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Town in Hampshire, England
Photo: tristan forward, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ringwood is a market town on the western edge of the New Forest in Hampshire, right on the border with Dorset. If driving to Bournemouth or the Jurassic Coast from Southampton or London, chances are you'll pass Ringwood on the A31. In truth, the road thunders past a little too close for auditory comfort, but that does make it easy for you to turn off and discover what the place has to offer. If it's not market day, there probably won't be much going on in town, but the near countryside offers plenty of wholesome outdoor activities: angling in the Avon, horse-riding on the heath, and falconry in the forest. Non-alliterative fun is also available; read on.
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There has been a church on-site for at least 1000 years, though the current building only dates from the 1850s. Look out for the 15th-century monumental brass, a matchstick model of the church made by air raid wardens while on fire watch in the 1940s, and a contemporary triptych depicting the two patron saints and a cross.
Grade II*-listed Presbyterian meeting house dating from 1727, now houses the municipal archives. A selection of artefacts is on permanent display, and the house hosts numerous events throughout the year, including concerts and art exhibitions.
Large collection of owls, hawks, falcons, eagles, and vultures, some of which take part in flying displays every day. There is also a small reptile house on site, which puts on occasional shows in the summer. Site can be difficult for wheelchairs. No dogs.
Worth a look if you're passing is this unusual thatched chapel with whitewashed mud walls and a gracefully crumbling churchyard. If the modern chapel next door is open, it may be possible to look inside.
Hampshire Wildlife Trust
A group of disused gravel pits that have filled with water over time and now form a cluster of lakes over 160 ha. The reserve is a magnet for great flocks of migratory birds in winter (terns, lapwings, oystercatchers...), while in spring and summer dragonflies and wildflowers put on a display. Other resident birds include redpoll, brambling, kingfisher and bittern. 8 km of level paths are suitable for wheelchairs; the hides are also accessible. No dogs except guide dogs.
National Trust
Walking and bike trails among a landscape of woodland pasture and open heathland. You'll almost certainly see some New Forest ponies, and if you're lucky you might glimpse fallow or red deer, or perhaps hear the song of a Dartford warbler. Just by the car park is a large sand dune for kids to roll down. Dogs must be kept on-lead.
Dorset County Council
Explore several miles of walking and cycling trails through open heathland. The park is part of a breeding programme for sand lizards, nationally-scarce reptiles which favour the heaths of southern England. Facilities include a visitors' centre, dog wash, café, picnic area and an imaginative nature-themed play area. Dogs must be kept on-lead March to July.
Dorset County Council / Forestry England
Extremely popular forest park with miles of walking, running, cycling, horseriding and callisthenic trails. Free audio and mindfulness trails to download. Kids will love the treetop walk and Gruffalo sculpture trail. There are numerous on-site activities and attractions, listed below. On-site ranger station, café-restaurant, dog wash and picnic spots. No barbecues or camping.
Proof of ID required.
Dace, perch, roach, rudd, and tench are all regularly caught at decent sizes. No barbed hooks, floating baits, live baiting or spinning.
18-hole, 6337-yard course along the Moors River valley, with four par 5s, ten par 4s and four par 3s.
High ropes, swings, zip wires, and bouncy nets in the trees. There are four courses suitable for different ages, all 1-2 hr in length. If you can't stomach heights, you might prefer a Segway ride through the forest (1 hr).
Walk with a Harris's hawk! Your guide, a professional falconer, will instruct you on how to handle the bird, which will then fly freely as you walk through the woods and take turns in calling it to your outstretched gloved hand. Walks are aimed at couples and small groups.
Email via online contact form.
Christchurch Angling Club
Just west of town, where the river Avon briefly splits into two courses. There are fast-flowing and calmer sections, as well as pools, holes and side streams.
Email via online contact form. Stables that cater to riders of all abilities from ages 6 and up. Take part in a hack - a group ride out into the New Forest or, if a complete novice you may prefer a walk-out, where your horse's reins are held by an instructor on foot.
Cyclists' café for locally-sourced brunch and lunch. Veggie and vegan options. Bike storage and water bottle filling available
Indian curries, as the name suggests. Prices are typically £8.95 (chicken) to £13.95 (king prawn). Also offers takeaways.
Popular traditional chippy. For something a bit different, try their homemade sweet chilli fishcakes.
Café-deli specialising in local cheese and charcuterie, served in salads, paninis and on sharing platters.
Classic dishes made with locally-sourced meat and fish, housed in a 16th century cottage. Mains cost £15-£20. Also offer a separate Sunday Lunch menu with different roast options.
Tap room and beer shop for Ringwood beers; buy 'em by the pint, jug, flaggon, piggon, or even firkin (that's 72 pints!) The brewery no longer offers tours.
18th-century free house with good range of beers and cocktails.
17th-century coaching inn. Although it's a Marstons pub, it also serves Ringwood ales. Sports on the telly and pool table. Wheelchair accessible. Dogs welcome.
Thatched cottage with cosy interior and large beer garden. Live sports on TVs. Basic cheap pub food available, which gets mixed reviews.
Email via online contact form. In the residential neighbourhood of Poulner is this characterful low-ceilinged pub with pool table, darts and dominoes. Lounge chairs and picnic blankets in the garden in summer.
Two en-suite twin rooms with blackout curtains. Free Wi-Fi and luggage store. Off-street parking.
Around a 15 min walk from the high street. Several accessible rooms. Free parking and Wi-Fi. On-site restaurant for breakfast and dinner.
A Georgian hunting lodge converted into a boutique B&B with ensuite rooms for couples - each room has one double or super king-size bed. Good breakfasts, including vegetarian and vegan.
Stay in a red Romany caravan or corrugated shepherd's hut in a quiet setting on the edge of town. The caravan and hut each sleep two adults and two kids, and come equipped with bedding and basic toiletries, a minifridge and kettle. Bring your own camp cooker or barbecue, or make use of the firepit. No dogs.
Atmospheric 17th century inn.
If you ever wondered where the forest's green welly brigade shopped, wonder no more. This mid-sized al fresco shopping centre has a decidedly middle-class offering of chain stores and cafés. One independent of note is The Forge Cycleworks (+44 1425 482797, M-Sa 9AM-6PM), selling a vast range of bikes, parts and accessories.
An Aladdin's cave of fishing tackle and bait, staffed by friendly men with decades of knowledge of the local rivers and lakes.
Small regional chain of greengrocers stocking local produce including New Forest mushrooms and Dorset chillies. Also sells nuts and free-range eggs.
Established in 1226, the weekly market sells food, clothes and crafts.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight food and drink from a variety of producers.
By bus
Three National Express bus routes run through Ringwood: from London or Heathrow Airport (approx. 2½ hours) and from Birmingham (approx. 5 hours).
On foot
By bus
There is a circular bus route around the town, the Ringo. It goes to Poulner (the section of Ringwood north of the A31) and to the Lidl/Premier Inn, with the main stop being Meeting House Lane.
By car
Ringwood only has a couple of main roads and no confusing one-way systems, so it is easy to drive around.
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