Nestled on the Jurassic Coast behind rolling grass-strewn clifftops lies one of Dorset’s hidden gems: the quiet, picturesque Ringstead Bay. A whisper compared to its neighbour, this little tucked-away haven is just around the corner from Durdle Door but draws in only a handful of beachgoers. Late Saturday morning we had the place almost to ourselves.
Perhaps it’s because the beach here is a little more of an adventure to get to, a mile-long walk down from the clifftop, snaking past open fields and chocolate-box cottages to reach the stretch of pebbled shore. The journey there was a wonderful part of our visit, strolling hand in hand towards the blue horizon ahead of us.
Around every corner was a delightful spot to rest in, tucked away to the side of the path. We didn’t bring a picnic, nor any water, and instantly regretted it. With the clifftop breeze no longer reaching us and the September sun deceivingly warm, it would have been lovely to break up the walk and take in our surroundings.
The vastness of blue ahead guided us towards the sea throughout our journey, reaching a tranquil beach at the end. Instead of sand, we found a gradient of shingle, pebbles and smooth rocks, the latter gently coated with waves lapping against the shore. We picked our spot and basked in the late summer sun, collecting souvenirs before beginning the walk back to the top.
It was the most idyllic morning with my favourite person by my side, and a lovely way catch a moment of a summer that didn’t quite materialise this year. I hope we can spend more time in the fresh outdoors, adding memories and step counts along the way.
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