Weymouth is one of Dorset’s most popular seaside resorts, combining a magnificent sandy beach, picturesque historic harbour and elegant Georgian seafront. With a wide range of attractions, restaurants, entertainment and accommodation, it is an excellent destination for a family holiday, weekend break or day trip.
Located on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, Weymouth is also an ideal base for exploring some of Dorset’s best-known attractions. Chesil Beach, the Isle of Portland, Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and the historic county town of Dorchester are all within easy reach, while regular rail and bus services make it easy to explore the surrounding area without a car.
Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, take a boat trip along the Jurassic Coast, discover local wildlife or simply enjoy fresh seafood beside the harbour, Weymouth offers something for visitors of all ages.
Official tourism website: www.visit-dorset.com/explore/areas-to-visit/weymouth
Best Things to Do in Weymouth
Weymouth has plenty to offer, from its award-winning beach and historic harbour to family attractions, nature reserves and scenic coastal walks. The town also provides an excellent base for exploring the Jurassic Coast and many of Dorset’s most famous landmarks.
Weymouth Beach
Weymouth Beach is the town’s biggest attraction and one of the finest sandy beaches on England’s south coast. Its gently shelving golden sand and usually calm, shallow water make it particularly popular with families, while the wide promenade is lined with cafés, ice cream kiosks, beach huts and traditional seaside attractions.
During the summer months, visitors can enjoy donkey rides, pedal boats, Punch and Judy shows and seasonal entertainment, while the spacious beach provides plenty of room for swimming, sunbathing and beach games. The Esplanade also offers excellent views across Weymouth Bay towards the Isle of Portland.
Read our complete guide to Weymouth Beach.
Weymouth Harbour
Weymouth Harbour is the historic heart of the town, where colourful fishing boats, sailing yachts and pleasure craft line both sides of the waterfront. Restaurants, pubs and cafés overlook the harbour, making it one of the most attractive places to relax and watch the boats come and go.
The harbour is also the departure point for sightseeing cruises, fishing trips and Jurassic Coast boat tours. Visitors can browse independent shops, enjoy freshly caught seafood or watch the town bridge lift to allow larger vessels to pass through.
Read our complete guide to Weymouth Harbour
Nothe Fort
Standing on the headland between Weymouth Harbour and Portland Harbour, Nothe Fort is one of Britain’s best-preserved Victorian coastal forts. Visitors can explore underground tunnels, historic gun emplacements and military exhibitions while enjoying spectacular views across Weymouth Bay, Portland Harbour and the Isle of Portland.
The surrounding Nothe Gardens provide an attractive place for a walk and are particularly popular for picnics and photography.
Read our complete guide to Nothe Fort.
Website: https://nothefort.org.uk
SEA LIFE Weymouth
SEA LIFE Weymouth is one of the town’s most popular family attractions. Home to sharks, rays, penguins, seals, turtles and thousands of colourful fish, it offers a fascinating insight into marine life from around the world.
The attraction also features outdoor play areas, interactive displays, feeding demonstrations and conservation exhibits, making it an enjoyable day out for families whatever the weather.
Website: https://www.visitsealife.com/weymouth/
Greenhill Gardens
Located at the eastern end of Weymouth’s Esplanade, Greenhill Gardens provide a peaceful contrast to the busy beach. Beautifully maintained with colourful flower beds, mature trees and open lawns overlooking Weymouth Bay, they are an ideal place to relax or enjoy a leisurely stroll.
The gardens also feature a café, tennis courts and plenty of seating, while the adjacent Greenhill Beach offers a quieter alternative to the main resort beach.
Bowleaze Cove
Bowleaze Cove is situated just beyond Greenhill and offers a sheltered sand and shingle beach with excellent views across Weymouth Bay. Popular with families and watersports enthusiasts, the cove has cafés, amusements and holiday accommodation nearby.
It is also the starting point for one of Dorset’s most scenic sections of the South West Coast Path, with spectacular walks towards Osmington Mills and Ringstead Bay.
Read our complete guide to Bowleaze Cove.
Boat Trips from Weymouth
Boat trips are one of the best ways to experience Weymouth and the Jurassic Coast. Throughout the season, operators offer sightseeing cruises, fishing trips, high-speed RIB rides and coastal excursions departing from Weymouth Harbour.
Many cruises head towards Portland Harbour and the dramatic cliffs of the Jurassic Coast, providing spectacular views that cannot be enjoyed from land.
Read our complete guide to Boat Trips from Weymouth.
Scenic Bus Trips from Weymouth
Weymouth is one of the best places in Dorset for exploring the county by bus. During the summer months, First Bus operates a network of scenic Explore Dorset open-top bus routes, taking visitors to some of Dorset’s most spectacular coastal scenery without the need for a car.
Popular routes include Portland Bill, Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Corfe Castle, Swanage, Abbotsbury and Bridport. Day tickets allow unlimited travel, making it easy to hop off and explore beaches, viewpoints and picturesque villages before catching a later bus.
Read our complete guide to Scenic Bus Trips from Weymouth.
RSPB Radipole Lake Nature Reserve
Located just a short walk from Weymouth Harbour and the town centre, RSPB Radipole Lake Nature Reserve is one of the UK’s finest urban nature reserves. Its reedbeds, lagoons and accessible boardwalks provide excellent opportunities to watch wildlife, with regular sightings of kingfishers, marsh harriers, bearded tits and little egrets.
The reserve has several bird hides, peaceful walking trails and a visitor centre, making it an enjoyable place to escape the busy seafront while discovering Dorset’s rich birdlife.
Google map RSPB Radipole Lake
RSPB Lodmoor Nature Reserve
Situated close to Weymouth Beach and Greenhill Gardens, RSPB Lodmoor Nature Reserve is a peaceful wetland of lagoons, marshes and reedbeds that attracts a wide variety of resident and migratory birds throughout the year.
The reserve features level walking paths, bird hides and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, making it a rewarding visit for birdwatchers, photographers and families looking for a quieter side of Weymouth.
Google map RSPB Lodmoor Nature Reserve
Sandsfoot Castle & Sandsfoot Gardens
Standing on a headland overlooking Portland Harbour, Sandsfoot Castle is the picturesque ruin of a Tudor artillery fort built by King Henry VIII to help defend the Dorset coast. Although only the ruins remain, the castle enjoys spectacular views across Portland Harbour, Chesil Beach and the Isle of Portland.
Surrounding the castle, Sandsfoot Gardens feature attractive lawns, flower beds and coastal viewpoints, making them a popular place for a walk, picnic or simply enjoying the scenery.
Google map Sandsfoot Castle
Google map Sandsfoot Gardens
Sandworld Weymouth
Sandworld Weymouth is a unique attraction showcasing spectacular sand sculptures created by award-winning artists from around the world. The detailed displays range from famous landmarks and wildlife to mythical creatures and popular film characters, with new themes introduced on a regular basis.
Visitors can also watch live carving demonstrations, learn about the techniques used to create the sculptures and even try making their own sand creations. It’s a popular family attraction and offers something a little different from Weymouth’s beaches and historic attractions.
Website: https://www.sandworld.co.uk
The Tudor House Museum
Dating from the early 17th century, the Tudor House Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into everyday life in historic Weymouth. Set within one of the town’s oldest surviving buildings, the museum features period rooms, historic artefacts and displays illustrating over 400 years of local history.
Located just a short walk from Weymouth Harbour, it’s a rewarding attraction for anyone interested in the town’s maritime history, Tudor heritage and historic buildings.
Website: https://tudorhouseweymouth.org.uk
Weymouth Walks
Weymouth offers a variety of enjoyable walks, from gentle strolls along the Esplanade and harbour to longer routes following the South West Coast Path. Popular walks include the climb to Nothe Fort, the coastline towards Bowleaze Cove and Ringstead Bay, and the route along Chesil Beach towards Portland.
Read our guide to the best Weymouth Walks.
Weymouth Town Centre
Weymouth town centre is located just a short walk from both the beach and harbour, with a compact pedestrianised shopping area centred around St Thomas Street and St Mary Street. Visitors will find a good mix of well-known high street stores, independent shops, cafés and restaurants, making it easy to spend a few hours away from the seafront.
The town also has an excellent choice of places to eat, ranging from traditional fish and chip shops to waterfront restaurants serving freshly landed seafood. During the summer months, the harbour and surrounding streets often host markets, live entertainment and outdoor dining, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the day and into the evening.
Weymouth Car Parking
Weymouth has numerous pay-and-display car parks close to the beach, harbour and town centre. During the summer holidays and on warm weekends they can become very busy, so arriving early is recommended.
For more detailed information on the best places to park, see our Weymouth Parking Guide.
Nearby Places to Visit
Chesil Beach (3 miles west)
Chesil Beach is one of Britain’s most remarkable natural landmarks, stretching for 18 miles from Portland to West Bay. This vast shingle barrier beach forms part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and offers spectacular coastal scenery, excellent walking opportunities and panoramic views across Lyme Bay.
Isle of Portland (5 miles south)
Connected to the mainland by Chesil Beach, the Isle of Portland is known for its dramatic cliffs, rugged coastline and maritime heritage. Highlights include Portland Bill Lighthouse, Portland Castle, the Tout Quarry Sculpture Park and some of Dorset’s finest coastal walks.
Durdle Door (14 miles east)
Durdle Door is Dorset’s most famous natural landmark and one of the highlights of the Jurassic Coast. The spectacular limestone arch attracts visitors from around the world and is easily combined with a visit to nearby Lulworth Cove.
Lulworth Cove (15 miles east)
Lulworth Cove is a beautiful horseshoe-shaped bay formed over thousands of years by erosion. Its crystal-clear waters, pebble beach and dramatic surrounding cliffs make it one of Dorset’s most photographed beauty spots.
Abbotsbury (10 miles west)
The picturesque village of Abbotsbury is home to several popular attractions, including the famous Swannery, Subtropical Gardens and the historic St Catherine’s Chapel. Its attractive stone cottages and village streets make it well worth a visit.
Dorchester (8 miles north)
Dorchester, Dorset’s county town, offers a fascinating mix of Roman history, museums and connections with the novelist Thomas Hardy. It also has a good selection of shops, cafés and restaurants, making it an enjoyable day out from Weymouth.
West Bay (18 miles west)
West Bay is a picturesque fishing harbour and seaside resort renowned for its dramatic sandstone cliffs, golden beaches and spectacular Jurassic Coast scenery. Famous as the filming location for ITV’s Broadchurch, it’s also an excellent base for coastal walks and is just a short distance from the market town of Bridport.
Related pages: Weymouth Beach / Chesil Beach / Ringstead Bay / Abbotsbury Village / Abbotsbury Swannery / Dorchester /