Activities you can enjoy at Ringstead Bay

The beach, coast path and unspoilt countryside makes Ringstead Bay an ideal place to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.

A couple walking towards Weymouth on the coast path at Ringstead Bay
Ringstead Bay   Dorset

Walking

The countryside surrounding Ringstead Bay is a haven for walkers with miles of footpaths to explore including a particularly scenic stretch of the South West Coast Path. Starting from the National Trust car park, you can follow it west towards Osmington and Weymouth or east towards the famous Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Alternatively walk through the wildlife-rich fields of our tenant farmer down to the bay.

The official South West Coast Path website
Young girl with kite streamers
Ringstead Bay   Dorset

50 things activities

Calling all young (and young at heart) adventurers. You can complete almost half your 50 things to do before you're 11¾ challenges at Ringstead Bay. We've created this handy activity map to show you what you can do where.

Download the Burton Bradstock 50 things activity map (pdf)
A close up of three carline thistles
Ringstead Bay   Dorset

Watching wildlife

Willdlife enthusiasts, bring your binoculars because you are in for a treat. The interesting scrub at Ringstead attracts migratory birds such as the white throat, and you might also see waders on the foreshore and rock pipits, and see or hear a nightingale. You're on prime butterfly-spotting territory too. On the ground, you can see many beautiful wildflowers including viper's bugloss, carline thistle and other flowering plants of calcarious grassland.

A male swimmer in calm blue sea on a West Dorset beach in the summer
Ringstead Bay   Dorset

Swimming

Ringstead Bay is a sheltered beach that's great for swimming. A peaceful alternative to the busy resort of Weymouth, it also boasts a fantastic view of the Isle of Portland to admire as you swim. No wonder so many locals tell us that Ringstead is their favourite Dorset beach.

More info about West Dorset beaches
Runner on the South West Coast Path, Studland, Dorset
Ringstead Bay   Dorset

Running

Why sweat it out on a treadmill in a gym when you can enjoy traffic-free running in the fresh air? For a beautiful but challenging training session, the undulating South West Coast Path awaits.