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3-star hotel Check-in 15:00 · Check-out 11:00

The King's Head Hotel

Rustic 14th-century pub with rooms, bar, restaurant & event venue in Ross-on-Wye. Rated 4.6 with 507 reviews, close to Goodrich Castle and Puzzlewood.

8 High St, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5HL, United Kingdom View on map
9.2/10
Exceptional Based on 520 recent guest reviews
What recent guests emphasize

Comfortable historic pub with lively atmosphere

Guests appreciate the hotel's charming character, friendly staff, and quality food, while noting some practical challenges related to parking and the building's historic layout.

Guests often praise

  • Friendly and helpful staff, especially in the bar and restaurant areas.
  • High-quality breakfast and well-regarded pub meals with good local ingredients.
  • Lively and atmospheric bar offering a good selection of beers.
  • Comfortable beds and cozy, characterful rooms reflecting the building’s age.
  • Cleanliness and tidiness throughout the hotel.

Worth knowing

  • Parking is limited with a narrow entrance; spaces may not always be available on site.
  • Some rooms have uneven floors and steep, winding stairs due to the historic structure.
  • Minor technical issues noted, such as intermittent problems with TVs in rooms.
  • The hotel’s traditional features may not suit guests requiring modern accessibility options.
  • Popular dining spots can be busy, especially in the bar area during peak times.

Best for

  • Visitors seeking a quaint and historic stay in Ross-on-Wye town centre.
  • Guests who enjoy lively pub atmospheres paired with quality food and drink.
  • LGBTQ+ friendly travelers looking for a welcoming environment.
  • Those interested in local heritage, close to Wilton Castle and nearby attractions.
  • Guests comfortable navigating older buildings with characterful quirks.
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About this property

Welcome to The King's Head Hotel

Located in the heart of Ross-on-Wye at 8 High Street, The King's Head Hotel occupies a rustic 14th-century building blending historic charm with practical modernity. The property functions as a hotel, bar, restaurant, and event venue, showcasing an old-world bar and a library that contribute to its distinctive atmosphere. Rooms are described as unassuming but comfortable, with some guests noting quirks related to the building's age, such as uneven floors and steep staircases.

The establishment has earned a solid 4.6 rating from over 500 reviews, with praise focused on its lively bar, good food quality, and friendly staff. The breakfast receives consistently positive remarks, emphasizing fresh ingredients and attentive service. Some visitors mention limited parking options and the compact nature of rooms, reflecting the character of this historic property. Its LGBTQ+ friendly environment adds to the welcoming vibe for a broad range of guests.

The King's Head is well-suited for visitors seeking proximity to local attractions, situated a mile from Wilton Castle and near quaint town centre shops. Nearby points of interest include Goodrich Castle, Puzzlewood, and Hereford Cathedral, all offering engaging historical and natural experiences. The hotel’s central location also provides relatively convenient access to regional airports including Birmingham, Bristol, and Cardiff.

Those planning to explore Ross-on-Wye will find the hotel a practical base, offering essential amenities within a traditional setting. Its mix of dining and event facilities, along with a welcoming atmosphere, appeals to travellers who appreciate history combined with straightforward comfort. Nearby accommodation options range from boutique guest houses to larger hotels, providing alternatives depending on guest preferences.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

JF
Jeanne Fairbrother Mar 22, 2026
10

An excellent stay, lovely room, excellent and friendly staff. The breakfast is wonderful. Great quality ingredients. The bar is busy, bustling and lively. Great atmosphere. We ate in the restaurant and that was excellent too. Cosy, great food and service. A great way to spend a birthday!

GK
Gary Kirby Mar 21, 2026
8.0

Can't fault the location. Right in the heart of Ross-on-Wye. Those who are parking there pay particular attention to the very narrow entrance and the fact that spaces are not necessarily available although we were ok. There's a lot of history and this means that some stairs are windy and steep. The rooms are fine. Our bed was very comfortable, we just sank into it. We had a minor problem with the TV but be aware that not all domestic channels might be available.

TFH
The Fashion House Magherafelt Mar 01, 2026
10

Lovely hotel with a lot of character and charm. The bar area is great with a good selection of beers. All of the staff were friendly and helpful. The breakfast was fantastic. If we’re in the area again we will definitely stay in the Kings Head

BH
Brenda Harrington Feb 19, 2026
10

Have not stayed here but we ate here twice during our stay in Ross on Wye. This is a very lovely pub with atmospheric spaces and great staff. They have a simple but delicious selection of meals at very reasonable prices. Can highly recommend the Gnocchi and the Hake, also the salmon starter and the scotch egg. Other members of our party had a delicious 'Pie of the Day' and also fish & chips. Definitely worth a visit!

AP
Adicus Pugh Feb 12, 2026
10

Given its age this is a very pleasant, clean and tidy hotel. Good food especially the breakfast. Very friendly and helpful staff. Wirth a staym

CH
Chris Hambly Jan 29, 2026
8.0

A pretty decent in town Hotel, Restaurant and Bar. Tasty food, good selection of drinks and quite a lively feel to the place. Parking isn't easy, especially if you have a large van like we did. .....had to park a few streets away.

MK
Martin King Jan 26, 2026
10

Great food, pie with their own ale, amazing. Great helpful staff. Not stayed as local, but image great too

KC
Kez Corner Jan 10, 2026
10

Lovely place it's very quirky with its uneven rooms. Staff are very friendly especially the bar staff he went out of his way to find another bottle of what I drink. Highly recommend

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find The King's Head Hotel

Ross-on-Wye, United Kingdom

Alongside quaint shops in the town centre, this traditional 14th-century pub with rooms is a mile from Wilton Castle and 7 miles from Symonds Yat Rock.

  • St Frances Church 5 min Walk
  • Edde Cross Street 2 min Walk
  • Cantilupe Road (Stand 2) 5 min Walk
  • Birmingham Airport 1 hr 15 Car · 2 hr 40 Transit
  • Bristol Airport 1 hr 22 Car · 2 hr 58 Transit
  • Cardiff Airport 1 hr 19 Car · 3 hr 19 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in United Kingdom. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Hereford Cathedral 3,500 reviews

Hereford Cathedral

5 College Cloisters, Cathedral Close, Hereford HR1 2NG, United Kingdom

4.7 · Cathedral
Puzzlewood 4,429 reviews

Puzzlewood

Perrygrove Rd, Coleford GL16 8QB, United Kingdom

4.6 · Nature Preserve
Goodrich Castle 2,661 reviews

Goodrich Castle

Castle Ln, Ross-on-Wye HR9 6HY, United Kingdom

4.7 · Castle
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