Weymouth holidays

How to reach Weymouth

• Flight time: The nearest airport to Weymouth offering domestic flights is Southampton, about an hour’s drive away. Flights to Southampton from major UK airports typically take between 1 and 2 hours.

• Transfer time: From Southampton Airport you can take a direct bus to Weymouth, which takes approximately 1.5 hours. Alternatively, hiring a car or taking a taxi provides a quicker, more direct route to Weymouth, typically in under an hour.

• Price: The bus fare from Southampton to Weymouth will cost about £10, a taxi considerably more at around £70.

Best time to visit Weymouth

Although there’s plenty to keep you occupied throughout the year, you’ll get the most out of a visit to Weymouth during the sunnier summer months.

• Spring (March to May): Enjoy milder weather with temperatures averaging from 8°C to 15°C. This is an excellent time for walking along the Jurassic Coast and witnessing the stunning coastal flowers.

• Summer (June to August): Peak season, which means bigger crowds but it's also the best time to take in all that the town beaches have to offer, including water sports galore. Temperatures range from 16°C to 20°C, but it’s not unusual to see them nudge the 30°C mark.

• Autumn (September to November): A quieter time with temperatures ranging from 11°C to 17°C, yet the sea remains warm enough for swimming (in September) and the seasonal colours are often breathtaking.

• Winter (December to February): Cooler, with temperatures between 2°C and 8°C, and whilst many outdoor attractions close, the town does showcase its more genteel side.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: English is the primary language spoken here, although quite a few foreign students descend upon the town during the summer.

• Local habits and customs: Weymouth is a friendly and welcoming town. Casual attire is the norm, but some dining and nightlife venues may require a more formal dress code.

• Health and safety: Weymouth is generally very safe, but it's particularly wise to keep an eye on personal belongings when on the beaches.

• Currency: The currency used here is the British Pound. Cash machines are readily available and credit cards are widely accepted.

• Getting around: Weymouth is a compact town, making it ideal for exploring on foot, but if walking is an issue, the town is well served by public buses and taxis.

• Time zone: GMT, switching to British Summer Time in the summer months.

Best things to do in Weymouth

Formerly a busy port, Weymouth’s star turn is its long sandy beach, although there is a smattering of cultural attractions and its Georgian-era buildings are well worth a nose.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Nothe Fort: Erstwhile military base and Cold War nuclear bunker, this hulking bulk affords lofty views over both Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour – a terrific spot from which to capture some stunning photos.

• Bowleaze Cove: This little-frequented cove rates tremendous views of the coastline and the River Jordan, while the beach itself is known for its ancient rock formations. Good spot, too, for flying kites.

The best districts

• Harbour area: Weymouth’s throbbing heart, the harbour is lined with quaint pubs and restaurants, ideal for dining alfresco while watching the boats come and go.

• Brewers Quay: A shopping and leisure complex set in a converted Victorian brewery, home to an enticing mix of eateries, and arts and crafts outlets.

Parks and gardens

• Greenhill Gardens: Situated just north of the main beach, these beautifully manicured gardens offer plenty of solitude with stunning sea views and acres of space for children to roam.

• Lodmoor Country Park: A large park ideal for family outings, with attractions like miniature railway, Sea Life Centre and pirate mini golf.

Historical monuments

• Weymouth Pavilion: An architecturally pleasing ensemble, this classic seaside theatre hosts all manner of entertainment, from cabaret to comedy.

• Tudor House: Take a peek into the life of a Tudor tradesman at this superbly preserved house stuffed with period furnishings.

Day trips in the area

• Isle of Portland: Connected to Weymouth by a dramatic road bridge, this rugged limestone chunk has provided stone for some of the world's great buildings, like St Paul’s Cathedral.

• Jurassic Coast: Spend a day exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a remarkable fossil-filled landscape that peaks at Golden Cap, whose brilliant outcrop of auburn sandstone is crowned with gorse.

• Chesil Beach: Otherworldly 29km-long pebble beach stretching from West Bay to Portland, ideal for long walks, fossil hunting and birdwatching – but note, this is not a place to swim.

• Dorchester: Also known as Thomas Hardy’s town, the county town is a handsome affair, with a clutch of compelling museums and vestiges of its Roman past to delve into. Discover great deals on hotels in Dorchester.

Activities for families in Weymouth

Few coastal resorts do family fun as well as Weymouth – it has its sandy beaches of course, but there's plenty more to keep the critters entertained during your holidays to Weymouth.

• Beaches: Weymouth’s soft sands and calm, shallow waters make it the perfect spot for children to play and swim, but for many it’s those most traditional of seaside pleasures – donkey rides and Punch and Judy – that live long in the memory.

• Aquariums and zoos: Sea Life is a sure-fire hit, whether it’s walking through Ocean Tunnel, mucking about in the Caribbean Cove or having a play in the country’s largest man-made rock pool.

• Sandworld: Marvel at artists who spend days sculpting the extra-fine local sand into fantastical tableaux – kids can even have a bash at creating their own sand masterpieces.

• Nothe Fort: Not a conventional museum, but instead a vast outdoor space where kids can get lost (not literally) in dank, underground passages.

Free things to do in Weymouth

Beyond the traditional bucket and spade activities, there are many other ways you can avoid spending unnecessarily in Weymouth.

• Beaches: The easiest and most obvious choice for a spend-free day, Weymouth’s beautiful and well-maintained beaches are free for the public to enjoy.

• Greenhill Gardens: These beautifully manicured gardens offer a serene escape from the madness of the beachfront with stunning flower displays and wide sea views.

• Jubilee Clock Tower: Located on the seafront, this iconic structure should be the starting point for a self-guided architectural tour of the town.

• Radipole Lake Nature Reserve: Zone out looking for otters and kingfishers, see dragonflies zip by and generally just get back to nature at this RSPB reserve in the heart of Weymouth.

• Free events: The beach is the focal point for a whole host of free events, including beach volleyball championships, live music at the bandstand and the annual Christmas Day swim (brrr…)

Nature and outdoor activities in Weymouth

The town’s beaches are a ready-made activity playground, but there are many other thrilling landscapes nearby that provide opportunities for leisurely pursuits on your Weymouth holidays.

• Hiking and walking trails: One of the finest stretches of the awesome South West Coast Path is on the town's doorstep – and who knows, you may even want to keep going all the way to the end of the path at Poole.

• Water sports: The sheltered waters of Weymouth Bay make it ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding and sailing – in fact, so good are the facilities that the sailing events at the 2012 Olympic Games were held here.

• Cycling: Discover the scenic beauty of the area on two wheels, with routes such as the Rodwell Trail offering a safe and enjoyable path for all ages and abilities.

• Birdwatching: A saltmarsh reserve, RSPB Lodmoor is home to a fantastic number of bird species – including waders, ducks and terns – making it a delightful spot for twitchers.

Local dishes in Weymouth

Holidays to Weymouth are a delight for any food lover, thanks in the main to the bounty of fresh seafood that awaits in many of the town’s restaurants.

Some typical dishes

• Weymouth Bay Prawns: Known for their sweetness, these locally harvested prawns are usually served steamed or in salads.

• Dorset Apple Cake: A deliciously moist cake made with locally grown apples served with a dollop of fresh cream or hot custard.

Meat dishes

• Dorset Lamb: Grazed over the lush pastures of Dorset, this tender and richly flavoured meat is served in various ways at local pubs and restaurants; try a lamb and mint burger.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Fisherman's Catch: Fresh catch of the day dishes are common, showcasing the best of local fish such as sea bass, mackerel and plaice, typically grilled or fried.

• Lobster and Crab: Freshly dredged from the surrounding waters, these luxurious shellfish are served in everything from rolls and salads to rich, creamy pastas.

Street food

• Fish and Chips: Weymouth has some of the best chippies on the south coast, so roll up for your fill of straight-out-of-the-fryer fish and chips.

Sweets and desserts

Sample indulgent desserts like Dorset knob pudding, made with the locally produced Dorset knob biscuits soaked in syrup and served with custard, or try the rich clotted cream ice cream that is popular throughout the area.

Local drinks

• Dorset Tea: A staple in just about every local household and cafés, a cup of Dorset tea is perfect for warming up after a day out on the water.

• Cider: As with much of the West Country, cider is a popular choice here, with several varieties made from local apples.