Local Places - Part 3

[smallhobbit]

Not quite as local as the last two posts, but only about 40 to 45 minutes drive away, still relatively local, is Ross-on-Wye.  We went for an afternoon a couple of weeks ago.

Although the town has been in existence for many centuries - the first written record of it is in 1016, and it is recorded in the Doomsday Book in 1086 as being a village and manor with a priest and mill - it first became noticed around 1770 with the early tourist trade, where visitors would explore the Wye Valley.  These visitors included both Turner and Wordsworth.



There was a market in the town from at least 1138, when King Stephen granted a formal licence.  One of the oldest remaining buildings is the sandstone Market House, built between 1650 and 1654.



By the side there are a few remaining Tudor half-timbered houses.



On the way up to the church there are the almshouses, originally founded in the fourteenth century, the brown stone building dates from 1575.



On the top of the hill (the streets in Ross are quite steep) is St Mary's Church.  The church was founded by the Bishop of Hereford in the thirteenth century and the building was dedicated in 1316.

 

There is a graveyard next to the church, with a stone gateway leading into it.



For centuries, Ross-on-Wye was simply known as Ross, but about 100 years ago the river was added to the town name make it clear which Ross was meant.


 

Comments

[annofowlshire]

Hey, that’s my town! (Or at least my nearest nice town.) Drive about 10 more minutes down the river and you’d be at my house XD

Great photos. I usually only see the outer parts where places like the garden centre and discount DIY shops are.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Glad you like the photos. I wasn't greatly impressed with the town itself. We found a nice Italian restaurant for lunch, which was great, but the shops are mainly boutique and full of expensive crafts or charity shops.

[annofowlshire]

I was going to comment that your photos showed the best parts of it but held my tongue XD Unnecessary, it seems…

Do you remember the name of the Italian restaurant? We’re still trying to find some good noms in the area.

[smallhobbit]

Yes - I left out the pictures of the knitted scenes on top of the postbox etc.

The restaurant is Avellino. It's on the High Street.

[nagi_schwarz]

I love your pictures of local places. They make me miss England so much.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much - that wasn't quite my intention, but I'm pleased you like them.

[luthienberen]

Wonderful snapshots of history alongside the present! On a sunny day too! Glad you had a nice day out.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you :) We went a couple of weeks ago on a good day!

[rusty_armour]

I love your photos! Ross-on-Wye has some beautiful buildings. I also enjoyed the history that you provided. It's great to be able to get a feel for some of these places through your posts. :-)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. I'm so pleased you're enjoying these posts.

[corvidology]

One of my parents' favourite places to visit ever since I was a kid. I love it too! :D

[smallhobbit]

Yes, it was lovely to visit - strangely it's the first time I've been.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Lovely photos! I am glad you had a good time. I like those church ones, especially.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. We didn't go inside the church, but it is a very traditional church building for the time and area.

[margaret_r]

We visited the town when we were in UK last, it's so pretty and your photos are gorgeous.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, it is pretty. Thank you, I'm delighted you like them.

[adafrog]

Pretty.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you.

[debriswoman]

Very nice...I particularly like the market house:-)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. They had a craft fair on the first floor, so we took a look. It's an interesting building.

[cuddyclothes]

Lovely photos! I miss England!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much!

[therealsnape]

What a lovely place! Thank you for sharing the pictures. A little virtual trip to Britain, lovely!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. I'm pleased you enjoyed it :)

[moth2fic]

I've been there a few times but always fleetingly on the way somewhere else! I remember the market hall and the river. Lovely photos!

[smallhobbit]

I think Ross is one of those places to visit en route elsewhere. I'm glad you liked the photos!

[kat_lair]

I like a good graveyard, the gateway here is excellent.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, I was very taken with it.