Ringwood is a bustling market town set on the River Avon and steeped in history. It was founded in the 1220s and is one of the oldest and best-preserved medieval towns in Hampshire. A chocolate-box town centre filled with shops, cafes and pubs makes Ringwood a great base to explore New Forest National Park.
Things to do in Ringwood
Ringwood has been hosting a weekly market for centuries. It’s held on Wednesday and attracts vendors from across Hampshire. You can stock up on everything from fresh-baked bread, artisan cheese and preserves to jewellery, books and clothing.
The Avon Valley Path passes through Ringwood and follows the route of the famous waterway. Pack lunch and spend the day walking the Ringwood to Fordingbridge section to see a mix of picturesque countryside and heather-strewn heathland. Another option is the section from Ringwood to Sopley.
Trails wind through New Forest National Park and make it easy to discover one of the last remaining pockets of open forest, pasture and heathland in the United Kingdom. Wander through sun-dappled oak woodlands and stop for lunch in a quaint village. Thousands of New Forest ponies roam free in the park and are easy to spot.
Wrap up a day of sightseeing at the wildly popular Ringwood Brewery. Open since the 1970s, this local institution is famous for its traditional cask ales. Guided tours take you behind the scenes of the brewery and walk you through the grain-to-glass process.
Get ready for incredible animal encounters at Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre. The enormous Alaskan Bald Eagle is the star of the show. You’ll also see hawks, falcons, vultures and other birds of prey.
Getting around Ringwood
Ringwood is compact and easy to get around on foot. The town is in Hampshire, a 15-minute drive from Bournemouth and 30 minutes from Southampton. Trains run between Central London and Bournemouth in two hours and London Heathrow Airport is a two-hour drive away.