“The historic market town of Ringwood occupies a strategic position on the western edge of the New Forest with the renowned Avon Valley long-distance walking path passing through it. Vital ancient trading links once provided by the River Avon and the Victorian railway have been replaced by excellent road systems with the town at the crossroads of the A31 and A338 offering fast journeys to and from Southampton, Poole, Salisbury and Bournemouth.
The Wednesday street market has been held in the Market Place since a charter was awarded in 1226, this charter has been held by the family of Lord Morant for hundreds of years. Animals and agricultural goods were still bought and sold into the 1980s, but now a wide variety of merchandise can be found, complimented at the weekends by farmers and speciality markets held in The Furlong and Gateway Square.
The exact history of the town remains unknown however in 955 AD, documents suggest that ‘Rimucwude’ is mentioned which translates into the ‘rim of the forest’. A church and a mill were also mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086.
In 1725, brewing took off in Ringwood as breweries made use of the waters of the River Avon giving rise to great beers.” https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/explore/towns-and-villages/ringwood/
“After the [Civil War] Battle of Sedgemoor on 6 July 1685, [James Scott] the 1st Duke of Monmouth was arrested near Horton, just outside Ringwood. Monmouth is believed to have hid in a ditch under an ash tree disguised as a shepherd, but was betrayed by a local woman who (according to legend) later killed herself in remorse. Monmouth was then taken to the house now named Monmouth House in West Street (between the Market Place and the Fish Inn) where he wrote a letter (in vain) to James II begging forgiveness. He was brought to trial in the Tower of London by the infamous “Hanging Judge Jefferies” and subsequently beheaded. Legend relates that it was realised after the execution that there was no official portrait of the Duke; so his body was exhumed, the head stitched back on the body, and it was sat for its portrait to be painted.”( https://www.newforest-online.co.uk/ringwood.asp )
Late this afternoon we photographed the town’s main street.
Here is my gallery;
and here, Jackie’s.
As usual clicking on any picture will access its gallery. I have chosen the header mainly for its apt choice of paintings on display.
This evening we dined on chicken Kiev with garlic and parsley centres; oven chips; cauliflower, carrots, runner beans, and spinach, with which I finished the Malbec.