If you’re planning to spend a long weekend at Ross-on-Wye, we highly recommend visiting one of the town’s market days. Ross-on-Wye Town Council is responsible for running the twice-weekly markets which are held every Thursday and Saturday from 9.00am to 3.00pm. This charming, historic market was established by King Stephen in the 12th Century. Today, the stalls can be found under and around the Market House, a monument and sightseeing attraction in the centre of Ross-on-Wye town. Read on for essential information about visiting Ross-on-Wye Market Days.
Thursdays
The market stalls on Thursdays offer a mix of fresh flowers, plush plants, nutritious fruit and veg, fresh fish and clothing. Stock up on snacks for your hotel room and bring home a souvenir succulent or perhaps a new outfit to remember your stay at Ross-on-Wye each time you wear it.
Saturdays
On Saturdays, the market stalls offer a mixture of local crafts and foods, with a variety of trinkets, treasures and produce on sale. Pick up some keepsakes to remember your time at Ross-on-Wye and take a leisurely Saturday stroll around the town centre.
The town is the centre of a region historically dubbed ‘Land of Hedgehogs’. Ross-on-Wye has an association with hedgehogs and you’ll see depictions of them around the town in logos and crests. It relates back to 1500 years ago when the Celts invaded Ross-on-Wye and called the area ‘Ergyng’ which means ‘Land of the Hedgehog’.
Once you’ve finished pottering around the stalls and spotting hedgehogs, you’ll probably feel thirsty or fancy a bite to eat. The Hope & Anchor is just a stone’s throw away alongside the river in Ross-on-Wye’s town centre.
Parking
There are three zones in Ross-on-Wye dedicated to car parking with over 700 spaces available. The most central car park is The Maltings which has 107 spaces and costs £.3.60 for three hours on Thursdays and Saturdays when the markets are open. There is also limited on-street parking.
Bus
Ross-on-Wye is served by regular buses from Gloucester, Hereford and Monmouth. There are also National Express Coaches travelling to London, the Midlands and South Wales.
Train
The nearest train station is Ledbury and trains run regularly throughout the week and weekend, taking about an hour to get to Birmingham.
Tips for haggling
Part of the fun when shopping at market stalls is haggling to try to get the best price. Here are some tips:
- Be polite and smile
- Offer half the price first and work your way up
- Look out for any product flaws and ask for a discount
- Buy more than one item and ask for a bulk discount
- Be prepared to walk away and return later in the day to renegotiate
Enjoy your time pottering around the market stalls at Ross-on-Wye. Buying souvenirs for loved ones and yourself will help keep memories of your stay alive for years to come. We hope you manage to haggle some bargains too. Bagging a bargain or two could mean you save money to spend elsewhere in Ross-on-Wye, perhaps on a meal at the Hope & Anchor?
