Ringstead Bay facts for kids
Ringstead Bay and the small village of Ringstead are found on the coast in Dorset, southern England. This area is part of the famous Jurassic Coast, which is known for its amazing natural beauty and ancient fossils.
Ringstead Bay has a beach made of pebbles and shingle, with some sandy spots. When the tide is low, you can see reefs about 0.6 kilometers (0.4 miles) long in the sea near the village. This area, where the land meets the sea, is called the intertidal zone. It's located between the low cliffs to the north and the English Channel to the south.
The original medieval village of Ringstead, which even had a church, was mentioned in the Domesday Book. It used to be in a field east of where the village is now, but it disappeared a long time ago. It was probably abandoned after the terrible Black Death arrived in Weymouth in 1348.
Just to the east of Ringstead Bay, you'll see the tall, white chalk cliffs of White Nothe. These cliffs really stand out! You can walk to the top of White Nothe and enjoy fantastic views of the bay and even see across to the Isle of Portland. It's also possible to walk to Ringstead Bay from Lulworth Cove to the east. This walk takes you past famous spots like Durdle Door and White Nothe.
The small village of Osmington Mills is about 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) west along the coast. There's a path along the cliffs that connects Ringstead Bay to Osmington Mills, passing by Bran Point. Near Bran Point, there's another reef called Perry Ledge off the beach. The larger town of Weymouth is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) west of Ringstead Bay.
Getting to Ringstead Bay
You can reach Ringstead Bay by driving on a private road that leads to a car park right by the sea. There's also another car park further inland, which is free and managed by the National Trust. From there, you can walk to the sea in about 15 to 20 minutes along a footpath.
Images for kids
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View west across Ringstead Bay
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View across Ringstead Bay to White Nothe
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Rocky foreshore on the east side of Ringstead Bay
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Beach and cliffs, Ringstead Bay
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View of the Isle of Portland from Ringstead Bay
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View of the Isle of Portland from Ringstead Bay
