About the Area

The Olde House is situated in the village of Upton Bishop, 4 miles from Ross-on-Wye in the heart of rural Herefordshire and within the beautiful Wye Valley, yet only 2 miles from the M50 motorway. The surrounding area is rich in history with many Castles, Historic Churches and Manor Houses to visit, the Royal Forest of Dean with it's iron and coal mining pits, and the three cathedral cities of Hereford (15 miles), Gloucester (17 miles) and Worcester (30 miles) are all within easy reach. The famous Symonds Yat viewpoint (featured above) is only a short drive away and is very popular with visitors.

Worcester known as the 'Faithful City' due to it's support for Charles I in the Civil War, has an interesting civil war museum in the Commandery. Hereford is well known for it's chained library and the Mappa Mundi Exhibition. It also has a museum on Cider Making as H. P. Bulmer the world's largest cider makers still operate from the city. Gloucester has the National Waterways Museum situated at the old docks where there are many other places of interest to visit.

The cottage has 2 golf courses within 3 miles. The Ross Golf Club has been established for many years and the South Hereford Golf Club in the village is becoming a firm favourite with golfers. The Royal Forest of Dean, the Malvern Hills and the Black Mountains are all visible from the cottage and give easy access to walking in particular the Wye Valley Walk. The area is very popular with cyclists and there are bikes for hire at Llangarron and in the Forest of Dean. Hot air ballooning, canoeing and pony trekking can all be arranged locally. Ross also has a public swimming pool and tennis courts.

Ross-on-Wye supports a Morrisons supermarket which is open seven days a week. There is also a Somerfield supermarket and a variety of smaller shops to browse around, plus a small market held on Thursdays and Saturdays. Within the locality there are many pleasant eating establishments which cater for the complete range of gastronomic requirements. There is a local pub 'The Moody Cow' within easy walking distance of the cottage and a rather infrequent bus service from the village. A community Post Office and Shop in nearby Gorsley is open 6 days a week and is only about two miles from the cottage.

More information about Ross-on-Wye and the surrounding area is available on the Ross-on-Wye web site and the Wye Valley & Forest of Dean Tourism Association web site.