10 Good Reasons to visit Ringwood

Ringwood dates back to Saxon times. The pretty town with its landmark church grew up around a crossing point on the River Avon. By the Middle Ages, Ringwood had become established as a market town.

Ringwood Market
A traditional street market held every Wednesday in the Market Place. As well as plants, fresh fruit and vegetables, clothes and accessories, there are often innovative products and if the price seems too high, try a little friendly bartering.

Furlong Centre
This pedestrianised area is chic and cosmopolitan with tables and chairs from the cafés spilling outside and fashionable shops clustering along the edges. A supermarket is included and the informal, yet busy atmosphere makes a refreshing change from most other supermarket complexes. Instead of dominating the Furlong Centre, Waitrose blends nicely with its surroundings, yet offers all the benefits of free parking and level walkways for easy shopping.

Jubilee Gardens
The pretty gardens near the Millstream are a legacy of the Vicarage gardens and still greatly photographed today. Situated near The Bridges, there is seating where you can take a rest. Just up the road is the Fish Inn alongside the River Avon. The meandering Millsteam flows to Bickerley Green.

Bickerley Green
This open space is a stone’s throw from the town centre. Purchased by the town council twenty-five years ago, it is preserved as a village green. The Bickerley is used for fairs, fesitvals and carnival activities.

The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul
Dominating the Market Place is the parish church. Its tower can be seen for miles and the church, with its large nave, chancel and transept is worth investigating. The massive tower rises to about 100 feet and contains eight bells, it is usually open at least once a year and the climb is rewarded with breathtaking views.

Shopping
Ringwood is vibrant and busy, and the shopping areas are compact. The many shops are interesting with nationals rubbing shoulders with independently owned stores. From high fashion to haberdashery, outdoor wear to lingerie and kitchen accessories to living room furniture, Ringwood offers diversity and keen prices. Have a look at the advertisers surrounding the feature (on pages 8-9 of Mid September 09 issue) and judge for yourself.

Events
The town is well renowned for its Christmas parade when the shops stay open late and visitors flock to enjoy the festival spirit. There was a gingerbread house in the Furlong last year, and that will be back, with Santa. The British Pedal Car Grand Prix is another exciting event. This biannual mini Monaco next takes place in 2010. Summer in the Furlong Centre is well organised. From performing arts to sheep shearing – there is normally something to bring a smile. Ringwood Festival, the Carnival and Skatefest are more big events. The Carnival is on 19 September this year and the procession will be led by Carnival Queen, Charlotte Benson.

Greyfriars Community Centre
The centre thrives in an elegant Georgian House. The art exhibition for September is by Chérie Wheatcroft. In October work by the members of Ringwood Camera Club will be on display; and in November paintings by the centre’s own Friday afternoon group, Avon Painters will be on show. Classes include Pilates, Spanish and yoga.

Ringwood Meeting House
Built by Presbyterians in 1727, the Meeting House is one of the best surviving examples of a small meeting house in the country. It is run by the Ringwood Meeting House Association. Volunteers help with enquiries about local or family history. In the upper galleries of the building is a collection of old photographs of Ringwood and other memorabilia. Downstairs is an area for exhibitions. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-12 noon and Wednesdays 10am-2.30pm. Entrance 50p includes coffee or tea.

Pubs, restaurants, cafés
There are many established pubs, restaurants and eateries. Whether you have a yearning for traditional English, Indian, Chinese, Thai or Italian or maybe good old fish ‘n’ chips or exotic kebabs, you will find it in Ringwood. There is something to suit most culinary tastes, pockets and hours of the day. For lighter meals or just a quick coffee there are a number of cafés, some with outdoor seating.

With plenty of parking in the town, some of it free, Ringwood has a lot going for it and many shopkeepers defied the credit crunch by declaring excellent pre-Christmas trade in 2008.