Weymouth Mini Guide
What can you Tell me About Weymouth?
It’s a lovely, tranquil holiday resort on the coast of Dorset and has a host of activities and attractions for young and old. It began life as a port on the mouth of the river Wey becoming important for the export of wool to
France before the trade moved to
Poole, nearer the export market. The town is infamous as the entry point for the Black Death to Britain in 1348 aboard a ship returning with spices. It subsequently became important with the growth of the naval facilities at nearby Portland and the attraction of the town as a holiday resort and gateway to the world renowned Jurassic Coast.
What’s the Best way of Getting to Weymouth?
If you need to fly here then
Exeter or
Bournemouth Airports are the two closest. The distance to Weymouth is about the same from both and buses from each airport can take you to the destination with a change en route. The easiest way from the airport is by train although neither airport has direct train connections. If coming from further away by train you need to change at
Salisbury if travelling from the East or Exeter St David’s if travelling from the West. Hire car is also a great option as many of the attractions are some distance from the town centre.
Tell me About all I can see and do in Weymouth
If you’re interested in the history of the town you can visit the town museum which has exhibits ranging from the time of the Black Death up to the present day. For a more child friendly version of its history, an interactive timeline is on show at the town’s Brewer’s Quay.
Mums will love this place too as there are a number of individual boutiques and gift shops here whilst dads will enjoy the tour of the restored brewery. The Jurassic Coast also makes for a great day out, equip your kids with spades and buckets and wander along the beach near the cliffs but be careful of landslides which are common here. On the shore, especially after storms, fresh quantities of fossils are uncovered.
Weymouth, together with its harbour, is a popular South Coast holiday resort. It was host to the 2012 Olympic sailing events and the visitor can emulate the sportsmen by hiring a boat and taking to the calm harbour waters themselves.
For a historic adventure, travel by hire car to the start of the Jurassic Coast, a stunning geological timeline renowned for its fossil filled cliffs. Finally, in town, for a super view out over the town and harbour, climb up to Nothe Fort, built in the 19th century to protect the area’s naval facilities.