and look at the houses to the right of Ross Old Books. Note the blocked-up doorways high in the walls. These were, originally at street level. However, when the new road, replacing Wye Street as the main route into Ross, was built in 1824 by Thomas Telford, the level of High Street was lowered to its present position.

At the end of High Street, cross to front of The Man of Ross Inn and down the steep slope of Wye Street back to the bandstand.

At the end of the steep section of note the house high on your left. This has been modernised into a family house with decking and new windows. But notice the archway up the steps from street level. This was the Ross Ice House where ice from the river would be taken in winter for use in the warmer months.