Why visit Ross-on-Wye?
250 years of tourism
When you’re having a glorious time on your Ross-on-Wye camping holiday, thank William Gilpin. In 1770, the clergyman sparked the start of British tourism by organising boat trips on the River Wye and writing a pamphlet to celebrate the virtues of the region. Nowadays, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is just as spectacular as it was a quarter of a century ago, so head here for days on the water or hikes in the surrounding valley.
River Wye adventures
Take to the river at this canoeing hotspot in Herefordshire. You can rent a kayak and go it alone or paddle as part of a group tour. Float downstream under Wilton Bridge towards Goodrich Castle before pausing for a picnic at Kerne Bridge. Next, continue on to Lower Lydbrook – where you’ll find a pub – then wind past Coppett Hill and the famed Symonds Yat Rock viewpoint.
Town tours
Make like artist JMW Turner and meander through medieval alleys lined with Tudor architecture while camping in Ross-on-Wye. Take note of the mock-Gothic walls and Gazebo Tower folly, then potter around The Prospect, a series of public gardens with views over an eye-catching bend in the river below. As you amble, you'll note old almshouses, the 17th-century Market House – which hosts the Made in Ross co-op of artisans – and timber-framed buildings transformed into antique and vintage shops.
Roams near Ross
Join the 219km Wye Valley Walk from the middle of town when camping near Ross-on-Wye, either choosing a smaller stroll or challenging yourself to the 28-kilometre journey to Hereford. You’ll wander through waterside meadows and orchards before stopping at the city’s sizable cathedral. Keep an eye out for wildlife enroute – otters, mink and deer, as well as swans and geese, are some of the creatures you might very well see.
Top things to do in Ross-on-Wye
The best things to do when camping near Ross-on-Wye are out in the scenic surrounds:
* Take a pleasure cruise down the river with pub stops enroute
* Discover why William Wordsworth called Goodrich Castle “the noblest ruin in Herefordshire”
* Spot swooping peregrine falcons from the Symonds Yat viewpoint
* Learn about the region’s historical wars during a tour of local battlefields
* Cycle the 50-kilometre path skirting the Wye, stopping to soak up views over the winding waterway below
Delve deeper into Ross-on-Wye
The Land of Hedgehogs
Scurry over to Ross-on-Wye from your campsite to find out why the spikiest of species is the town’s mascot. You’ll notice hedgehogs on logos and crests scattered practically everywhere, from St Mary’s Church to the Markye Chapel. This association is said to stem from the fact Celtic invaders named the region ‘ergyng’, or Land of the Hedgehogs, and the town celebrates its links with the prickly critter every year at a festival.
Wye Valley viewpoints
Many travellers choose to go camping in Ross-on-Wye near Symonds Yat for access to the best vista in the area. Stare out at the scenery from The Kymin above Monmouth too, as well as cliffside at Piercefield House. Tintern Abbey’s crumbling ruins, meanwhile, around a 40-minute drive south of our Ross-on-Wye campsites, are awe-inspiringly atmospheric and surrounded by stunning nature.
Nearby attractions
Use your campsite in Ross-on-Wye as a base for border-hopping between England and Wales. You can trek through the lush landscape of the Forest of Dean (25 minutes), the Brecon Beacons (50 minutes) and the Malvern Hills (an hour and a quarter) or set your sights on pretty market towns like Monmouth (30 minutes) and Chepstow (45 minutes), the latter of which has an impressive castle.
Here’s how
There are plenty of possibilities when camping near Ross-on-Wye. Pick a park with not much more than a toilet block and shower for a simple stint in the Wye Valley or stay connected by booking a pitch with electricity.
If it’s not a real camping trip without a fire to gather around, browse sites that let you build your own blaze. Or make sure the dog’s invited by opting for a park that welcomes four-legged furballs. We’ve also got family-friendly spots with amenities for the kids and adults-only options without a child in sight.
None of those for you? Browse these filters instead:
* Ross-on-Wye campsites with disabled facilities
* Caravan parks in Ross-on-Wye
For luxury stays with an outdoorsy twist, take a look at our log cabins with hot tubs in Ross-on-Wye. Shepherd’s huts and camping pods are cosy spaces for couples, while bell tents tend to have lots of room for families.
Not sure whether you want to go camping or glamping? Read our guides to all things pitching up to help you decide. You can discover everything from how to bag yourself a budget break to the six simple steps for putting up a tent.
