Ringstead Downs

{{Short description|Protected area in Norfolk, England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox SSSI

|image= Ringstead Downs - geograph.org.uk - 204286.jpg

|image_caption =

|name= Ringstead Downs

|aos= Norfolk

|interest=Biological

|gridref={{gbmappingsmall|TF 691 400}}

|area= {{convert|6.9|ha|acre|abbr=off}}

|notifydate= 1986

|map=[http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271003747%27 Magic Map]

}}

Ringstead Downs is a {{convert| 6.9 |ha|acre|abbr=off|adj=on}} biological Site of Special Scientific Interest east of Hunstanton in Norfolk, England.{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1003747&SiteName=&countyCode=29&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= |title=Designated Sites View: Ringstead Downs | series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date = 31 May 2018}}{{cite web|url= http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271003747%27|title=Map of Ringstead Downs|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date= 31 May 2018}} It is in the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,{{cite web|url=http://www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/mediaps/pdfuploads/pd001159.pdf|title=Norfolk Coast AONB Management Plan 2014-19: Other Conservation Designations within the AONB|publisher=Norfolk Coast AONB|access-date= 25 May 2018}} and it is the western part of the {{convert| 11 |ha|acre|abbr=off|adj=on}} Ringstead Downs nature reserve, which is managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.{{cite web|url= https://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-in-norfolk/nature-reserves/reserves/ringstead-downs |title= Ringstead Downs |publisher= Norfolk Wildlife Trust |access-date= 21 May 2018}}

It is a dry chalk valley which was carved out by glacial meltwaters. It is species-rich as it has never been ploughed, and it is the largest surviving area of chalk downland surviving in the county. The butterflies are diverse.{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1003747.pdf |title=Ringstead Downs citation|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date= 31 May 2018}}

A footpath between Ringstead and Downs Road in Hunstanton goes through the reserve.