Shingle Beach and Coastal Paths
At Ringstead Bay, a shingle beach is reached by steep old paths. The bay can be accessed via the A353 through the village of Upton. The South West Coast Path, on the route from Ferrybridge to Lulworth Cove, also passes through Ringstead Bay. This means there is both a direct access point to the beach and a section of a longer coastal path here.
A walk from Ringstead along the beach to the first section of the White Nothe landslip and back is described in a 2013 route guide as relatively easy. It is also suitable for detailed geological study. Path, access and safety conditions may change. A 2013 field guide describes another route: the South West Coast Path runs from the car park at the top of the cliffs to Burning Cliff and on to White Nothe; paths and conditions may change here too. The walks differ in their starting points and routes: one begins at Ringstead and follows the beach path before returning, while the other starts at the car park and follows the route along the top of the cliffs.
St Catherine by the Sea and Burning Cliff
At the top of Burning Cliff stands the small wooden church of St Catherine by the Sea. From the National Trust car park at Ringstead Bay, a path about half a mile long leads down the slope to the church; the descent takes 15 minutes. Car park and path conditions may change, so check them before setting out. The Benefice Good Friday Walk ends at the church. If you plan to attend, check the current arrangements in advance, as they may change.
Burning Cliff is also associated with a geological event: the cliff once caught fire because of its composition of oil shale and iron pyrites. The church at its summit and the story of the cliff give the same named stretch of coast two distinct aspects: one ecclesiastical and one geological.
Historical and Archaeological Traces
RAF Ringstead was established as a Chain Home radar station in 1941. The main surviving components of the former station include two transmitter blocks, two receiver blocks and two receiver-tower bases. A substation and a standby equipment hut also survive. These structures give a concrete picture of the technical installation, without implying that it can be visited today.
The Ringstead Deserted Medieval Village survives as an earthwork with house platforms and hollow ways. The earthworks of West Ringstead cover about five hectares and belong to the medieval village of West Ringstead. Another relic is the medieval Ringstead fishpond: it survives as a hollow about half a metre deep and 28 metres in diameter.
Ringstead Ice House is a post-medieval structure on an artificially cut terrace. Beneath an earth, stone and turf mound lies a square flint chamber with sides measuring three metres. The mound measures nine by twelve metres and is one and a half metres high. The figures distinguish the chamber inside from the much larger mound surrounding it.
The surviving masonry of Ringstead Old Church appears to date from the 13th century. A church on this site is first mentioned in 1227; that date therefore refers to the first mention of a church there, not to the dating of the masonry that survives today. Glebe Cottage illustrates a different kind of structural change: the former church was converted into a house, with features including the chancel arch retained.
Discover more destinations: Ashmore, North Wootton, Hamworthy, Horton, Alderholt, Poole, Hampreston, Swanage
For the broader travel overview: Dorset.
