Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY</h2>



<p>Alongside the River Avon, close to&nbsp;Bournemouth&nbsp;and Southampton, the historic New Forest town of Ringwood was founded by the&nbsp;Anglo-Saxons. Still going strong every Wednesday, the weekly market dates right back to the&nbsp;Middle Ages. There was also a longstanding cattle market here until 1989 in the Furlong, when it was converted to a rather lovely shopping centre. Ringwood has a buzzy vibe with everything from quaint and modern shops to restaurants, pubs and cafés – and it&#8217;s surrounded by beautiful forest and countryside. Add to all of that the fact that Bournemouth Airport is a mere 10 mins drive and you&#8217;ve got yourself a pretty appealing locale.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/FUR_BTP_Building-min.jpg" alt="Boston Tea Party Frampton Mill Building the Furlong Ringwood" class="wp-image-34672" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/FUR_BTP_Building-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/FUR_BTP_Building-min-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/FUR_BTP_Building-min-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Boston Tea Party</figcaption></figure>



<p>For casual dining it’s got to be <a href="//www.framptonsnewforest.com/">Framptons café bar</a> on the High Street, a favourite for weekend avo toasts and coffee, bottomless brunches and cocktails and live music. <a href="https://bakehouse24.com/">Bakehouse 24</a> is famed for its sourdough but also&nbsp;has a whole host of bread, cakes and pastries on offer. The open-plan design means you can sit and sip a great coffee from Bad Hand Joe roasters while watching the team of bakers in action. If you like to cycle, you’ll find plenty of likeminded souls at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cafevelo.co.uk/">Café Velo</a>.</p>



<p>Also in town, <a href="https://www.lovitaly.co.uk/">Lovitaly</a> is an Italian deli and restaurant with a whopping choice of freshly baked pizza and Italian wine. Or nibble on platters of cheese and charcuterie with top drops at <a href="https://www.thecellarringwood.com/">The Cellar Wine &amp; Cheese Bar</a>.</p>



<p>West Country chain <a href="https://bostonteaparty.co.uk/our_cafes/ringwood.php">Boston Tea Party</a> has a branch of its tasty all-day brunch cafes in the historic former Frampton’s Mill, (above), right in the middle of Ringwood&#8217;s Furlong Shopping Centre. Elsewhere, <a href="https://www.hockeys-farm.co.uk/">Hockeys Farm shop and café</a> in nearby Fordingbridge is a great place to eat and stock up on top New Forest and other local produce.</p>



<p>Pubs-wise, there are plenty of picture-perfect country inns for a great meal and pint in Ringwood. The pretty thatched-roofed <a href="https://butcombe.com/the-fish-inn-hampshire/">Fish Inn</a> has a large beer garden beside the river. The <a href="https://www.thealicelisle.co.uk/">Alice Lisle</a> beside Rockford Lake has a great selection of Sunday roasts, cooked using meat from the famed Owton’s butchers. <a href="https://thestarringwood.co.uk/">The Star Inn</a> is another small yet pretty quintessential old-English pub – but for its menu of (very tasty) Thai food.</p>



<p>For a fancy afternoon tea or fine-dining meal, the splendid <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/rhinefield-house-hotel-brockenhurst/">Rhinefield House Hotel</a> really takes some beating, around 25 mins drive from Ringwood in Brockenhurst.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="991" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/The-Furlong-Centre-White-Company-min.jpg" alt="The Furlong Centre Ringwood Hampshire White Company" class="wp-image-34670" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/The-Furlong-Centre-White-Company-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/The-Furlong-Centre-White-Company-min-800x529.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/The-Furlong-Centre-White-Company-min-1000x661.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/The-Furlong-Centre-White-Company-min-768x507.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-furlong-ringwood/">The Furlong</a> has a mix of big brands and independent boutiques, all spread around a pretty courtyard. Among them are Sweaty Betty, The White Company, Phase Eight, Caffe Nero, Whistles, Hobbs, Love to b Skincare and the brilliant independent <a href="https://www.perfumeryandcompany.com/">Perfumery &amp; Co</a>. On the High Street, <a href="https://sassys.co.uk/">Sassy&#8217;s</a> has gifts and accessories. And for a really special occasion, there&#8217;s some beautiful buys in <a href="https://www.robertsjewellersringwood.com/">Robert’s Jewellers</a>. For boutique fashion and homewares, head to <a href="https://luxurybubble.co.uk/">Luxury Bubble</a> in nearby Fordingbridge.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>From the New Forest to local lakes, country parks and nature reserves, Ringwood is absolutely blessed with places to walk and exercise – there’s even a dedicated <a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/moors-valley-country-park-and-forest/wellbeing-trail-moors-valley">wellbeing trail at Moors Valley</a>. The town also has some great gyms like <a href="https://www.davidlloyd.co.uk/clubs/ringwood/">David Lloyd</a>, <a href="https://www.anytimefitness.co.uk/gyms/uk-0406/ringwood-south-west-bh24-3fh/">Anytime Fitness</a> and <a href="https://ringwoodverwoodboxing.com/">Ringwood and Verwood Boxing</a>. Healthcare-wise, Ringwood has several medical centres and plenty of dental practices.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RingwoodCarnival" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Ringwood-Carnival.jpg" alt="Ringwood Carnival New Forest Hampshire" class="wp-image-35274" style="aspect-ratio:1.503006012024048;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Ringwood-Carnival.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Ringwood-Carnival-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Ringwood-Carnival-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Ringwood-Carnival-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RingwoodCarnival">@RingwoodCarnival</a></figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://ringwoodcarnival.org/">Ringwood Carnival</a> is the biggest event of the season, where the entire community really gets into the party spirit in two cool and quirky parades.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="988" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/Go-Ape-Moors-Valley-Country-Park.jpg" alt="Go Ape Moors Valley Country Park" class="wp-image-34671" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/Go-Ape-Moors-Valley-Country-Park.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/Go-Ape-Moors-Valley-Country-Park-800x527.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/Go-Ape-Moors-Valley-Country-Park-1000x659.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/Go-Ape-Moors-Valley-Country-Park-768x506.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic: <a href="https://goape.co.uk/locations/moors-valley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Go Ape</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Right beside Ringwood, <a href="https://moors-valley.co.uk/">Moors Valley Country Park</a> has a miniature railway, woodland playground, mini golf course and <a href="https://goape.co.uk/locations/moors-valley">Go Ape</a> high ropes. Also nearby are <a href="https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/country-parks-and-visitor-centres/avon-heath-country-park/avon-heath-country-park">Avon Heath Country Park</a> and 50-acre <a href="https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/">New Forest Water Park</a> in Fordingbridge with obstacle courses, kayaking and SUP.</p>



<p>Watch the birdie! The 370-acre <a href="https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/blashford-lakes-nature-reserve">Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve</a> is another beautiful countryside gem and home to all kinds of birdlife like kingfishers, lapwings and oystercatchers. Something of a hidden gem, <a href="https://www.libertyscentre.co.uk/">Liberty’s Owl &amp; Reptile Centre</a> has soaring birds of prey shows, a tearoom and play area. The nearest National Trust heritage house is the magnificent <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/kingston-lacy">Kingston Lacey</a>. If you like a beer, the <a href="https://www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk/">Ringwood Brewery</a> has a great shop and is open for tours.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>Catch a show, top tribute act and some surprisingly big names in conversation at <a href="https://www.thebarnringwood.co.uk/">The Barn</a>, a new multipurpose venue in the grounds of Ringwood School.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Properties in Ringwood has an overall average price of £531,583. The majority were detached properties, selling for £679,567. Semi-detached homes sold for £426,381, with terraced houses fetching £324,631.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="981" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Ringwood-House.jpg" alt="House for sale in Ringwood Hampshire New Forest best places to live move to" class="wp-image-35275" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Ringwood-House.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Ringwood-House-800x523.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Ringwood-House-1000x654.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Ringwood-House-768x502.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This 4 bed detached house with conservatory is <a href="https://hearnes.com/property-details/ringwood_branch/5419626" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on the market for £795,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://ellinghamhouse.co.uk/">Ellingham House Day Nursery</a> is located in a Georgian country house, surrounded by 2.5 acres of lawns, paddocks, woodland and children’s gardens. Parents also love <a href="https://greyfriarsringwood.org.uk/hire-facilities/greyfriars-pre-school/">Greyfriars Pre-school</a> close to the library in the centre of town, both rated as Good by Ofsted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Plenty of choice all round. The main primary schools are <a href="https://www.ringwood-inf.hants.sch.uk/">Ringwood Church of England Infant School, <u>Ringwood Junior School</u></a> and <a href="https://www.poulnerinfantschool.com/">Poulner Infant School</a> just outside of Ringwood, all rated Good by Ofsted. For seniors, <a href="https://www.ringwood.hants.sch.uk/">Ringwood School</a>, is also rated as Good and has a Sixth Form. Independents-wise, <a href="https://moylescourt.co.uk/">Moyles Court School</a> in Ringwood itself and <a href="https://www.fsmschool.com/">Forres Sandle Manor</a>, a short drive away in Fordingbridge, both take children from nursery through to seniors.</p>



<p>If they choose to stay local for further education, <a href="https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/">Bournemouth University</a> covers a whole range of courses and there’s also&nbsp;<a href="https://aub.ac.uk/">Arts University Bournemouth</a>&nbsp;(AUB), specialising in acting, illustration and photography.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>The brilliantly quirky <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BritishPedalcarGrandPrix/">British Pedal Car Grand Prix</a> has been held here since 1987 with entrants from across the country and thousands of spectators to the closed-off streets of Ringwood.&nbsp;In 2024 the race was sadly called off but organisers are planning a return. Vroom, vroom!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>There’s no train station at Ringwood – the nearest is in Bournemouth which is under 20 mins away by car and has direct trains to London in less than two hours. Easy access to the A31 means a quick 30 min commute to Southampton, with London around 2 hrs 10 mins by car.</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Ringwood

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