Ringstead Bay

Steep cliffs drop dramatically to a crescent of golden shingle, where fishing boats still haul up on the beach much as they've done for centuries. Ringstead Bay sits on one of Dorset's most spectacular stretches of Jurassic Coast, about eight miles east of Dorchester, and the walk down from the clifftop car park takes a good 15 minutes through National Trust farmland.

Families with young children might find the descent a bit much - it's properly steep and the shingle beach isn't the easiest for little legs. But walkers and coast path enthusiasts will love it here. The views back towards Weymouth and Portland are absolutely cracking, particularly in late afternoon light when the white cliffs glow.

There's no cafe or facilities at the bottom, so bring everything you need. The beach itself is fairly small and gets busy on summer weekends, though it never feels overcrowded like some Dorset spots. Swimming is possible but watch the currents - this is proper open coast.

From nearby holiday parks like Haven Weymouth Bay or Warmwell, it makes a lovely half-day trip, especially combined with a longer coastal walk. The climb back up is definitely harder than going down, so allow plenty of time and energy for the return journey.