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Lulworth Cove, Jurassic Coast

When visiting Dorset, you’ll be spoilt for choice finding the best beaches near Weymouth.

In an area of outstanding natural beauty, it’s difficult to choose which beaches to visit in Dorset.

There are so many options for beaches near Weymouth. From family days out, walking your dog and romantic “off the beaten track” beaches for couples – there’s a beach for everyone.

Discover your favourite beach in Weymouth with Dream Cottages…


Keep reading to find out our favourite beaches from Dorset’s only tidal pool, a naturist beach and award-winning sands.

Best beaches near Weymouth

  1. Weymouth Beach
  2. Chesil Beach
  3. Swanage Beach
  4. Worbarrow Bay
  5. Lulworth Cove
  6. Durdle Door
  7. Castle Cove
  8. Bowleaze Cove
  9. Ringstead Bay
  10. Church Ope Cove
  11. West Bay Beach
  12. Studland Naturist Beach
  13. Hive Beach
  14. Kimmeridge Bay
  15. Dancing Ledge
  16. Knoll Beach
  17. Newtons Cove

1. Weymouth Beach

Weymouth Beach in the Summer

Right on the doorstep we have Weymouth Beach, an award-winning beach.

With its Victorian seafront, cafes and kiosks surrounding the golden sands, it’s the second most popular beach in Dorset.

You’ll find donkey rides, buckets and spaces and ice-creams aplenty on Weymouth beach.

Dogs are allowed towards the pavilion end of Weymouth beach April-October. Outside of these times, they can have the run of the entire beach.

Weymouth Beach also has a free beach wheelchair to hire and matting extending to the shoreline.

During summer, Weymouth Beach is a lifeguarded beach.

Check out the tide times at Weymouth Beach.


2. Chesil Beach

Arguably the most famous, Chesil Beach stretches from Portland through to West Bay.

Chesil is great if you’re not a fan of sand with pebbles making up the magnificent beach. Furthermore, If you’re lucky you might also see some local wildlife.

However, beware of strong currents if you’re taking a dip.

Into the evening, grab a pint from the Cove House Inn and watch the sun set on another glorious day.

Find out more about this unique beach with our blog: Your Guide to Chesil Beach.


3. Swanage Beach

When visiting Dorset, Swanage Beach is perfect for families. Its calm and clean waters sit in the heart of the town.

You can even hire a beach hut to have as your base for the day.

You’ll also find lots of places for ice-creams, snacks and drinks surrounding Swanage Beach. For more inspiration on Swanage eateries, read our blog: 11 of the Best restaurants in Swanage.


4. Worbarrow Bay

Worbarrow Bay is one of the best beaches near Weymouth known for its secrecy.

Adjoining the beach is the ghost town of Tyneham and the Lulworth Firing Ranges. Therefore, access to this beach is restricted at certain times.

What’s more, this beach is perfect for hikers, walkers and bird watches.


5. Lulworth Cove

The sheltered bay of Lulworth Cove is great for sea swimming.

Take a stroll from the car park through the visitor centre and you’ll pass various cafes and restaurants, on the way down to the cove.


6. Durdle Door

Durdle Door is one of Dorset’s well-known landmarks. It’s one of the best beaches near Weymouth known for its magnificent sea arch.

Beware, it’s a steep incline walk down to the beach down wooden steps but the view is incredible.

Due to the accessibility, Durdle Door is not recommended for pushchairs and young families.

There is also a connecting hill walk down to Lulworth Cove so you can visit both in one day.


7. Castle Cove

Castle Cove Beach is a privately owned beach off Old Castle Road in Weymouth. It’s incredibly popular with locals as it’s mainly undiscovered by tourists.

It’s a beautiful sandy beach which overlooks Portland Harbour and is accessible by steps.

This beach is perfect for hermit crab spotting and paddling for children.


8. Bowleaze Cove

Situated in the east of Weymouth Bay, Bowleaze Cove is a great beach to visit if you like a stony beach.

With ice-creams, delicious snacks and lunches available from the Sunset Bar, you could be in Ibiza on a hot day as the music plays over the beach.

As a result, Bowleaze Cove is a great beach for launching your paddleboard or kayak.

Dogs are allowed on Bowleaze Cove up towards Oasis Café and there’s even a freshwater river that feeds into the sea to refresh man’s best friend.


9. Ringstead Bay

If you’re looking for a rock pooling adventure, Ringstead Bay near Osmington is a great beach for this.

With grassy banks and clear bathing water, this beach is perfect for a picnic or kite flying.


10. Church Ope Cove

Church Ope Cove is located on the Isle of Portland near to Portland Bill.

It’s wildly undiscovered and another amazing gem near Weymouth.

To access this beach, you will need to venture through the pirate’s graveyard or by the ruins of Rufus Castle down the steep steps.

Consequently, there are no facilities on this beach so make sure you bring a picnic!


11. West Bay Beach

West Bay Beach

West Bay has two beaches, East Beach and West Beach.

With golden cliffs you might recognise from the ITV series Broadchurch, East Beach is the most popular with tourists.

West Beach is the other side of the famous West Bay Harbour and more popular with locals.

Both beaches are surrounded by kiosks for food, drinks and snacks. In the summer months this is a lifeguarded beach.

Why not take a look through these West Bay cottages for inspiration.


12. Studland Naturist Beach

Around 1km of Knoll Beach at Studland is one also of the UK’s most well-known naturist spots.

There’s a refreshment van and toilets nearby and the area is clearly signposted.

The calm and clear waters are a delight to bathe in with views of Old Harry Rocks in the distance.


13. Hive Beach

Hive Beach

Hive Beach is a 20-minute drive from Weymouth and is accessible by car and bus.

Located off the coast road, the Hive Beach café is a fantastic place on the beach for lunch by the sea.

This shelved shingle part of Chesil Beach is deep so great for swimming, however, beware of the current and shore breaks.

With a car park just metres behind, it’s one of the best beaches near Weymouth for accessibility.


14. Kimmeridge Bay

Windsurfers at Kimmeridge Bay on a stormy day

If you’re looking for a snorkelling adventure, Kimmeridge is one of the best beaches near Weymouth to visit.

The snorkel trail is open from May – September with masks and guides available from the Wild Seas Visitor Centre.

Kimmeridge Bay is also an amazing beach near to Weymouth for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.


15. Dancing Ledge

Although not technically a beach, Dancing Ledge is an adventurous climb for scramblers.

As Dorset’s only tidal pool, it’s a magical place for a dip.

It’s also home to Dorset’s only colony of puffins too!


16. Knoll Beach

Beachgoers on Knoll Beach

Knoll Beach at Studland Bay is a National Trust owned beach.

The waters are incredibly sheltered making it perfect for paddle boarding, swimming, kayaking, sailing and diving.

The sandy dunes make up the beach and it’s a very popular beach to visit.

Discover these cottages in Studland for your next Dorset holiday.


17. Newton’s Cove

Newton’s Cove is one of the best beaches in Weymouth for rock pooling. Twice a day rockpools are revealed with treasures of the sea.

It’s a very popular wild swimming spot and you can often spot a seal enjoying some mackerel!

Situated at the bottom of the Nothe Gardens, it’s a great day out but once the tide comes in there’s limited space.


There are so many beaches near Weymouth. From Weymouth Beach and beyond, there’s only a 20 minute drive to most of our recommendations.

For the best places to stay, Dream Cottages has over 350 properties peppered throughout Dorset.

We would however suggest staying in Weymouth as your base for exploring these wonderful beaches.

Book your Weymouth Cottage and start planning your visit to the best beaches near Weymouth today.