VERDICT: WE GAVE 4 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!
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Sandy Beaches, Fish & Chips, a Historic Harbour and Classic Seaside Memories on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast
Weymouth: One of Our Favourite English Seaside Towns
Whenever we’re visiting England during the summer, one of our beach days almost always seems to include Weymouth. It’s one of our favourites.
My husband’s family have been coming to this Dorset seaside resort for years, so Weymouth has become one of those familiar destinations we enjoy returning to whenever the opportunity arises. From Bath, the journey takes us around two hours by car, making it a very manageable day trip to the coast.
And when the sun is shining, we’re certainly not the only ones with that idea!
A Traditional English Day at the Seaside
Weymouth is about as traditional as an English seaside resort gets.
We come here for the beautiful sandy beach, relatively sheltered swimming waters and relaxed family atmosphere, but there’s also something wonderfully nostalgic about the place.
A day in Weymouth means finding our spot on the sand, watching families enjoying the beach and eventually deciding what we’re going to eat. Fish and chips are almost compulsory.
Then there are seafood dishes, pasties, ice creams and all those familiar treats that somehow taste better when we’re sitting beside the sea. Years ago, you might even have found a traditional Punch and Judy show entertaining families on Weymouth Beach. It’s that long-established British seaside character that continues to make Weymouth feel special to us.
Get Here Early
There’s one piece of advice we’d give anyone planning a summer visit. Arrive early.
Weymouth is extremely popular with locals and holidaymakers, particularly when the weather forecast promises sunshine. We prefer getting into town early enough to park, walk down to the beach and choose the spot where we want to spend the day. Once we’ve settled in, there’s really no need to rush. That’s part of Weymouth’s appeal.
More Than a Beach
Although we usually come primarily for the beach, Weymouth has much more to offer.
The town has deep maritime roots, while its popularity as a seaside destination stretches back centuries. Sea bathing became particularly fashionable here during the Georgian period, helped enormously by King George III, who regularly visited Weymouth in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
That history can still be seen along the seafront, where Georgian architecture provides an elegant backdrop to the beach.
A short walk takes us towards Weymouth Harbour, one of our favourite areas for a wander. Fishing boats and pleasure craft line the waterfront, while pubs, cafés and restaurants make it an easy place to stop and simply enjoy the atmosphere.
Gateway to Dorset’s Coast
Another reason we like Weymouth is its location. We’re right on the Dorset coast, with some of southern England’s most spectacular scenery within easy reach.
The surrounding coastline forms part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching for approximately 95 miles along the Dorset and East Devon coastline.
Two places we particularly recommend combining with a longer stay in the area are Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.
We’ve visited both, and they reveal a completely different side of Dorset. Weymouth gives us the traditional seaside experience.
Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove give us the dramatic cliffs, rock formations and coastal landscapes that make this part of England so remarkable.
Our Top 5 Things to Do in Weymouth
1. Spend Time on Weymouth Beach
This is always our main reason for coming. The long stretch of sand, traditional seafront and sheltered bay make it an excellent place for a proper English beach day.
2. Walk Around Weymouth Harbour
We love wandering around the historic harbour, watching the boats and taking in the waterfront atmosphere. It’s also a great area for finding somewhere to eat or enjoy a drink.
3. Explore Nothe Fort
Overlooking Weymouth Harbour, this historic Victorian coastal fort provides military history alongside excellent views across the coastline and harbour.
4. Walk the South West Coast Path
For something more active, sections of the famous South West Coast Path around Weymouth provide wonderful coastal scenery and opportunities to see a quieter side of the area.
5. Visit Portland & Portland Bill
If we have extra time, the Isle of Portland makes an excellent extension to a Weymouth visit. Portland Bill Lighthouse and the rugged coastline provide a striking contrast to Weymouth’s broad sandy beach.
Make Weymouth Part of a Dorset Road Trip
Although Weymouth works perfectly well as a day trip for us from Bath, we’d also consider it an excellent base for exploring more of Dorset.
From here, we can easily combine the traditional seaside atmosphere of Weymouth with some of England’s most famous coastal scenery.
A few days could include Weymouth Beach, Portland, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, along with smaller villages and viewpoints along the Jurassic Coast.
That combination gives us the best of both worlds—relaxed beach time and spectacular coastal exploration.
Why We Keep Coming Back
Some destinations don’t need to reinvent themselves.
We come because it’s familiar, relaxed and wonderfully traditional. We know we can spend a summer day on the sand, paddle or swim in the bay, walk around the harbour and find something suitably unhealthy involving fish, chips or pastry for lunch. There’s history here. There’s spectacular coastline nearby.
But there’s also something much simpler.
Weymouth still feels like a proper English day at the seaside.
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