Ross-on-Wye recently topped the National Express Summer Survey to be named as the best-loved market town in the UK, beating Ledbury, who were placed seventh in the poll. Other market towns Ross beat to the top spot included Farnham in Surrey and Chippenham in Wiltshire.

National Express Managing Director Tom Stables said: “With its picturesque location and stunning Market House, it’s hardly surprising Ross-on-Wye is regarded as one of the best towns in the UK. It’s tough to think of anything more quintessentially British than a market town, and we think that’s worth celebrating”.

A quaint town set in the heart of Herefordshire, Ross-on-Wye certainly has a lot to offer, not only to its residents, but also to visitors and tourists alike.

Alongside its unique cafes, pubs and quirky shops, Ross-on-Wye’s has its own newspaper. This week the Ross Gazette asked people in the town centre what they feel makes Ross-on-Wye such a well loved market town.

Speaking to The Ross Gazette, Tony Clarke, who has lived in Ross for 17 years, said the strength of the community in Ross is what makes it a unique place to live. He said: “The community is just so strong in Ross, it’s the perfect place for young families like us to live”. Tony, who has been working and living abroad in Kenya for the past few years, added that returning to Ross always feels like coming home. He also said the survey’s result is well deserved: “The market gives such a nice feel to Ross, and the Market House is a such a stunning feature of our town”. Tony and his family are hoping to return to Ross after their African adventures. When asked where she would live if it could be anywhere in the world, Amber Clarke, Tony’s daughter, enthusiastically replied, “Ross!”.

Pauline Forsyth, who has also been living in the area for nearly 20 years, said that the friendliness of residents is what makes Ross such an lovely town to live in. “Ross has such a friendly atmosphere” said Pauline, “everywhere you go, people are more than happy to talk and chat.” Another highlight for Pauline is the town’s unique character and accessibility.

Rebecca Wilks, who works at the local Cancer Research charity shop, said she can see why the Herefordshire gem has been named best-loved Market Town: “Although I don’t live in Ross, I’ve been working in the area for two years now. I think it’s a really lovely town, and it has a real quirk to it”.

Margaret Wilce said on Jo Scrivin’s (Editor of the Ross Gazette) Facebook page that she loves the Caroline Symonds Gardens and the bandstand and a Ross Town Councillor, Valerie Coker, posted:?“I love the view - particularly from the top of the Tower opposite the Royal Hotel - on the rare occasion it is open to the public. The view is still great from the Royal Hotel garden terrace or the Prospect.”

Ross is not only a hit with its local residents, but its visitors. Muriel Harrison, who had travelled from Bristol to visit Ross-on-Wye with her husband, said she can already see why Ross has attracted such a title: “It’s my first ever visit to Ross, and I can already see its a very attractive town. We’re just about to visit the market, and then we are hoping to walk down by the river later”.

Jade Beard, Work Experience