Major city · United Kingdom
Ross-on-WyeRhosan ar Wy
Give Ross-on-Wye one night, or a half-day stop between Hereford and Gloucester: the town itself is 2–3 hours, the Wye Valley and Goodrich Castle need a car.
Ross-on-Wye is a small market town of about 10,500 people on the river Wye, in Herefordshire, at the northern edge of the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean. It has no railway station, so it works as a car-based base or a bus stop between Hereford and Gloucester. The draw is the river, the antique trade, the 13th-century church spire and Symonds Yat, 6 miles south.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (wet, short days, many attractions closed)
- Airports
- BRS · BHX · CWL
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ross-on-Wye999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ross-on-Wye, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA low-crime market town; the main issues are weekend pub drinkers, unlit lanes and riverside paths at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 112 police, fire, ambulance (eu-wide) · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBRS Bristol (About 1 h 30 min by car via the M5 and M50).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable in 15 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
- BeerPint of draught beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town£6–10 (≈ US$8–14)
- Metro or bus rideBus Hereford ↔ Ross, single£5–7 (≈ US$7–10)
- Museum or sight ticketGoodrich Castle entry£10–12 (≈ US$14–16) adult
- Budget bedHostel or pub bunk bed, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedPub or B&B double room, a night, per room£130 (≈ US$180)
- High-end bedPub or B&B double room, a night, per room£220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £95 (≈ US$130) · High £160 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BRS Bristol (About 1 h 30 min by car via the M5 and M50) · BHX Birmingham (About 1 h 30 min by car via the M5 and M50) · CWL Cardiff (About 1 h 15 min by car via the A40 and M4)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Jun (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ross-on-Wye: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable in 15 minutes end to end. Buses run roughly hourly to Hereford and Gloucester (Stagecoach) and every other hour to Monmouth (Nick Maddy Coaches). For Goodrich Castle, Symonds Yat and the Forest of Dean, a car is the practical option; taxis are limited and should be booked.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Goodrich Castle
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via the B4234 and Goodrich, about 15 min
English Heritage red sandstone castle above the Wye; check opening days and entry prices before you go.
Symonds Yat and Yat Rock
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via the B4234 and B4432, about 15 min
Viewpoint over the Wye gorge; forest trails from the car park. Go early on summer weekends.
Door to door: About 45–60 min
Stagecoach bus from the town centre, roughly hourly
Cathedral, Mappa Mundi and a larger market town; check the last bus back.
Ledbury
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via the A449, about 20 min; no direct bus
Nearest railway station to Ross; useful if you are arriving or leaving by train.
Monmouth
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Nick Maddy Coaches, about every other hour
Crosses into Wales; services are infrequent, so plan around the timetable.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Market Place and High Street)
Walk to the church, market and river; most pubs with rooms are here.
Wye Street and the riverside
River views and the Hope and Anchor; a short walk up to the centre.
Villages west of town (Peterstow, St Owen's Cross)
Self-catering and country inns; you need a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £55–85 (≈ US$75–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- £85–140 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
- High
- £140 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pub or B&B double room1 × 1 night × £130 | £130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £95 | £190 |
| Bus Hereford ↔ Ross, return2 × £12 | £24 |
| Goodrich Castle adult entry2 × £10 | £20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £12 | £24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £39 |
| Trip total≈ £214 per person per day, bed included | £427≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Ross excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £12–20 (≈ US$16–30) |
| Fish and chips | £10–15 (≈ US$14–20) |
| Pint of draught beer | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Bus Hereford ↔ Ross, single | £5–7 (≈ US$7–10) |
| Taxi within town | £6–10 (≈ US$8–14) |
| Goodrich Castle entry | £10–12 (≈ US$14–16) adult |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No railway station: the nearest is Ledbury, about 8 miles north-east, so plan the bus or a car.
- Country lanes are narrow and often single-track; drive slowly and use passing places.
- Many independent shops and some attractions close one or two days a week and in winter: check before you travel.
- River Wye levels rise fast after rain; check conditions before canoeing or riverside walks.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police, fire, ambulance (EU-wide)
- 112
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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Ross-on-WyeRhosan ar Wy
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Ross-on-Wye; the nearest consulates and embassies are in Cardiff and London.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Ross → Hereford: about £5–7 (≈ US$7–10) single, 45–60 min
- Taxi Ross → Goodrich Castle: £12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
- Car hire, one day: £35–60 (≈ US$50–80) plus fuel
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Excuse me — Excuse me / Sorry
- Please — Please
- Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- The bill, please — The bill, please
English is the only language you need here.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ross-on-Wye. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (wet, short days, many attractions closed) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BRS, BHX and CWL: last bus and train times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Market Place and High Street, the church and riverside, Wye Street.
- Place pages with verified opening days (St Mary's, Goodrich Castle, Symonds Yat, the market) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rain and river-level fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialVisit Herefordshire
- officialVisitEngland
- officialEnglish Heritage — Goodrich Castle
- officialStagecoach buses
- officialNational Rail
- secondaryWikivoyage: Ross-on-Wye, revision 4837847 (CC BY-SA 4.0)