HISTORY OF RINGWOOD

Image courtesy of Ringwood Online

The bustling town of Ringwood (the market town of the New Forest) is a town of contrasts. It has survived for 900 years by continually adapting but it has retained much of its ancient, rustic charm and combined it with a surprisingly active nightlife.

Ringwood is set on the gently meandering Avon River, and was once devoted to agriculture, and brewing. It still serves the local farming community, and the Ringwood Brewery is famous for it's Old Thumper beer. Now the main commercial attraction of Ringwood is its speciality shops, and excellent restaurants and pubs.
The weekly cattle market was replaced ten years ago by the Furlong Shopping Centre. A feature of this is the life sizes bronze mare and foal created by sculptor Priscilla Hann, a reminder of Ringwood's links with the Forest. Around the statue is a leafy pedestrianised courtyard where children and adults are entertained with live bands, Punch & Judy and puppet shows throughout the summer months. In the Furlong Centre there are two outstanding examples of how Ringwood has adapted to the present. In a 300 year old building which used to be part of the 18th century style brewery, there is now the Furlong Pine Shop, one of the largest of its kind in the South. Adjacent to this building is Frampton's Mill, built in 1893 as agricultural feed merchants and now a delightful open-air cafe.
In the High Street there are many speciality shops: there is the traditional gunsmith in the Market Place, a saddler in Southampton Road and two fishing tackle shops in West Street. There are several fascinating antique shops, in particular Lorraine Tarrant Antiques in the Market Place and Netherbrook Antiques in Christchurch Road plus shops selling collector dolls houses, antique toys, elaborate wax candles and Belgian chocolates.
On Wednesday in the Market Place there is a street market whose Charter as granted by Henry III to the Lord of the Manor, John Morant, in 1226. The Morant family still own rights to the weekly market. In the Market Place is the Original White Hart Inn which was the choice of Henry VII and his courtiers for refreshment whilst our deer hunting in the New Forest. Next to the White Hart is an imposing building which was previously the Regal Cinema and before that in 1868 the Town Hall and Corn Exchange, which formed the heart of the cattle market. Now  it houses the night club Route 42, an Italian restaurant and some shops. Presiding over the Market Place is the parish church of St Peter and St Paul which was built in 1853 on a site on which there has been a church since Saxon times.
In front of the church stands the Jubilee Lamp, which was erected in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Jubilee.
The Duke of Monmouth, the illegitimate son of Charles II, was held in Monmouth House in West Street for several days following his unsuccessful rebellion of 1685. He was then sent to London for execution.
In the High Street, Ringwood still has a proper butchers and fishmongers owned by the Pattersons which has been in the family for generations.
Ringwood is an ideal country retreat, perfect for shopping, walking, riding and fishing. It is a comfortable base from which to explore the immediate neighbourhood or travel much further afield. It is said that the enjoy the country you need "the mind of a philosopher to understand the history, an artist's eye to discover the beauties and the soul of a poet to express your feelings." Enjoy Ringwood!

Wayne Robbins