About Ringwood in Hampshire

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About Ringwood

High Street, Ringwood

Saxon Ringwood was a Royal Manor, with a Church and a Mill, not much else is known. In the 13th century the 'old' church was built, but it suffered under the hands of renovators and restorers and had to be pulled down. It was then rebuilt in the mid 1850's. John Hodgkins, a Ringwood parson, is remembered as a friend of Henry Tudor, and the legend of the White Hart Hotel connects this king with Ringwood. The story goes that, one day Henry VII was out hunting in the Forest, a larger white hart known as 'Albert' was cornered and gave them one of the finest runs on record, before returning to bay in the water meadows by the River Avon. The ladies of the Court, who were riding with the Royal Party, were incensed at the thought of the hart being killed. The dogs were called off and the white hart 'Albert' was decorated with a gold collar. After this fine day's sport the Royal Party rested at the Hostelry, the owner of which commissioned a painting to be done of 'Albert' with its magnificent gold collar on. This may be true for Ringwood, but it is also thought that the origin of the general use of the sign is from the badge worn by Edward IV, who had an interest in the highroads of his kingdom and his establishment of posting-houses along all the main routes. It was very seldom that a genuine White Hart sign was found off the main highway. There is another version of this story, that states that Dorset may hold the answer of the 'White Hart'. Thomas de La Lind killed a favourite white stag belonging to Henry III and had to pay 'white hart silver' to the King.

Ringwood Market and Fair date back to the 13th and 14th century when country produce, Forest ponies and cheeses were the staple commodities.

Also in the town is the house, by the bridge over the Avon, where Monmouth is reported to have written his timid cowardly appeal. Also the Manor House where Lord Chief Justice William Murray, Earl of Mansfield, lived. It was once said that he was a scholar of the Free School which was founded in 1586 by John Lyne, Bishop Stillingfleet was also educated there. The old school was by the churchyard near the pollarded limes which were planted nearly 250 years ago by a gardener from Blashford. His name was Bower, and it is said that he could drink 16 pints of Ringwood ale a day. It was noted that the sexton was only allowed to have this amount!

All phone numbers are prefixed (01425) unless otherwise stated.