Great British Dog Walks

Walk distance: 3 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Pub stop: The very dog friendly The Smugglers Inn at Osmington Mills

Starting point: Ringstead Bay car park DT2 8NG- £5 for the day

Download the route map here.

Ringstead Bay is another extremely scenic part of the South West Coast Path. This walk goes inland a little, stopping half way at the highly recommended the Smugglers Inn, which is really dog friendly and has a fantastic beer garden.

To start the walk, head out of the car park at Ringstead Bay and go back up the road you drove down. When you reach the end of the woods, look out for a footpath sign on the left and follow it down the edge of the wood.

Keep following this path, ignoring the others that go off to the left, until you reach a stream. Take the path that bears right, and head north through the woods, keeping to the right of the stream. The path will pass a chain of ponds, and climb through the woods.

Eventually you will reach a field at the top- follow this down keeping to the right near the hedge. Drop steeply down the hill until you reach the corner of the field. Go through a gate, to the road, and go back on yourself down the track signposted Upton Glen.

Follow the road up until you reach a stile- continue along the road staying close to the hedge. Eventually you will come out opposite some holiday chalets- take the path through the holiday park carrying on down until you reach a field.

Follow the path until you reach the back of the Smugglers Inn, on the right.

When you have refreshed, go back to the path you were on in the field. Follow this over the stile at the top of the slope and pick up the South West Coast Path, following it along the cliff towards Ringstead.

Keep on the path until you see a signpost left for Ringstead. This will bring you back to the car park.