As a family we have challenged ourselves to visit every beach in Dorset and we made a good start in 2015 by ticking off Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Swanage, Portland, Charmouth, West Bay, Lyme Regis, Kimmeridge Bay and Burton Bradstock as well as the 7 miles of beach we have in our home town of Bournemouth.
Yesterday we headed to the Sea Life Centre in Weymouth and had planned to go up in the Sea Life Tower too but sadly it was closed. I was going to take the kids onto the beach in Weymouth but as we drove in I remembered seeing a sign for Ringstead Bay, somewhere which had been recommended to me but we hadn’t yet visited, so we headed back out-of-town in search of somewhere new to visit.
Ringstead Bay lies on the Jurassic Coast and is known for its natural beauty and fossils. The car park is a short walk from the beach and as we rounded the corner of the path to get a view of the beach it was a real “WOW” moment.
Ringstead Bay has a pebble and shingle beach with some sand and Sebby wasn’t sure at first as the shingle was quite tricky to walk on, however he soon found his balance and headed down towards the water where they all threw pebbles into the water to make different sounds.
There was lots of seaweed and other debris washed up on the beach thanks to the recent storms and we found a couple of mermaids purses, but Eliza was far more interested in spinning around and using the seaweed like a gymnasts ribbon.
We then headed around the corner and down the wooden steps to another section of the beach. This was framed by clay cliffs and the kids were fascinated by the soft texture of the clay which was dotted along the beach. We didn’t find any fossils as I didn’t want the kids too close to the cliffs as they are unstable because of the amount of rain we have had recently.
We spent a good two hours exploring the bay and playing on the beach. We even spotted a couple of Cormorants on top of a pole who appeared to be having an in-depth conversation with each other.
It was a lovely afternoon by the sea and we certainly be back when it is warmer as there is a small outcrop of rock which appears when the tide is low which we want to explore. We could just make it out as waves were breaking over it.
Looks like you had so much fun! I wish we lived closer to the beach. It’s so nice that you all those lovely places on your doorstep!
I challenged myself to do this last year and must get back to it! Such a fab idea as we have so many lovely beaches here and so many I’ve never heard of like this one. Popping it on my list! Lovely photos x
Looks like you had so much fun. Although I always enjoy myself when I take the kids to a beach when it’s cold, I am really struggling with the cold whilst pregnant this time round! Stunning photos x
I love the idea of setting a family challenge to get outdoors and explore the nearby beaches
It looks like you had so much fun! I wish we lived closer to a beach, I love going so much….. especially during winter. Lovely photos, thanks for sharing x
I love exploring new beaches, it looks like you have uncovered a real gem here and by the looks of it you were the only ones there.Perhaps it was just as well the sea life tower was closed, this looks just as much fun. Some gorgeous photos as always and now I can see where your Sunday photo comes from! It really struck me looking at these pictures how much the little ones are growing up, treasure these family trips, they are the ones you will remember. Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids.
It looks like your kids really enjoyed this beach. It’s not one we’ve been to before but we have seen a lot of the others you’ve ticked off so far. I love the sound of your challenge #countrykids
Aww I miss being near the beach. Look likes you’ve a lovely one here. What a fab challenge to set. Could I ask you a huge favour please – if you get a mo please could you add it to http://www.cankidsgo.com (submit a place, beach) to share with other people out and about as to how family friendly it is. Thank you xx
I have tried to add it but when I click submit nothing happens?
Lovely photos, the kids looked like they were having a great time! I’ve never been to Ringstead, we really are spoilt for choice here aren’t we though #countrykids xx
This looks like a fantastic adventure and fabulous day out! 🙂 Thanks for sharing. I’ve never heard of Ringstead Bay
What a great idea. We live in Bournemouth too and should definitely make the most of what’s on our doorstep. Love spending time at the beach and we had a great time fossil hunting at charmouth.
What a lovely post, your kids are adorable. Looks like they had an amazing day, I really enjoyed watching the video!
This looks and sounds like a lovely day out. I want to go to sealife again
What a lovely idea to check out all the different beaches. I have been down to Weymouth beaches many a time but have to admit I haven’t heard of this one.
This looks like a gorgeous day out. I love a trip to the beach. There is nothing quite like it. And a trip to the beach on a cold, wintery day is the best ever. I love the idea of this challenge. And I can’t wait to read more about it. Hugs Lucy xxxx
We are so lucky living in Dorset aren’t we! Ringstead is one of our regular haunts (even if it does sound like an unpleasant disease!!)
I love your idea to check out every beach in Dorset!
You certainly are lucky living near such a beautiful area of the coastline. I think my boys would enjoy looking for fossils too. I can not believe how big S is!
Sounds like a great family challenge! What a lovely day out, even in the cold and what a beautiful beach too. I really want to see more of that part of the world
Looks like a lovely place, Kara, and your photos are beautiful, as always.xx
What a lovely place, great for the kids to run free.
What a fab idea of visiting all the beaches in Dorset. We’ve not ben to many but plan to this year. We’ve been to Sandbanks which was awesome. The beaches are always better when quiet. What a lovely family day out.
Laura x
Looks like you had so much fun! Nothing better than a beach for toddlers to explore x
I love your ambition to visit all the beaches in Dorset. This one looks spectacular. Most of our local beaches are sandy. I think my kids would really enjoy a bisit to a pebble beach.
Looks like a great place to explore. A lot of people favour sandy beaches, but a good pebbly one is so much fun for children!
What a great challenge you set yourself, you’ve done really well since last year too. That is a fantastic way to explore new places. Personally I haven’t been to many beaches in the UK. I have heard Weymouth is beautiful, my neighbour in his 80s has family there, he spends a lot of time there in the holidays. I shall ask him if he has ventured to Ringstead Bay.
Your little look super happy, it nice they are using their imaginations to play, seaweed skipping would be my choice too. 🙂
Thank you x
Gorgeous photos, looks like a lovely place. I’ll be down that way in the summer so will add it to my list of places to go!
What an amazing challenge to set yourself – I hope you had lots of fun achieving it 😉
It looks fun, beautiful and cold :). We should all go out in to the nature more often.
SO beautiful – your photos are just gorgeous – I love your idea of visiting every beach – I would like to do that in Pembrokeshire this year, there are so many we haven’t been to. Kaz x
We want to explore Dorset more as we live in the neighbouring county. It sounds like a great challenge to do #whatevertheweather
Oh, how I miss being near the sea! I love your idea of visiting all your local beaches.
oh my gosh the movie is adorable, reminds me so much of my kids loving throwing peebles in the water and carrying Teddy even at the beach. Aspen always thought she was Ariel too #whatevertheweather
Love the sound of this family challenge! I miss living by the seaside as I grew up within a stone throw of the beach and now we live in Gloucestershire about as far away as you can get!
Looks like you had a great time on the beach. A really nice find! We visited Weymouth for the first time last October. Had a fab time and the beaches are great. We definitely need to return to explore more. #whatevertheweather
Wow that’s some challenge. You’re so lucky to have so many great beaches so close…love visiting when debris has been washed up too!
Wow i love how many you’ve been too so far! I love Ringstead Bay. I used to live in Lyme Regis and we used to do the same as you and go fossil hunting on all the beaches up and down the Jurassic coast. It’s amazing what you find! I used to love collecting driftwood to make stuff with. What a beautiful day out with gorgeous pictures of the little ones playing together. Thank you for sharing your adventure on #whatevertheweather x
oh that just looks so lovely…i could do with seeing the sea, so goo d for the soul
It looks like a gorgeous beach to visit, the clay cliffs sound intriguing although I can understand that you would want to keep clear after all the heavy rain. I love how kids can entertain themselves so well when given the opportunity to explore. Good luck visiting all the beaches, have you got them mapped out? Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x