Ringstead, Dorset

Beach

Ringstead has a pebble and shingle beach with some sand at the western end of Ringstead Bay. There are offshore reefs approximately 0.6 km in length opposite the beach at Ringstead that are uncovered at low tide. These form an intertidal zone between the low cliffs to the north and the English Channel to the south.

West Ringstead

Main article: West Ringstead

The original medieval village and church at Ringstead, located in a field to the west of the current settlement and mentioned in the Domesday Book, no longer exists. It was most likely abandoned after the arrival of the Black Death at Weymouth in 1348. All that can be seen now are variations in the ground level. The site is listed on the National Heritage List for England.

Modern Ringstead

The modern village of Ringstead is located to the west of the original abandoned village, with a few former fishermen's cottages and holiday homes. The beach, although mostly shingle, is popular with holidaymakers. During World War II and the Cold War, a radar station, known as RAF Ringstead, was located at Ringstead.

Location

Immediately to the east are Ringstead Bay, Burning Cliff, and beyond that the white chalk cliffs of White Nothe, dominating the view. It is possible to walk to the top of White Nothe and back from the village, with views of the bay and across to the Isle of Portland. It is also possible to walk to Ringstead Bay on a circular walk from Lulworth Cove to the east, via Durdle Door and White Nothe.

The small village of Osmington Mills lies on the coast about 1.5 km to the west and there is a footpath along the cliffs, via Bran Point. Perry Ledge is a reef off the beach near Bran Point. The large town of Weymouth is situated approximately 8 km west of Ringstead Bay.

Ringstead also has a nudist beach that is a 20-minutes walk east of the main beach.

Access

Ringstead is accessible by way of a private road with a car park and shop/cafe at the end near the sea just before the village itself. There is an alternative free car park in the National Trust area further inland, with footpath access to the sea via a 15–20 minute walk.

References

References

1. "Ringstead Bay". [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty.
2. "Ringstead Bay". thebeachguide.
3. "Ringstead Beach". Visit Dorset.
4. "Medieval settlement at West Ringstead". [[Historic England]].
5. "Ringstead (deserted village)".
6. Ashley, Harry. (1984). "The Dorset Village Book". Countryside Books.
7. "Ringstead". Jurassic Coastline.
8. West, Ian. "Ringstead Bay to White Nothe, Dorset". [[University of Southampton]].
9. [http://www.southwestcoastpath.com/main/walks/index.cfm?fsa=dspWalkDetail&w_id=60 Durdle Door & White Nothe circular], [http://www.southwestcoastpath.com/ The South West Coast Path National Trail], UK.
10. West, Ian. "Osmington Mills to Ringstead Bay — Corallian Strata". University of Southampton.
11. [http://www.weymouth-dorset.co.uk/osmington.html Osmington, Osmington Mills and Ringstead], [http://www.weymouth-dorset.co.uk/Weymouth, Dorset], UK.
12. "Ringstead Bay Dorset". Saturday Walkers Club.
13. "Ringstead Bay news from the Dorset Beaches". dorsetbeaches.co.uk.