A short visitor's guide to Ringwood, Hampshire: things to do, places to eat and drink, and what's on through the year.
Ringwood is a market town in south-west Hampshire, on the River Avon at the western edge of the New Forest, roughly ten miles north-east of Bournemouth and twenty miles south-west of Southampton. It was founded by the Anglo-Saxons and has held a weekly market since the Middle Ages. The town is within easy reach of the New Forest National Park, with the forest and heathland extending east and south-east.
Visitors come for the New Forest on its doorstep, the River Avon for fishing, and a compact town centre with an independent food and drink scene. The weekly Monday market on the Furlong is still running, and Burley village, six and a half miles away, is a short drive into the heart of the forest.
Liberty's Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre on Crow Lane is the standout attraction near Ringwood, with over 1,400 reviews and a 4.7 rating. Named after a resident bald eagle called Liberty, the centre runs raptor flying displays and houses owls, hawks, falcons, tarantulas and boa constrictors. It makes a strong half-day out for families and wildlife enthusiasts.
Ringwood's green spaces are modest but varied, with the River Avon and the New Forest fringe close by for longer walks.
In town, the War Memorial Gardens on Christchurch Road is a well-kept quiet space, and Carvers Recreation Ground on Southampton Road is the main public park for sports and open-air use. Raymond Brown Nature Reserve is a local wildlife site on the northern edge of the town. Dr. Little's Garden and the Danny Cracknel Pocket Park round out the more compact spaces available for a walk or a rest.
Ringwood has a good range of galleries for a market town its size, particularly on the High Street, plus a leisure centre and library.
Clarendon Fine Art Ringwood at The Furlong is a commercial gallery showing original works, limited editions and sculpture from contemporary and 20th-century masters including Picasso, Hockney and Warhol. On the High Street, Westover Gallery Ringwood and Old Fine Art Gallery (at number 18-20) are independent dealers specialising in paintings and antiques. Bettles Gallery on Christchurch Road adds to the gallery cluster. For fitness, Ringwood Health and Leisure on Parsonage Barn Lane is a family-friendly leisure centre with swimming, gym and fitness classes on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Ringwood has a strong pub scene for a market town, with the most atmospheric options making use of the river, the countryside and the historic buildings.
The Fish Inn on West Street is the most popular, a country pub with over 1,500 reviews, riverside location, log fireplaces and a long list of local food suppliers. The Railway Pub and Kitchen on Hightown Road is a close rival for best overall rating, serving locally sourced burgers, craft beer and gin with outdoor tables. The Cellar Wine & Cheese Bar on Christchurch Road is the specialist drinks option, a family-run wine and cheese bar with an exceptional rating. The Pour House on West Street occupies a Grade II listed building with two floors, live music and a function room. For something more relaxed and craft-focused, Coop Ringwood on Star Lane is a vibrant craft bar serving beers, cocktails and pizza.
Ringwood's restaurant scene runs from Italian and Indian to all-day dining and fish and chips, with most options within a few minutes' walk of the market place.
Lovitaly on Market Place is an independent family-run Italian restaurant and deli, sourcing ingredients locally and directly from Italy, with a high rating and strong word of mouth. Framptons New Forest on the High Street is the most versatile option, an all-day restaurant with seasonal locally sourced food, cocktails and world lagers in a converted high-street store. India Cottage on Christchurch Road is the best-rated Indian, with exposed brickwork and a focused regional menu. For Italian in a more relaxed setting, CENA ITALIAN on West Street or Prezzo on Market Place are both well reviewed. Price's Fish & Chips on Christchurch Road covers the takeaway end with loaded chicken dishes alongside the classic fish and chips.
Ringwood's cafe offer is notably strong for a town its size, with several high-quality independents alongside the chain options.
BakeHouse24 on Lynes Lane is the top-rated bakery in town with nearly 270 reviews and a 4.7 rating. The New Forest Pantry on the High Street is an independent cafe using fresh, locally sourced ingredients with espresso coffee and homemade cakes. The Courtyard in White Lion Courtyard on Deweys Lane is a hidden gem with an exceptional rating. Theodores Cafe on the High Street combines specialty coffee with freshly made sandwiches and locally sourced ingredients. For a full breakfast, Cafe Aroma on Southampton Road is a family-run operation serving all day.
Ringwood is primarily reached by car, with good road connections and regular coach services covering the surrounding region.
By road, the A31 is the main route through Ringwood, running west to Dorchester and east to Southampton via the New Forest, with a bypass completed in two stages (west in the 1940s, east in 1975). The A338 provides connections north to Salisbury and south to Bournemouth.
Ringwood no longer has a railway station: the former station on the Southampton and Dorchester Railway closed in 1964. The nearest current station is Bournemouth or Southampton, both accessible by road. There has been discussion of reinstating a rail link from Brockenhurst to Ringwood, but no reopening date has been set.
By bus, several stands are located on Meeting House Lane next to The Furlong Car Park. National Express Coaches run frequent services to London Victoria, Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport. Morebus route X3 between Salisbury and Bournemouth calls at Ringwood twice an hour, and less frequent services connect to Brockenhurst and Poulner.