Ross-on-Wye

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.9144
longitude= -2.5865
population=
official_name= Ross-on-Wye
welsh_name= Rhosan ar Wy
unitary_england= Herefordshire
lieutenancy_england= Herefordshire
region= West Midlands
constituency_westminster= Hereford
post_town= ROSS-ON-WYE
postcode_district= HR9
postcode_area=HR
dial_code= 01989
os_grid_reference= SO597241
static_

static_image_caption=Ross-on-Wye town centre as seen from the Market House.

Ross-on-Wye (Welsh: "Rhosan ar Wy" [ [http://www.kimkat.org/amryw/1_clawdd_offa/22_cymru_dros_glawdd_offa_enwau_euas_eng_cym_0980e.htm Welsh placenames in Herefordshire] ] ) is a small market town with a population of 10,089 (according to the 2001 census) [Cite web |url=http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/docs/Business/eidt_hip_factsheets_aug_2004.pdf |title=Key Statistics |work=Herefordshire Council |format=PDF |accessdate=2008-05-09] in southeastern Herefordshire, England, located on the River Wye, and on the northern edge of the Forest of Dean. The town is known for its antique shops, market square with its market hall and high number of public houses.

History

Ross-on-Wye was the birthplace of the British tourist industry. In 1745, the rector, Dr John Egerton, started taking friends on boat trips down the Valley from the rectory at Ross. The Wye Valley's particular attraction was its river scenery, its precipitous landscapes, and its castles and abbeys, which were accessible to fashionable seekers of the "Picturesque". In 1782, William Gilpin's book "Observations on the River Wye" was published, the first illustrated tour guide to be published in Britain. Once it was published, demand grew so much that by 1808 there were eight boats making regular excursions down the Wye, most of them hired from inns in Ross and Monmouth. By 1850 more than 20 visitors had published their own accounts of the Wye Tour, and the area was established as a tourist area.

Features and attractions

Regular Thursday and Saturday markets are held at the red sandstone [ [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/122719 Ross on Wye, Market hall:: OS grid SO5924 :: Geograph British Isles - photograph every grid square! ] ] Market House building [ [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/624370 Market House, Ross-on-Wye:: OS grid SO5924 :: Geograph British Isles - photograph every grid square! ] ] in the town centre, which was built between 1650 and 1654 replacing an older, probably wooden building.

The 700 year old parish church of St. Mary's [ [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/347879 St Mary Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire:: OS grid SO5924 :: Geograph British Isles - photograph every grid square! ] ] is the town's most prominent landmark and its tall pointed spire is visible when approaching the town from all directions [ [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/467880 Ross-on-Wye from the Bypass:: OS grid SO5924 :: Geograph British Isles - photograph every grid square! ] ] . The church holds several distinctive tombs, one of which – that of a certain William Rudhall (d.1530) – is one of the last great alabaster sculptures from the specialist masons of Nottingham, whose work was prized across medieval Europe. Another tomb is of John Kyrle, a prominent figure in 18th century Ross, whose name is now given to the town's secondary school.

Opposite the church, The Prospect is a neat public garden offering a view of the famous horseshoe bend in the River Wye as well as pleasant views as far as the Black Mountains. Ross now boasts a new skate park which was finished in November 2006. Barclays invested £54,000 into the park as a part of its £30,000,000 youth sport project. The ruins of Wilton Castle lie to the west of the town. Ross Town F.C. is the local football club.

Plague Cross

The Plague Cross, also known as the Corpse Cross, was erected in the church yard of St. Mary's church in 1637 as a memorial to 315 people who died in the town of the plague in 1637. These people were buried nearby in a plague pit, at night and without coffins. [Cite web |url=http://www.ross-on-wye.com/index.php?page=ross_426-Monuments |title=Local Monuments |work=Ross-on-Wye.com |format=HTML |accessdate=2008-05-09]

By 1896, the cross had fallen into disrepair and the top of the cross was missing. It was later restored to its former state.

ee also

* John Kyrle High School

References

External links

* [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/HEF/Ross/History1876.html Littlebury's Directory, 1876-7]
* [http://www.wyenot.com Ross-on-Wye] - A comprehensive photographic tour of Ross-on-Wye and the Wye Valley with both archive and recent photographs. Also contains local events information.
* [http://www.ross-on-wye.com Ross-on-Wye.com] - Contains many photographs, postcards and historical details about the town.