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by Laura Bell / Travel Tips
Weymouth is a town of two halves. On one side you have the grand, pastel coloured Victorian Esplanade that feels like a step back into a more elegant era of seaside holidays.
On the other, across the Town Bridge, is a working fishing harbour where the air smells of salt and the daily catch is landed right at your feet. It is this blend of bucket and spade nostalgia and rugged Jurassic Coast energy that makes it one of the finest coastal towns in the West Country.
For a perfectly nostalgic English seaside holiday, you can ask for no more. We have compiled a list of the very best things to do in Weymouth.
This is the heart of the town. What sets it apart from other South Coast beaches is the unique slope of the sand. You can walk out for nearly 40 metres at low tide, and the water will still only be at your knees. This makes it incredibly safe for families. The sand itself is fine and golden, perfect for the legendary sand modelling tradition that has existed here for over a century. During the summer you will still find the classic donkey rides and the Punch and Judy show, which has been run by the same family for decades.
Local Expert Tip: Most tourists congregate around the Pavilion end due to activities and beach front cafes and restaurants. If you want to avoid being stepped on, walk five minutes east towards Greenhill beach. The sand turns to pebbles but the beach is just as good, and you’ll mix with the locals.
While the main beach is for sandcastles, Greenhill is a pebble and sand mix backed by a quieter promenade and the stunning Greenhill Gardens. This is where the locals go for their morning swims. The water is clear and the backdrop of Victorian beach huts makes it feel like you have stepped into a 1950s film set.
Local Expert Tip: Greenhill beach is a great place to launch a paddleboard or kayak. The water is deeper here so pay attention to the lifeguards and flags on display. Each summer, the rafts are a highlight for the locals to swim out to.
Parking: On street pay and display along the coast road. Main car park options are available as well at Lodmoor Car Park (DT4 7SX) and Beach Car Park (DT3 6HS), however, these fill up quickly in the summer months.
This 18 mile long shingle bank is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a geological marvel. The pebbles are naturally graded by size, larger at Portland and smaller at Abbotsbury. It is a steep, tiring walk up the bank but the view of the Fleet Lagoon on the other side is hauntingly beautiful.
Local Expert Tip: It is a prime spot for sea fishing. If you see locals with rods gathered in one spot, there is a good chance the mackerel are running. This beach does not have an active lifeguard station so swimming here is at your own risk because the undertow is notoriously dangerous.
Tucked away at the far end of the bay, Bowleaze is where the cliffs start to turn into the rolling hills of the Jurassic Coast. It is a bit more rugged and unplugged than the main beach. You will jet skiers launching into the deeper waters further out but overall it’s a safe beach for swimming. With beach bars and ice-cream available, it’s a great spot for a whole day at the beach.
Local Expert Tip: Walk up the hill to the ruins of the Roman Temple at Jordan Hill. It is an easy five minute climb and the view back over the entire sweep of Weymouth Bay is arguably the best photo opportunity in the area.
Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park takes you on a journey both above and below the ocean. Whether you love sharks, turtles, seals clownfish, otters, penguins, octopus or stingrays, there are over 1,000 amazing creatures to be seen in this magical underwater world. If you’re looking for exciting things to do in Weymouth for the whole family, this is for you!
There is a splash zone to cool you off in the summer months that is full of jets and sprays with a pool as well, but beware you will get wet. Take on a new adventure and head to Caribbean Cove which hosts a large outdoor play area for toddlers and children alike. Overall a great day out for all the family with lots to keep everybody busy all day long. It’s also the only SEA LIFE Adventure Park in the UK with half of the Park situated outdoors.
Location: Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park, Lodmoor Country Park, DT4 7SX
Parking: There are short term pay and display council car parks available nearby, or you can use the Weymouth Park and Ride to avoid some of the stress and traffic.
Opening Times: Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park is open from 11 am to 4 pm during off-peak and 10am-5pm during peak. Please check the website before your visit to avoid disappointment.
Sand modelling in Weymouth dates back to the 1920s and Sandworld keeps that tradition alive on a massive scale. International sculptors spend weeks carving intricate scenes from nothing but local sand and water. Because the sand here is angular, it sticks together perfectly, allowing for gravity defying towers and lifelike faces.
Local Expert Tip: The exhibits are all undercover. If the British weather takes a turn, this is your best bet for keeping everyone entertained without getting soaked.
This is not a standard mini golf. Pirate Adventure Mini Golf is an 18 hole journey through pirate territory with surprisingly detailed obstacles and water features. It is located right in the Lodmoor hub, making it easy to tack onto a day at SEA LIFE.
Located at Bowleaze Cove, this is a slice of classic British funfair. It is a mix of an indoor soft play area (great for toddlers) and outdoor rides like the ghost train and flying elephants. It feels a little less corporate than the big parks, which is part of its charm.
Built by the Victorians to protect Portland Harbour, Nothe Fort is one of the best-preserved forts of its kind and is a popular place to visit in Weymouth. You don’t need to be a military enthusiast to enjoy a visit to Nothe Fort, the Fort is a labyrinth of underground passageways and outdoor areas with stunning views of the Jurassic Coast. It is constructed over 3 floors and is filled with displays charting the whole of its history.
Local Expert Tip: Go to the very top deck for the view. You can see right into the high security Portland Harbour where the Royal Navy used to dock. It is the best vantage point for watching the local sailing regattas.
Commissioned by Henry VIII, this artillery fort is one of the best preserved of its kind. It was designed to survive heavy bombardment. You can stand on the platforms where the cannons once stood and look across at its twin, Sandsfoot Castle.
While Portland Castle was kept in good repair, Sandsfoot was allowed to fall into ruin. This makes it a more atmospheric place to visit today. It sits in a quiet residential corner of Weymouth, overlooking Portland Harbour surrounded by beautiful Tudor style gardens.
Local tip: Take a bike ride along the Rodwell Trail and stop off at Sandsfoot Café (located in the castle grounds), for an ice-cream or bacon sandwich.
This museum is a deep dive into the town’s evolution. From the Black Death to the D-Day landings, it is a fascinating look at how this little town has been at the centre of major world events.
This is one of the few buildings that survived the Civil War siege of Weymouth. It is a 17th century merchant’s house that has been perfectly preserved. Walking through the narrow, creaky rooms gives you a genuine sense of how the town felt 400 years ago.
While Radipole is about the reeds, Lodmoor is about the salt marshes. It is a larger, more open reserve that attracts huge numbers of migratory birds. It is a great place for a long, flat walk.
This is a 2 mile green pathway that follows the old railway line from Weymouth to Portland. It is flat, paved, and shielded from the wind by trees. It is the locals’ favourite spot for a run, dog walk or a bike ride.
The Bill is the southern tip of the Isle of Portland where the currents of the English Channel meet the land in a violent surge known as the Portland Race. Climbing the lighthouse is a workout but the view of the coastline is unparalleled. The clifftop walks are amazing to watch the waves crash. You can keep a safe (and warm) distance at The Lobster Pot, a cafe that is renowned for its crab sandwiches and cream teas.
Local Expert Tip: Walk five minutes toward the West Lighthouse to see Pulpit Rock. It is a massive block of stone left by quarrymen that looks like a Bible leaning on a pulpit. It is a local tradition to scramble up for a photo.
Managed by the RSPB, Radipole Lake is a sanctuary for bearded tits, kingfishers, and even otters. The boardwalks take you right into the heart of the reed beds and it is remarkably quiet once you get away from the road.
Local Expert Tip: Even if you are not a birder, go to the visitor centre and ask what has been spotted that morning. The staff will often point out things you would never notice on your own.
This beautiful visitor attraction in Weymouth contains 8 acres of gorgeous gardens. Home to the most outstanding display of water lilies in Britain and a beautiful Monet Bridge.
Grass pathways will lead you past ponds and lakes, exotic plants and an abundance of wildlife. Bennetts Water Gardens are one of the more peaceful and tranquil things to do in Weymouth.
Location: Putton Lane, Chickerell, Weymouth DT3 4AF
Parking: There is on-site parking at the Gardens.
Opening Times: The Gardens are open to the public from March to September between 10 am – 4 pm. Please see their website for more information.
It is the shortest boat trip in the world but it is a Weymouth essential. For a couple of pounds, a local boatman will row you across the harbour from the Pavilion side to the Old Rooms side. It saves you a 15 minute walk.
You will see the boards all along the harbour wall. These 1 or 2 hour trips are perfect for beginners. The skippers are local characters who know these waters like the back of their hands.
Local Expert Tip: If you catch something you can take it home for the freshest BBQ you will ever have.
You do not have to be an Olympian to sail here. This is a world class facility that offers Try Sailing days. The waters of Portland Harbour are uniquely flat and wind consistent.
Founded by monks in the 11th century, this is the only place in the world where you can walk through a colony of nesting Mute Swans. In May and June you will see hundreds of fluffy cygnets hatching right at your feet.
The harbour is the social hub of the town. We recommend grabbing a seat outside at a place like The Red Lion or The Old Rooms Inn. Watching the bridge lift while you have a local Dorset ale is the quintessential Weymouth experience.
Local Expert Tip: For the best fish and chips in town, the locals go to The Marlboro or Bennetts. Sit on the harbour wall to eat but keep your eyes on the sky because the seagulls here are tactical geniuses when it comes to stealing chips.
Because of a unique microclimate in this corner of Dorset, these gardens can grow exotic plants that would not survive anywhere else in England. The Colonial Style tearoom is one of the best spots for a traditional Dorset Cream Tea.
Dedicated to Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, this 72 foot tower sits on the highest point in the area. It is a bit of a drive out of town but the walk across the heathland is spectacular. On a clear day you can see all the way to Portland.
Enjoy all of the attractions and things to do in Weymouth and stay in one of these Weymouth holiday cottages. With over 200 self-catering cottages to choose from, we have the perfect place for you to enjoy a Dorset adventure.
Bring along all your loved ones and stay in one of our family-friendly properties. Or, choose from luxury apartments for a romantic getaway, a cosy terrace house with a sea view or stay in one of our dog-friendly cottages.
What is Weymouth best known for? Beyond its 2012 Olympic legacy, it is famous for its award winning sandy beach and its 17th century harbour. It was also the favourite summer getaway of King George III.
Is Weymouth worth visiting? Absolutely. Unlike many seaside towns that shut down in winter, Weymouth has a year-round community and enough history and nature to keep you busy regardless of the weather.
What can you do in Weymouth for free? The main beach, the Rodwell Trail, Radipole Lake, and the ruins of Sandsfoot Castle are all free. Exploring the Jurassic Coast paths on Portland is also a world class experience that will not cost you a penny.
Is Weymouth good for families? Weymouth is a top family destination with attractions between Lodmoor and the harbour. Choose Lodmoor for Sea Life and SandWorld, or Radipole lake for the sandy beach and town centre.
What is the best time to visit Weymouth? June is our favourite month. The weather is usually settled, the cygnets at Abbotsbury have just hatched, and the peak school holiday crowds have not arrived yet.
by Laura Bell / Travel Tips
Hi I'm Laura Bell and I love staycations! I'm a marketing executive for our South brands and have enjoyed 3 years of writing. I en...
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