Weymouth

By car

From the South and London

Follow the A35 towards Dorchester, but turn off on the junction for the A354 (that has signs for Weymouth). Then follow the signs into the town.

From the West Country

Follow signs for Bridport, then take the A35 towards Dorchester. At the roundabout junction with the A354 take the third exit towards Weymouth. At the next roundabout near Morrisons, take the coast road towards Weymouth.

By train

Weymouth station is served by hourly trains from London Waterloo and a less frequent service from Bristol. Connections can be made from the north by changing trains at London, Bristol, Bournemouth or Southampton. The railway station is close to the beach and just a few minutes walk from the town centre. There is another station at Upwey about 4 km (2½ miles) further north on the same line.

By bus

National Express operates a coach service to and from Weymouth's seafront. Services run to London Victoria, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Blackpool and Helston with connections to other locations from those towns.
First runs regular services (X53) along the Jurassic Coast to Exeter and Poole. The 31 operates from Weymouth to Axminster via Dorchester and Bridport.

By ferry

Despite its history as a cross-Channel ferry port, these days the furthest you can get on a passenger vessel from Weymouth is Portland; ships from the Channel Islands and France dock at Poole.
Services to Poole from Guernsey, Jersey, Cherbourg and Saint-Malo by fast or traditional ferry are provided by Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries. There are good rail, bus and road links between Poole and Weymouth.

A regular bus service is provided by First within the area. Unlimited travel on First buses in Weymouth costs £2.80 for an adult, and £2.20 for a child. All day travel around Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester is £4.00 for an adult on First Buses. Both the X31 & X53 routes are excellent for sightseeing. X53 All Day Ticket £7/adult. Route 501 is operated by an open topped bus during the holiday season from Weymouth to Portland Bill
There are many taxi companies in Weymouth that are fairly cheap. One is Weyline, tel: +44 1305 777777.

• Bennetts Water Gardens

  phone: +44 1305 785150
  address: Putton Lane, Chickerell
  A landscaped attraction, with many varieties of plants including water lillies. Disabled access is available around some of the attraction.

• Nothe Fort

  phone: +44 1305 766626
  address: Barrack Road
  The Nothe Fort is a fort built at the entrance to Weymouth harbour, now a major tourist attraction featuring exhibitions and a trail for children. Provides spectacular views of Weymouth and Portland's harbours.

• Radipole LakeLake on the River Wey, now a nature reserve run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

• Sea Life Park & Marine Sanctuary

  phone: +44 1305 788255
  address: Lodmoor Country Park
  Many different species of marine life can be found at this attraction, including otters, seals, penguins, rays and crabs. There are also water-based activities for children. The attraction is fully wheelchair accessible. Parking is in an adjacent (and pricey!) Council-operated pay and display car park, where you need to decide in advance how many hours you intend to stay.

• Tudor House Museum

  phone: +44 1305 779711
  address: 3 Trinity St, DT4 8TW

• Weymouth Museum

  phone: +44 1305 457982
  address: Brewers Quay, Hope Square, DT4 8TR

• Isle of PortlandVisit the nearby Isle of Portland.

• Sail!The National Sailing Academy on Portland was the venue for the 2012 Olympics Sailing Competitions, and is the location for the big national dinghy class competitions, and the BUSA finals.

The main shopping streets in the town are St Mary Street, St Thomas Street and New Bond Street. These are all located at the hub of local transport and within five minutes walk of the beach.
Surrounding the main streets are many bustling roads made up of independent retailers.

• Tom and Erin's Gift Shop

  phone: +44 1305 778090
  address: 70 The Esplanade
  wide range of fancy dress costumes and party goods for children and adults.

Weymouth has many restaurants catering for virtually any taste. Many are found around the town centre. For a more picturesque setting there are several restaurants overlooking the old harbour.
Locally produced goods are available at independent retailers around the town. Bread, cakes and savouries from the Dorset Cake Company, and Sgt. Bun are particular highlights.

• Crab House Café

  phone: +44 1305 788867
  address: Ferrymans Way, Portland Road

• Fish 'n' Fritz

  phone: +44 1305 766386
  address: 9 Market St

Weymouth has among the best nightlife available on the south coast and people come from all over the country to experience it. Most of this activity happens in the bars located within the town centre.
On New Year's Eve everyone goes out in fancy dress, leading to it being called the country's largest fancy dress party.
Common after drinking activities include a visit to the beach (less than 5 minutes away), or a trip to one of the many local fast food chains, where chips & cheese is a local favourite.
Some of the most popular include:

• The Swan

  phone: +44 1305 750231
  address: 41-43 St Thomas Street, DT4 8EH
  An adults-only establishment. One of Weymouth's busiest pubs, offering low cost food and drinks. No music or entertainments offered. A non-smoking establishment. Bottled beer: £2.

• The William Henry

  phone: +44 1305 763760
  address: 1 Fredrick Place, DT4 8HQ
  A Wetherspoons Pub. Another busy pub offering very competitively priced food and drink. All day food from 7AM - breakfast. No music. Full range of cask ales with guest beers as well as wines and bottled beers from around the world.

• The Dorothy Inn

  phone: +44 1305 766996
  address: 48-49 The Esplanade
  Open every day, contact venue for times. During the day food is served, and at night there is a club catering for older generations. Bottled beer: £2.70.

Bed and Breakfast

There are many bed and breakfast establishments to be found in Weymouth. Many of these are located near the seafront. Some examples of this are the mainly family run Georgian bed and breakfasts to be found on the Esplanade,

• Beachcomber Guest House

  phone: +44 1305 783078
  address: 6 Waterloo Rd, DT4 7PD

• Weymouth Sands

  phone: +44 1305 839022
  address: 5 The Esplanade, DT4 8EA

• Philbeach Guest House

  phone: +44 1305 785344
  address: 11 Waterloo Place, DT4 7PD

Away from the hustle and bustle is the more peaceful

• Morven Guest House

  phone: +44 1305 785 075
  address: 2 Westerhall Rd, DT4 7SZ
  Family friendly.

Hotels

There is a lack of high quality hotels within Weymouth.

• Moonfleet Manor

  phone: +44 1305 786948
  address: Fleet Rd, DT3 4ED
  3-star hotel set in a Georgian manor house.

Self-catering

• Dream Cottages

  phone: +44 1305 789000
  address: Brewer's Quay
  Independent cottage agency with over 200 cottages.

Camping and caravans

There are several camp sites around Weymouth. Haven holidays operates three such sites, including the Littlesea and Weymouth Bay holiday parks. Independently operated sites can also be found in the area.

• Camping is great at Eweleaze farm located from the west (Weymouth): proceed through Preston and up the hill to Osmington. At the 30 mph Osmington Village sign turn right onto a track. Drive for 1 km over the hill and down to the farm. Solar showers, very cheap basic farmers fields, but gorgeous views over southwest coast path and sea.

• Waterside Holiday Park & Spa

  phone: +44 1305 833103
  address: Bowleaze Cove, DT3 6PP
  5-star caravan site on Weymouth Bay.

• Bagwell Farm Touring Park

  phone: +44 1305 782575
  address: Knights in the Bottom, Chickerell, DT3 4EA
  In a tranquil rural location and its sandy beach overlooking the Chesil Bank, Fleet Lagoon and Lyme Bay. A footpath leads to the Fleet Lagoon and joins with the South West Coast Path along the Jurassic coastline. Welcomes tents, caravans and motor ans and even large RVs (Big hardstandings available). Electric hookups, TV aerial, water connection and drainage are available on serviced pitches. Seasonal pitches and storage spaces for caravans are also offered.

• Abbotsbury
• Lulworth
• Poole
• Bournemouth
• Dorchester – take the A354 north to Dorchester, Dorset's county town with many museums to visit.
• Isle of Portland – take the A354 south or a ferry to Portland, a tied island known for its stone.