One of England’s earliest modern resorts was the lovely port city of Weymouth.
Between 1789 and 1805, King George III visited 14 times and made it his summer vacation spot. Weymouth, which is bordered by an esplanade lined with a long row of Georgian mansions, boasts one of the sunniest climates and nicest beaches in the nation.
The harbour is especially delightful because of the painted homes, gaslights, and busy quays.
The sombre white-grey limestone utilised for a plethora of well-known structures across the world, from St Paul’s Cathedral to the United Nations Building, comes from the nearby Isle of Portland.
Let’s investigate the top Weymouth attractions:
Weymouth Harbour 1
You could be excused for thinking you were in another country if you squinted at the Weymouth Harbour’s brightly painted homes and restaurant terraces.
The flat-fronted structures with bay windows, however, are unmistakably Georgian.
You may stroll about at your leisure, looking at the passing boats on the bustling river and exploring the little businesses.
cafés, bars, tea rooms, fish & chip restaurants, and cafés are all fighting for your patronage.
Additionally, you may purchase crabbing lines and bait from stores or, during the summer, try catching your own from the quays.
The Weymouth Town Bridge cranks open to allow passage of water traffic every two hours, 363 days a year.
- The Weymouth Beach
Weymouth Beach is a three-mile stretch of broad, fine, golden sand that is bordered by the Esplanade, which is lined with attractive Georgian terraces.
The beach is considered to be one of the greatest in England and wins the Blue Flag award each year.
That has a lot to do with the gentle surf and breathtaking vistas of the Jurassic Coast to the east, all the way to the White Nothe cliffs and Durdle Door.
The sand, however, has another quality in that it adheres flawlessly, allowing kids to construct sandcastles that are only limited by their creativity.
Donkey rides, “Punch and Judy” puppet performances, trampolines, and kid-friendly fairground attractions are all typical beachside amusements in England.
Third Nothe Fort
One of the most popular Weymouth things to do is Weymouth Harbour, which had just become a naval station, needed protection, so a “Royal Commission Fort” was constructed starting in the 1860s.
The Second French Empire built a line of defences along the southern shore, with Nothe Fort being one of the finest maintained.
Weymouth had a crucial military role in the Second World War when the Royal and American fleets established a base there, which is one reason it has endured so well.
At this D-shaped building, there are many interesting things to see, including the breathtaking view from the parapet and ramparts, the casemates, and the winding underground corridors between the magazines and weapons.
Exhibitions regarding Weymouth’s history, as well as Second World War costumes, weapons, gear, and vehicles, are shown throughout the several halls.
Chesil Beach, fourth
A massive barrier beach is located west of Weymouth: Chesil Beach is an 18-mile stretch of shingle beach that extends all the way down to connect Portland to Dorset’s peninsula.
Europe’s biggest tidal lagoon, The Fleet, borders the shoreline between Portland and the settlement of Abbotsbury.
The beach may be up to 100 metres wide in certain spots, but because the flint, chert, and quartzite stones are piled high, walking on it can be challenging.
Unlike the sheltered Weymouth Beach, Chesil Beach is open to the weather and features breaking waves that are unsafe for swimming but provide an enthralling setting for a stroll during any season.
Fifth, Greenhill Gardens
Greenhill, a neighbourhood in the northeast, features a beautiful series of gardens along the shoreline, complete with winding walkways, floral borders, beautifully mowed lawns, and recreational amenities.
Prior to being given to the town in 1902, the Wilton Estate owned the Greenhill Gardens, which have since received the renowned Green Flag accreditation. A wishing well, a floral clock, two cafes—the Pebbles Cafe and the Greenhill Beach Cafe—many creative flower displays in the summer, a floral clock, and more can all be found there.
The 18-hole putting green is open for play, or you can just sit on a seat with a cup of tea and take in the view of the harbour.
Jurassic Skyline
A 53-meter observation tower is located at the northernmost point of Weymouth Pier.
With a circular gondola that rotates twice and offers 360-degree views of the town, English Channel, harbour, beach, and out along the Jurassic Coast to famous sites including Portland, Lulworth Cove, and Durdle Door, Jurassic Skyline debuted in 2012 and is weather depending.
Portland Castle 7.
Henry VIII commissioned Portland Castle, a coastal artillery fort, in the beginning of the 1540s as part of his King’s Device scheme to defend England’s south coast from an attack by France or the Holy Roman Empire.
During your tour, you’ll have an audioguide with you that will describe the function of each chamber as well as the climate during the time the fort was erected.
You’ll learn about the fort’s four-month siege during the English Civil War, the attempts made to thwart pirates in the 18th century, and how it was used to store weaponry during the Second World War.
The battery is still equipped with cannons, and the view of Weymouth Harbour from the parapet is unmatched.
Portland Plateau 8.
The 630-mile South West Coast Path travels through Weymouth on its way from Minehead, Somerset, to Poole Harbour, which is located not far from Weymouth.
You may walk a section of the Portland path, which is a very fascinating site to do so.
A steep man-made environment of gullies, terraces, and hillocks, all created by quarrying for the island’s famed limestone, is reached via the walk through ancient quarry tracks. After decades of inactivity, the man-made landscape is now covered with grass.
You may also take side trips to the Tout Quarry Nature Reserve and Sculpture Park, the King Quarry Nature Reserve, and the 19th-century Verne High Angle Battery to observe the gun emplacements.
Portland Bill Lighthouse 9.
Portland Bill, which projects into the English Channel and is located at the southernmost point of the island, has long served as a maritime landmark.
The most recent lighthouse at this location was built in 1906 and replaced two that had been there since 1716. With a range of 25 nautical miles and an intensity of 635,000 candela, the tower is 41 metres high.
Recently renovated, the tourist centre in the former keeper’s quarters at the base now provides information on the history of the structure and displays a previous lens.
The 153 stairs to the lantern room may also be climbed for a stunning view over the Channel and to observe the contemporary catadioptric Fresnel lens.
- Sandsfoot Palace
On the cliff that faces Portland, there is a fascinating ruin.
In the same Tudor system of coastal forts as Portland Castle, Sandsfoot Castle is the remnant of a “Blockhouse” from the 16th century.
As its Portland stone was utilised for other structures and the cliffs below broke way, it started to fall apart after being deactivated in 1665.
A elevated wooden boardwalk was installed at the site at the beginning of the 2010s to make it safe for tourists. This allows you to examine the ashlar masonry, window apertures, and entrances as well as have a view of the Weymouth Bay anchorage.
A formal Tudor garden with views of Portland, the sea, and the castle is located beyond the earthworks. It was established in 1951.
RSPCA Radipole Lake Reserve
You won’t find an RSPB nature reserve in many towns, but the River Wey has one just before it reaches the port.
You may learn what birds you could observe from the wooden walks across the marshes at Radipole Lake’s family-friendly exploration centre, which is housed in a thatched hut.
Bearded tits, kingfishers, Cetti’s warblers, marsh harriers, kestrels, shags, and tiny egrets are frequently spotted there. The centre also plans nature-spotting hikes throughout the spring and summer and will lend you binoculars.
Twelve. Abbotsbury Swannery
The community of Abbotsbury, which lies a few miles along Chesil Beach, is home to the only controlled colony of mute swans that nest.
On the Fleet Lagoon, at a location that, at the latest, dates to 1393, is where you may find this.
It is believed that Benedictine monks founded the Swannery in the early 1000s.
Approximately 600 swans are breeding at the Swannery on purpose.
There are lots of activities for kids to enjoy, like the Giant Swan Maze, the willow eggs and tunnel, a playground, pedal go-karts, and more. From May to August, you have the added advantage of witnessing cute cygnets.
Additionally, you may visit the Children’s Farm and Subtropical Gardens in Abbotsbury while simultaneously going to the Swannery.
Hunting for Fossils
There are a few decent places to look for 185 million year old marine animals in Weymouth, which lies in the centre of the Jurassic Coast. Lyme Regis and Charmouth are the most successful fossil hunting locales.
Finding your own fossils may be quite satisfying. You might uncover an ammonite, a Jurassic shark tooth, or even a fragment of an Ichthyosaurus when exploring the beaches in Weymouth and on Portland.
Go to the former Kingbarrow Quarry or the quarry and beachfront at Freshwater Bay on Portland.
Even better are the Langton Herring cliffs, which are located beyond Chesil Beach and are home to corals, worm tubes, brachiopods, oysters, and echiniods.
Redcliff Point, which is located at the top of Weymouth Bay and offers a plethora of ammonites and enormous oyster shells, is the very greatest location.
Sculpture park Sandworld
Weymouth Beach has the kind of fine, powdery sand that can be sculpted into amazing works of art.
At Sandworld, which is located in a pavilion on the esplanade close to the Sea Life Adventure Park, local businessmen Mark Anderson and David Hicks have done exactly that.
The attraction debuted in 2011 and has a brand-new theme each year.
In 2018, this was television and film, and the sculpture park has images of beloved characters from Marvel, Star Wars, The Jungle Book, and Game of Thrones.