Family Walk from Ringstead Bay to White Nothe (Dorset Jurassic Coast Adventure)

A family-friendly Jurassic Coast walk from Ringstead Bay car park to White Nothe and back along the beach. Roughly 3–4 miles with steep sections, stunning views, and perfect for adventurous kids.

If you’re looking for a proper little Jurassic Coast adventure that feels exciting for children (and delivers huge views for the grown-ups), this walk from Ringstead Bay National Trust car park down to White Nothe, across the beach and back up is a brilliant one.

We did it on a crisp, clear winter’s day with our 8 and 5 year olds, and it felt like the perfect distance for young explorers - as long as they’re confident walkers, because the descent is steep and the terrain can be a little wild in places.

Quick Walk Overview (Family-Friendly Route)

• Start/Finish: Ringstead Bay National Trust car park (South Down)
• Distance: roughly 3–4 miles (4.8–6.4km) depending on the exact route you take (and how much you explore on the beach!)
• Time: Allow 2–2.5 hours, longer with kids/snack stops
• Difficulty: Moderate (mainly due to steep hill + uneven beach sections)
• Best for: Confident walkers, adventurous families, older toddlers and school-age children
• Pushchairs: Not suitable
  While some guides list the clifftop route to White Nothe and back at around 2.75-4 miles, your full loop including the beach section back to Ringstead will usually land closer to the 3-4 mile mark.

Why This Walk is a Winter Winner

We honestly couldn’t have picked a better day: blue skies, crisp air, sunshine and that magical quietness you only really get on the coast in winter.

The views are absolutely unreal the entire way. From the clifftops you can see:

• sweeping coastline across Ringstead Bay

• cliffs curling away toward Durdle Door

• and on a clear day, all the way out toward the Isle of Portland 

It feels a bit like stepping into a David Attenborough documentary - only with more snacks and occasional “Muuuuuummy!” echoing across the cliffs.

Parking & Useful Info (National Trust)

We parked at the National Trust Ringstead Bay car park, which is right up on the hill with a viewpoint that’s worth the drive alone.

Parking charges (free for national trust members by scanning your QR code at the pay machine)

• £1.50 for 1 hour

• £3.00 for 2 hours

• £4.50 for 3 hours

• £6.00 all day

Good to know:

• No overnight parking / camping permitted National Trust

• Dogs welcome (but check signs / keep on lead around livestock) National Trust

The Walk: Ringstead Bay Car Park to White Nothe

From the car park, you’ll follow the path east toward White Nothe.

This first section feels deceptively gentle…until you reach the part where it drops steeply. You walk through the farm track past a few barns - the kids said it looked like we were walking the end of the earth as all you could see what the green fields and the sky!

Steep Descent = Big Adventure

The descent down toward White Nothe is very steep, and our two found it incredibly exciting - like a proper mini expedition.

Top tip for families:

• If it’s wet or muddy, take it slowly

• Little legs may need help or hand-holding (ours found some ideal walking sticks en route which they found very helpful)

• Good shoes or grippy wellies are essential (trainers aren’t ideal if it’s slippery)

Down on the Beach: Don’t Get Lost in the Bracken!

Once you get down toward the beach, the path can feel a little confusing - and you could easily wander into bracken and lose your bearings.

Our best tip: Stay close to the coast edge and keep following the line of the cliff - the route becomes clearer again.

Beach Walk Back to Ringstead Bay (Tide Dependent)

This is the part that made the whole walk feel like a real adventure.

Because the tide was right, we were able to walk along the rocks and beach back toward Ringstead Bay - and the kids absolutely loved it.

Expect:

• rock hopping 

• pebble collecting

• exploring rock pools

• and lots of “Look what I found!”

Little Kid Highlight: Nature Craft Boats

The children spent ages making “sailing boats” out of feathers for sails and cuttle fish bones.

Snack Stop with a View

Because it was such a sunny winter’s day, we sat on the beatiful Ringstead Bay which was sheltered by the cliffs and had a snack while soaking up the sunshine. My eldest even had a paddle in the sea!

Honestly - one of those moments where you think:
“We are so lucky to have this on our doorstep.”

The Final Challenge: Back Up the Hill!

After the beach section, you’ll head back up the hill toward the car park.

This climb is the “big finish” - and after rock hopping and exploring, it can feel tough for little legs.

Tips for getting kids up the hill:

• Bring a high-energy snack for motivation

• Give them mini “targets” (walk to that gate / that post / that tree)

• Let them lead - it makes it feel like their adventure (our 5 year old liked to be "the mountain leader"

• Bribery in the form of a hot chocolate afterwards is totally acceptable

What Makes This Walk So Special?

• It feels adventurous (without being too long)
• Big Jurassic Coast views the whole way
• Kids get beach exploring + cliff paths
• Perfect for winter sunshine days

And White Nothe itself is such a striking landmark - a chalk headland along the Jurassic Coast with panoramic views and a real “end of the world” feel. 

What to Pack (Especially with Kids)

• Sturdy walking shoes or wellies

• Layers (it can be cold on the cliffs)

• Gloves and hats in winter

• Snacks + water

• Small towel (for hands after rock pooling! or sea dipping when it's warmer)

• A spare pair of socks (just trust me)

Safety Notes (Worth Mentioning!)

• The beach return is tide-dependent - check tide times before you go

• Avoid cliff edges and keep children close - the descents are very steep

• Rocks can be slippery

• Pathfinding can be tricky at the bottom - stay close to the coast

FAQs

Is the Ringstead Bay to White Nothe walk suitable for kids?
Yes - if your children are confident walkers. The distance is manageable (around 3–4 miles), but the steep descent and uneven terrain make it better for adventurous kids.

How long is the walk from Ringstead Bay car park to White Nothe?
Out and back is usually around 2.75-4 miles, depending on route choice, but adding the beach return makes the full loop closer to 3-4 miles. 

Do you need to pay for parking at Ringstead Bay?
Yes - the National Trust car park charges up to £6 for all-day parking.