View source for Ringstead, Dorset

{{Short description|Coastal village in Dorset, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                    = Ringstead
|settlement_type         = Village
|image_skyline           = Ringstead, beach notices - geograph.org.uk - 1416605.jpg
|imagesize               = 
|image_alt               = Ringstead beach
|image_caption           = Looking east on the beach at Ringstead with [[White Nothe]] in the background
|etymology               = 
|nickname                = 
|coordinates             = {{Coord|50.63197|-2.35465|display=inline,title}}
|grid_name               = [[Ordnance Survey]]
|grid_position           = {{oscoor gbx|SY750814}}
|pushpin_map             = Dorset
|pushpin_label_position  = 
|pushpin_map_alt         = 
|pushpin_map_caption     = 
|population_total        = 
|subdivision_type        = Country
|subdivision_name        = [[England]], [[United Kingdom]]
|subdivision_type1       = County
|subdivision_name1       = [[Dorset]]
|subdivision_type2       = 
|subdivision_name2       = 
|website                 = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
}}
'''Ringstead''' is a small seaside [[village]] located on the coast in [[Dorset]], southern [[England]]. The area lies on the [[Jurassic Coast]] and is known for its natural environment and [[fossil]]s.<ref name="nationaltrust">{{cite web| url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ringstead-bay | title=Ringstead Bay | publisher=[[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] | location=UK | accessdate=16 January 2022 }}</ref> [[Ringstead Bay]], Mottram's beach and [[White Nothe]] are to the east. [[Bran Point]] and [[Osmington Mills]] are to the west.

==Beach==
Ringstead has a pebble and shingle beach with some sand at the western end of Ringstead Bay.<ref name="thebeachguide">{{cite web| url=https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/south-west-england/dorset/ringstead-bay.htm | title=Ringstead Bay | work=thebeachguide | location=UK | accessdate=16 January 2022 }}</ref><ref name="visit-dorset">{{cite web| url=https://www.visit-dorset.com/listing/ringstead-beach/113531301/ | title=Ringstead Beach | work=Visit Dorset | location=UK | accessdate=16 January 2022 }}</ref> There are offshore [[reef]]s approximately {{convert|0.6|km|mi}} 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|West Ringstead}}
The original medieval village<ref name="historicengland">{{cite web| url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1019393 | title=Medieval settlement at West Ringstead | publisher=[[Historic England]] | location=UK | accessdate=22 January 2022 }}</ref> and church<ref name="dorset-churches">{{cite web| url=http://www.dorset-churches.org.uk/ringstead.html | title=Ringstead (deserted village) | website=dorset-churches.org.uk | location=UK | accessdate=22 January 2022 }}</ref> at Ringstead, located in a field to the west of the current settlement and mentioned in the [[Domesday Book]], no longer exists.<ref name="ashley84">{{cite book| title=The Dorset Village Book | chapter=Ringstead | first=Harry | last=Ashley | publisher=Countryside Books | location=Newbury | pages=120–121 | date=1984 | isbn=0 905392 35 3 }}</ref> It was most likely abandoned after the arrival of the [[Black Death]] at [[Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth]] in 1348.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jurassiccoastline.com/jurassic_Info1b.asp?ID=182&AreaID=182 | title=Ringstead | website=www.jurassiccoastline.com | publisher=Jurassic Coastline | access-date=10 November 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20131110153624/http://www.jurassiccoastline.com/jurassic_Info1b.asp?ID=182&AreaID=182 | archive-date=10 November 2013 }}</ref> All that can be seen now are variations in the ground level.<ref name="dorset-churches" /> The site is listed on the [[National Heritage List for England]].<ref name="historicengland" />

==Modern Ringstead==
[[File:Ringstead Bay c.1970.jpg|thumb|1970 view of West Ringstead from [[White Nothe]], with [[Ringstead Bay]] in the foreground and the two radar masts of [[RAF Ringstead]]in the distance]]
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.<ref name="ashley84" /> 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]], Mottram's beach 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]].<ref>{{cite web| first=Ian | last=West | url=http://www.soton.ac.uk/~imw/Ringstead-White-Nothe.htm | title=Ringstead Bay to White Nothe, Dorset | work=Geology of the Wessex Coast of Southern England | publisher=[[University of Southampton]] | location=UK | access-date=10 November 2013 }}</ref> 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.<ref>[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.</ref>

The small village of [[Osmington Mills]] lies on the coast about {{convert|1.5|km|mi}} to the west and there is a footpath along the cliffs, via [[Bran Point]].<ref>{{cite web| first=Ian | last=West | url=http://www.soton.ac.uk/~imw/osring.htm | title=Osmington Mills to Ringstead Bay — Corallian Strata | work=Geology of the Wessex Coast of Southern England | publisher=University of Southampton | location=UK | access-date=10 November 2013 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.weymouth-dorset.co.uk/osmington.html Osmington, Osmington Mills and Ringstead], [http://www.weymouth-dorset.co.uk/Weymouth, Dorset], UK.</ref> [[Perry Ledge]] is a reef off the beach near Bran Point. The large town of [[Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth]] is situated approximately {{convert|8|km|mi|0}} west of Ringstead Bay.

Ringstead also has a [[nudist]] beach that is a 20-minutes walk east of the main beach.<ref name="walkingclub">{{cite web| url=https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/nudist-beach/Ringstead-Bay-Dorset.html | title=Ringstead Bay Dorset | work=Naturist / Nudist Beaches in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland | publisher=Saturday Walkers Club | location=UK | accessdate=16 January 2022 }}</ref><ref name="dors_Ring">{{Cite web| title = Ringstead Bay news from the Dorset Beaches| work = dorsetbeaches.co.uk| access-date = 2015-08-16| url = http://www.dorsetbeaches.co.uk/westdor/ringsteadbay/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526012422/http://www.dorsetbeaches.co.uk/westdor/ringsteadbay | archive-date=2015-05-26}}</ref>

==Access==
[[File:Beach cafe, Ringstead - geograph.org.uk - 3048777.jpg|thumb|The beach cafe next to the car park at Ringstead]]
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 for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] area further inland, with footpath access to the sea via a 15–20 minute walk.

==See also==
* [[Ringstead Bay]]
* [[RAF Ringstead]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat}}
* {{oscoor gbx|SY750814}}

{{Jurassic Coast}}

[[Category:Villages in Dorset]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Dorset]]
[[Category:Jurassic Coast]]
[[Category:Nude beaches]]


{{Dorset-geo-stub}}