WELCOME TO RINGWOOD
If you come to Ringwood, you will be met with a very warm welcome. We have a team of volunteers who are working hard to help find hosts with suitable accommodation for you and to build a support network for Ukrainians to meet one another and feel part of our friendly community. Below, you will find a helpful Ringwood welcome guide with lots of practical information about the area, schools, doctors, employment, benefits and trauma support.
Whilst this is a beautiful and friendly place, please be aware that Ringwood is an expensive place to live with relatively high rental and property purchase costs and limited affordable accommodation. Before you decide to come here, you should take this into account. There are also limited school places for some age groups which you should also check before applying. These are points that you should research and discuss with any possible host to make sure you are aware of all the information.
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There is a market in the town every Wednesday morning. There are shops, coffee shops, restaurants, pubs and bars. There are local gyms, a swimming pool and play parks for children. Ringwood also has a local library and a world-famous Brewery.
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The large bus stop on Meeting House Lane can connect you to nearby Bournemouth and Southampton where you can access train services. You can also catch a coach to London.
There are some great beaches near-by, reachable by car, bus or even a long bike ride. Poole Harbour is shallow and great for kite surfing or kayaking, or you can walk out along a long spit to Hurst Castle and then get a taxi boat back.
The town is on the edge of The New Forest National Park, with walks, cycleways and bridleways throughout. Ponies, donkeys and pigs often roam the forest.
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There are small villages, with cafes and pubs, dotted around which offer welcome refreshments.