Summary
The stunning harbour town of Weymouth was among England’s earliest modern resorts.
Chosen by King George III as his summer retreat, he visited this location 14 times between 1789 and 1805. Weymouth enjoys one of the sunniest climates in the country and boasts one of its finest beaches, bordered by an esplanade featuring a long line of Georgian townhouses.
The harbour is equally appealing with its colorfully painted houses, gaslights, and lively quays.
Nearby, the Isle of Portland provides the solemn white-grey limestone used for numerous renowned monuments across the globe, from St Paul’s Cathedral to the United Nations Building.
Let us delve into the top attractions in Weymouth:
1. Weymouth Harbour
Gazing upon the painted houses and restaurant terraces of Weymouth Harbour in the sunshine might lead one to believe they are in a different country.
However, these flat-fronted buildings with bay windows are indisputably Georgian.
You can leisurely stroll along the harbour, observing the boats navigating the busy waterway while browsing the quaint shops.
Cafes, pubs, tea rooms, and fish and chip outlets all compete for your patronage.
You will also find establishments offering crabbing lines and bait, providing an opportunity to catch your own from the quays in summer.
Every two hours, 363 days a year, the Weymouth Town Bridge opens to accommodate water traffic.
2. Weymouth Beach
Extending three miles, Weymouth Beach is a broad expanse of fine golden sand, lined by the Esplanade and elegant Georgian terraces.
A frequent recipient of the Blue Flag award, this beach ranks among the best in England.
Such acclaim is attributed to its gentle surf and captivating views eastward along the Jurassic Coast, stretching to the White Nothe cliffs and Durdle Door.
Moreover, the sand’s quality allows for the creation of impressive sandcastles, accommodating the creativity of children.
All classic amusements expected at an English beach can be found here, including donkey rides, “Punch and Judy” puppet shows, trampolines, and fairground attractions for children.
3. Nothe Fort
This coastal defense, known as a “Royal Commission Fort,” was constructed from the 1860s to safeguard Weymouth Harbour, which had recently been designated as a naval base.
Nothe Fort stands as one of the best preserved among a series of defenses along the southern coast, anticipating an invasion by the Second French Empire.
Its preservation can be attributed in part to Weymouth’s significant military role during the Second World War, when both the Royal and American navies operated from this harbour.
Many attractions await at this D-shaped fortification, including breathtaking views from the parapet and ramparts, the casemates, and the intricate underground passages connecting various chambers and armaments.
The exhibitions within showcase details about Weymouth’s history, featuring uniforms, weaponry, equipment, and vehicles from the Second World War.
4. Chesil Beach
West of Weymouth lies an extensive barrier beach, Chesil Beach, measuring 18 miles in length and connecting Portland to Dorset’s mainland.
This beach is bordered by The Fleet, Europe’s largest tidal lagoon, stretching from Portland to the village of Abbotsbury.
In certain areas, the beach broadens to 100 metres in width, with piled flint, chert, and quartzite pebbles, making it challenging to traverse.
In contrast to the sheltered Weymouth Beach, Chesil Beach is open to the elements, featuring tumultuous waves that are unsuitable for swimming but provide a dramatic landscape for a stroll year-round.
5. Greenhill Gardens
The northeastern suburb of Greenhill features an exquisite array of gardens, characterized by winding paths, vibrant borders, well-kept lawns, and leisure amenities.
Greenhill Gardens, an award-winning location, was formerly part of the Wilton Estate before it was transferred to the town in 1902. The gardens host two cafes, the Pebbles Cafe and Greenhill Beach Cafe, a wishing well, a floral clock, and various imaginative floral displays throughout the summer.
Visitors can enjoy a round of 18-hole mini-golf or simply relax on a bench with a cup of tea, taking in views of the bay.
6. Jurassic Skyline
Located at the northern end of Weymouth Pier, Jurassic Skyline is an observation tower that elevates visitors to a height of 53 metres.
Since its inauguration in 2012, the circular gondola offers two rotations, providing 360-degree views of the town, the English Channel, the harbour, the beach, and the distant Jurassic Coast, which includes landmarks like Portland, Lulworth Cove, and Durdle Door, weather permitting.
7. Portland Castle
A coastal artillery fort, Portland Castle was commissioned in the early 1540s by Henry VIII as part of his King’s Device initiative aimed at safeguarding England’s south coast from potential invasions by France or the Holy Roman Empire.
Your guided tour includes an audioguide that narrates the historical context during the fort’s construction and delves into the purpose of each chamber.
Insights into the four-month siege during the English Civil War, efforts to combat piracy in the 18th century, and the fort’s use for ordnance storage during the Second World War are also shared.
The fort is still equipped with cannons, and visitors are treated to unparalleled views of Weymouth Harbour from the parapet.
8. Portland Plateau
Hikers traversing the South West Coast Path pass through Weymouth on a 630-mile journey commencing in Minehead, Somerset and concluding at Poole Harbour, located east of Weymouth.
A stretch of this trail may be explored on Portland, an intriguing location for walking expeditions.
This pathway meanders along former quarry tracks leading into a steep man-made landscape of gullies and terraces, shaped by the centuries of limestone extraction, which is now adorned with grass.
Additionally, the route provides opportunities for detours into the Tout Quarry Nature Reserve and Sculpture Park, the King Quarry Nature Reserve, and visits to the gun emplacements at the historic Verne High Angle Battery.
9. Portland Bill Lighthouse
Extending into the English Channel, Portland Bill, located at the southern end of the island, has served as a landmark for navigation for vessels for many years.
The current lighthouse, constructed in 1906, replaced two earlier structures dating back to 1716. The tower rises to 41 metres and boasts a range of 25 nautical miles, with an intensity of 635,000 candela.
The visitor centre, housed in the renovated quarters of the former keeper, provides insights into the history of the lighthouse and displays a historical lens.
Visitors can also ascend the 153 steps to the lantern room for spectacular views of the Channel and to observe the current catadioptric Fresnel lens.
10. Sandsfoot Castle
An enigmatic ruin is situated on the cliff facing Portland.
Sandsfoot Castle is the remnant of a “Blockhouse,” dating to the 16th century, part of a Tudor coastal defense system alongside Portland Castle.
Decommissioned in 1665, this structure began to deteriorate as its Portland stone was repurposed in other constructions and the underlying cliffs eroded.
In the early 2010s, the site was made accessible for visitors with a raised wooden walkway, enabling inspection of its ashlar stonework, window openings, and doorways while enjoying views of Weymouth Bay.
Beyond the earthworks lies a formal Tudor garden, planted in 1951, offering framed views featuring Portland, the bay, and the castle.
11. RSPB Radipole Lake Reserve
Few towns feature an RSPB nature reserve within their vicinity; however, Radipole Lake is situated on the River Wey before it flows into the harbour.
The lake encompasses a family-friendly discovery center within a thatched cottage, offering insights into bird species that can be observed from the wooden boardwalks through the wetlands.
Common observations include bearded tits, kingfishers, Cetti’s warblers, marsh harriers, kestrels, shags, and little egrets. The center also organizes nature-spotting excursions during spring and summer, equipping participants with binoculars.
12. Abbotsbury Swannery
Located a few miles along Chesil Beach, the village of Abbotsbury is home to the world’s only managed colony of nesting mute swans.
This site, found on the Fleet Lagoon, has roots dating back to at least 1393 and is believed to have been originally established by Benedictine monks as early as the 1000s.
The Swannery is host to over 600 swans, all nestling here by choice.
From May to August, visitors enjoy the added delight of observing fluffy cygnets, with numerous attractions for children, including the Giant Swan Maze, willow eggs and tunnels, a playground, pedal go-karts, and more.
A visit to the Swannery can easily be paired with excursions to Abbotsbury’s Subtropical Gardens and Children’s Farm.
13. Fossil Hunting
Weymouth is situated at the heart of the Jurassic Coast; although Lyme Regis and Charmouth are renowned for their fossil hunting, several excellent sites exist for unearthing 185-million-year-old marine creatures.
The thrill of discovering a fossil adds to the experience, as one may uncover an ammonite, a tooth from a Jurassic shark, or shards from an Ichthyosaurus while exploring the beaches around Weymouth and Portland.
On Portland, notable locations include the old Kingbarrow Quarry and the quarry foreshore on Freshwater Bay.
Even more promising are the cliffs at Langton Herring, located behind Chesil Beach, which yield an array of corals, worm tubes, brachiopods, oysters, and echinoids.
For the best results, visit Redcliff Point at the northern edge of Weymouth Bay, a prime location for collecting ammonites and large oyster shells.
14. Sandworld Sculpture Park
Weymouth Beach features exceptionally soft, powdery sand ideal for sculpting.
This aspiration has been realized by local entrepreneurs Mark Anderson and David Hicks at Sandworld, situated in a pavilion on the esplanade adjacent to the Sea Life Adventure Park.
The attraction, which opened its doors in 2011, presents a new thematic concept each year.
In 2018, the focus was on TV and Film, with sculptures depicting beloved characters from Game of Thrones, Star Wars, The Jungle Book, and Marvel Cinematic Universe productions.
