Things to do
Ringstead is very well placed for visiting many of Dorset's attractions or taking part in many of the activities that the area has to offer.
Places to visit
Weymouth is the closest town where you can watch Punch and Judy, ride a donkey or hire a deck chair on the town beach. Alternatively wander through the maze of shopping streets or around the bustling harbour and out onto the end of the town pier for a good view back to the beach. The historic market town of Dorchester or one of the many local picturesque villages are easily reached by car.
There are plenty of other beaches to choose from each with it's own unique attraction. Studland Beach on the Purbeck peninsula is large flat and sandy, the famous pebbly Chesil Beach stretches from Portland to West Bay, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door offer unique geological formations or try the small fishing towns of West Bay or Lyme Regis.
Interesting local attractions include Abbotsbury Swannery and Sub Tropical Gardens, Brownsea Island, Corfe Castle, the Cerne Abbas Giant and Thomas Hardy's Wessex. Why not visit the Sea Life Centre in Weymouth, Monkey World and Bovington Tank Museum near Wareham, Swanage Steam Railway, Seaton Tramway or the Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester.
If you want to visit further afield try a day trip on the Weymouth Sea Cat to Jersey or Guernsey.
Eating Out
Dorset offers plenty of options for eating out including local traditional pubs, gourmet harbourside restaurants and al fresco cafe bars. Being on the coast you can expect the local seafood dishes to be exceptionally fresh as they have probably been caught on one of the mornings fishing trips. Many of the locals in Ringstead itself enjoy fishing in the bay and often they have excess mackerel, crab, lobster and scallops that are sold through the kiosk or given away. For more food adventures take a visit to one of the weekly local farmers markets where quality locally produced food is distributed or call in at the local tea shop for a Dorset cream tea.
There are also plenty of local cafes and restaurants within a short drive, or even a walk, from Ringstead. The Kiosk at Ringstead is the closest at the end of the road and serves a variety of dishes including great fish and chips. Oasis cafe at Overcombe is situated right on the beach, has a friendly atmosphere and serves delicious seafood dishes, lunchtime snacks and an à la carte menu in the evening. A mile and a half walk west along the coast path, the Smugglers Inn at Osmington Mills (reputed to date back to the 13th Century) offers walkers a welcome respite with its traditional pub menu. The Sailors Return in East Chaldon has a reputation for fine food where bookings are recommended. The Sunray is also very close at Osmington and is a gastro pub with a focus on food.
Local Activities
There are many opportunities for the active and adventurous within the locality:
Walking
The coast path runs through Ringstead which makes it well positioned for exploring Dorset's World Heritage Coastline. Walks along the cliffs at Ringstead and down White Nothe offer breath-taking views. Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Old Harry's Rocks and Chesil Beach are some of the interesting features nearby to visit by car or foot. Those with an interest in geology or fossils could not be better situated to study the world-renowned cliffs and shores along the whole of the Dorset coast In addition to the coastal paths there are a variety of inland footpaths taking in places such as Hardys Monument, Maiden Castle, Portland Bill, Purbeck peninsula and the Cerne Giant.
Sailing
Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour are widely recognised as the finest sailing waters in the UK. This together with the development of the new purpose built, on-shore facilities have resulted in the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy being selected as the venue for the London 2012 Olympic sailing events.
More information on Sailing in Weymouth and Portland.
Fishing
Ringstead Bay offers a fantastic fishing venue casting either from the beach or a boat. The most common fish on offer are Mackeral and the more challenging Sea Bass. Barbequeing the days catch provides the perfect end to a summer's day on the caravan site.
More information on and tips for Ringstead's fishing from WorldSeaFishing.com
Sea Kayaking
In calm conditions, exploring the Jurrasic Coast by sea kayak is well worth the trip. From Ringstead you can explore the cliffs to the East along to Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and beyond. To the West you can head along to the Smugglers Inn at Osmington Mills or the cafe at Overcombe for a well earned lunch break. If you don't have your own kayak Second Wind offer guided kayak trips from their bases at Overcombe and Lulworth Cove.
More information on sea kayaking.
Windsurfing
Portland Harbour is well known as windsurfing location where many national and international events are staged and will be host to the windsurfing events of the 2012 olympics. It is a safe, shallow and flat water location ideal for beginners and speed enthusiasts alike. Alternatively there are other locations in the area such as Overcombe for great bump and jump sailing, Kimmeridge for waves and Ringstead itself where local advice should be sought to avoid the reef.
More information on windsurfing.
Kite surfing
Portland Harbour with it's shallow waters at low tides is ideal for kitesurfing. So ideal in fact that in 2006 a local kitesurfer beat the windsurfers to take the Weymouth speed record here.
More information on Kitesurfing.
Surfing
Bournemouth, Kimmeridge, Ringstead, Charmouth and Lyme Regis can all provide some exciting surf conditions on the right day. Although there is no good regular surf at Ringstead the local reef breaks can deliver some great waves during and after stormy weather. Access to the other local reefs can be difficult and some lie within live MOD firing ranges where times are controlled. Please check local information before diving in.
Diving and Snorkeling
Weymouth & Portland is one of the best UK diving locations. There are hundreds of wrecks and reefs scattered around the area providing plenty of choice for all levels from the novice to the more advanced diver. There are a range of dives from gentle beach dives to exploring the deeper wrecks from one of Weymouth dive charter vessels. Also Ringstead itself offers several reefs just off the beach suitable for the snorkler to explore.
More information on diving and snorkling.
Rock Climbing
There is plenty of rock climbing around the Dorset coast to keep you entertained if you are that way inclined. Portland has over 900 sport climbs ranging from 4a to 8a whereas Swanage provides a variety of traditional climbs from VS to more committing routes such as Infinite Gravity at E8.
More information on rock climbing.
Paragliding & Hangliding
The hills surrounding Ringstead can provide ideal conditions for paragliding and hangliding with a fabulous view across the bay to Portland and Weymouth.
More information on paragliding in Dorset.
There are many other activities available locally include fishing, horse riding, kite flying, cycling, golf or just swimming off one of "Britain's best beaches" (Timesonline April 10 2005).