The area covered by the RFFS comprises these thirteen parishes 

 

 

Martin

Damerham

Rockbourne

Whitstbury
Breamore

Hale      

Woodgreen

Sandleheath

Fordingbridge

Godshill

Hyde

Ellingham, Harbridge & Ibsley

Ringwood

The footpath system has developed over a long period. It was originally necessary for journeys between home and work, church, nearby towns and villages, schools and place of refreshment. Now this heritage is available not only for its original use but for recreation as well.

 

Management of the local footpaths rests with the Hampshire County Council and the Society liaises closely with the Council's Rights of Way Department in ensuring that

• bridges, stiles and gates are properly maintained;

• paths are kept free from obstruction;

• illegal ploughing of headland paths is checked;

• crossfield paths are reinstated after ploughing; 

• where appropriate, paths are clearly signposted and waymarked.

 

The Ringwood and Fordingbridge Footpath Society was formed in 1974 to protect the interests of users of public paths by ensuring (a) their reasonable maintenance and freedom from obstruction and (b) their adequate signposting and waymarking. It aims to urge local authorities to discharge their responsibilities with regard topublic paths and seeks to foster and maintain friendly cooperation between path users, landowners, local authorities and the community generally.

The Society's area is made up of thirteen parishes and covers about 160 square kilometres of greatly varied countryside ranging from quiet water meadows to high wind-blown common, from the edge of the New Forest to the borders of Cranborne Chase. A variety of flora and fauna including deer may be seen and within the new forest, grazing ponies, cattle, donkeys, sheep and pigs may be met.

 

Although we are essentially a footpath protection organisation, we believe that the best way of maintaining the network in good order is to make good and regular use of it. Newcomers to the area, prospective new members and visitors are very welcome to join us for walks in these delightfully varied parts of Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire.

 

During the months of April and October, our walks take place on the rights of way in our 13 parishes. For the other 10 months of the year, our walks are also held in an area of wonderfully contrasting scenery, from the New Forest to the rolling chalk downlands and onwards to the coastline of Dorset and the rural landscapes of Southern Wiltshire.