# Essential Ringwood Travel Guide: What to See & Do

**Discover Ringwood: A Historic Market Town on the Edge of the New Forest**

Ringwood is a lively market town in Hampshire, closely connected to the New Forest. Set beside the River Avon, it combines countryside access, local heritage, and the everyday character of an English town. For travelers wondering what to see in Ringwood, the town provides a convenient base for exploring the New Forest’s open heathland, woodland paths, cycling routes, and famous ponies.

## Explore Ringwood’s Market Heritage

Ringwood’s history is closely linked to its market. In 1226, a royal charter established a weekly market in the central Market Place. For centuries, the market was a place to trade produce, livestock, and New Forest ponies.

Although the cattle market closed in 1989, Ringwood’s market tradition continues through:

- The Wednesday street market
- Weekend farmers’ events
- Occasional specialist markets around The Furlong and Gateway Square

These markets remain an important part of the town’s community atmosphere.

## See the Horse Sculptures at The Furlong

Ringwood’s connection with horses is reflected in the bronze mare and foal sculptures at The Furlong Shopping Centre. Created by artist Priscilla Hann, the sculptures represent the rural character of the surrounding forest and its long association with ponies and equestrian life.

Nearby Gateway Square provides a more contemporary setting, with distinctive carved wooden seating inspired by designs from local residents.

## Enjoy Food, Shopping, and Town Life

A Ringwood travel guide would not be complete without its relaxed food, shopping, and community atmosphere. The town is less focused on grand monuments and more on the experience of visiting a traditional market town beside one of southern England’s most remarkable landscapes.

This combination of local heritage and easy access to nature makes Ringwood one of the best places to stay near the New Forest for travelers looking to enjoy both culture and the countryside.

## Walk Ringwood with Neywo

Neywo turns Ringwood into a self-guided audio tour. Stories arrive as you reach the place they belong to, and the route reshapes when you wander off it.

## More in England

- [Romsey](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/romsey.md)
- [Rye](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/rye.md)
- [Salisbury](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/salisbury.md)
- [Sandwich](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/sandwich.md)
- [Shaftesbury](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/shaftesbury.md)
- [Sheffield](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/sheffield.md)
- [Shenley](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/shenley.md)
- [Sherborne](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/sherborne.md)
- [Southampton](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/southampton.md)
- [Southwold](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/southwold.md)
- [Spalding](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/spalding.md)
- [St Albans](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/st-albans.md)

## Elsewhere in United Kingdom

- [St Ives](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/st-ives.md) — England
- [St Mary’s](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/st-marys.md) — England
- [Stamford](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/stamford.md) — England
- [Stratford-upon-Avon](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/stratford-upon-avon.md) — England
- [Swanage](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/swanage.md) — England
- [Tewkesbury](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/tewkesbury.md) — England
- [Thetford](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/thetford.md) — England
- [Totnes](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/totnes.md) — England
- [Twickenham](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/twickenham.md) — England
- [Wadebridge](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/wadebridge.md) — England
- [Wakefield](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/wakefield.md) — England
- [Wareham](https://neywo.com/destinations/united-kingdom/england/wareham.md) — England

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