Ringwood is an historic market town in Hampshire, England, located on the River Avon, west of the New Forest and north of Bournemouth. The town features a weekly market in the traditional market place. A cattle market ran in the Furlong until 1989, which is now home to a Waitrose supermarket, coffee shops and fashion outlets.

Ringwood was noted as the second most expensive market town in England in July 2008 with average property prices costing over £380,000.

The BBC television comedy series "The Brittas Empire" was filmed at Ringwood Health and Leisure Centre.

Ringwood is the home of the Ringwood Brewery, which produces a variety of cask ales and runs five pubs in the local area, such as the Inn on the Furlong in Ringwood. Ringwood brewery also produces a variety of wines. It was recently taken over by Marston's Brewery, who plan to keep the brewery and all its brands, but lease out its tied public houses.

There are several Girl Guide and Scout groups in Ringwood catering for school-age children. There are also many other clubs for children, including sporting clubs at the health and leisure centre. There is a skate park in Carver's Field and many play parks for younger children.

The senior school is Ringwood School, a specialist language college. The state primary schools are Ringwood Junior, Poulner Junior, Ringwood Infants and Poulner Infants. There is also a Waldorf school near a Camphill community.

Ringwood School has a radio station run by students which started in 2006. The school also participates in other citizenship projects.

After the Battle of Sedgemoor on 6 July, 1685, James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth was arrested near Horton. 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). It was here that he wrote a letter to James II begging forgiveness. It was not granted, and he was brought to trial in the Tower of London by the infamous 'Hanging Judge Jefferies.'

Also after the Battle of Sedgemoor, an elderly local lady, Alice Lisle, gave refuge to two wanted men who were escaping the battle. When her home, Moyles Court, (now a private school - Moyles Court School) was raided, the men were found and Alice was arrested. She was sentenced by the same Judge Jefferies to be burned at the stake; she received a late reprieve, and the sentence was reduced to beheading. She is buried at St Mary's Church, Ellingham, some two miles from her Moyles Court home. Her tomb can be found to the right of the church entrance; it is easily spotted as the lid has been left unfinished with rough edges. There is now a pub called the Alice Lisle near Moyles Court.

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