A collection of 78 colour photographs with captions depicting the small and ancient, historic market town of Ross-on-Wye in South Herefordshire, England - easily reached from London and Birmingham by the M4, M5 and M50 motorways. Population: 9574 - 2011 Census]Located on a sandstone ridge, the Town overlooks the picturesque River Wye and The Royal Forest of Dean is nearby. The Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin dates from the 13th Century and the 17th Century Market House hosts twice weekly markets in the Market Square. Some of the many other attractions are the adventurous River Wye canoe expeditions, street sculptures, timber framed houses, Memorial Gardens, Museums, Phoenix Theatre, Leisure Centre, Independent shops, quality restaurants and public houses, riverside walks, annual International Music Festival and the more local River Festival held alongside the banks of the River Wye.From 1782 to about 1850 Ross-on-Wye was the departure point for "The Wye Tour," a two day river excursion to Chepstow which laid claim to it been described as the birthplace of the Package Holiday revolution and of the British Tourist Industry as it offered affordable picturesque excursions to the working classes as well as to those British travellers who could no longer enjoy "The Grand Tour" of continental Europe due to the Napoleonic wars. Ross-on-Wye is also notable for the benefactors who helped the town prosper. For example, the Rudhall family in 1575 were responsible for the repair of the almshouses near to St. Mary's Church. John Kyrle, the 17th Century Philanthropist established The Prospect Garden overlooking the River Wye and surrounding countryside, worked charitably to better people's lives and whose name is commemorated by the local John Kyrle High School and 6th Form centre as well as The Man of Ross Inn. Ross-on-Wye has also been associated seriously ] with hedgehogs for many years and the lovable little creature can be seen around the town in various crests and logos especially in St. Mary's Church which has at least fourteen representations. The Town's long association of 1500 years with hedgehogs may have been due to the invading Celts who called the area "Ergyng" the "Land of the Hedgehog."