Weymouth is a gorgeous little seaside town on the Jurassic Coast, the World Heritage stretch of coastline in southern England. Every year, Weymouth attracts numerous tourists looking to spend a day on the beach, or to taste some of the very best seafood this Victorian seaside resort has to offer. But with the UK sporting so many amazing beaches and lovely historic towns, why should you plan your next staycation in Weymouth? Here are 10 reasons why you should visit Weymouth at least once in your life!
- 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Weymouth
- 1. Weymouth has some of the best restaurants on the South Coast
- 2. Weymouth is just under 3 hours away from London
- 3. Weymouth is a haven for birdwatchers
- 4. Weymouth has its own Roman temple!
- 5. Weymouth has a miniature railway
- 6. Weymouth is a great base for exploring the Isle of Portland
- 7. Weymouth is home to some amazing sandy beaches
- 8. Weymouth is a great day out for the kids
- 9. Weymouth is very dog-friendly
- 10. Weymouth is a great place to spot wildlife
10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Weymouth
Authored by Lieze Neven
1. Weymouth has some of the best restaurants on the South Coast
Are you a fan of seafood? Then you cannot miss a trip to Weymouth in Dorset. Weymouth has some of the absolute best seafood restaurants on the south coast. Restaurant Les Enfants Terrible was named one of the best restaurants by the Food and Drink awards in 2019.
Additionally, those who want to spend the afternoon cracking crab claws and sipping bubbly can head to the Crab House Café. This wonderful little restaurant is located on Chesil beach, and offers gorgeously prepared fresh fish and large crabs. As you can imagine, it’s one of the most popular restaurants in Weymouth!
2. Weymouth is just under 3 hours away from London
As Weymouth is just under 3 hours away by car from London, this seaside town is the perfect day trip destination. Head out before the traffic hits to make sure you can spread out your towel out over the sandy beach in the centre of Weymouth.
To get to Weymouth from London, head to the M25 and follow signs for Junction 12 or the M3. Take the M3 all the way to Southampton where you take the Eastleigh exit onto the M27. After passing The New Forest you can start following signs for Dorchester and ultimately Weymouth.
3. Weymouth is a haven for birdwatchers
Did you know Weymouth is a favourite destination for birdwatchers? The Lodmoor is an area of Special Scientific Interest just north of the centre of Weymouth. This Moor is home to hundreds of species of water birds including the bearded tit, the green sandpiper and the long-necked ruff.
The Lodmoor is a combination of large reed beds, open waters and sand marshes as well as grasslands. This unique combination makes that lots of native water fowl and migratory water birds have made a home in this unusual moor.
So head out to Lodmoor Nature Reserve with your binoculars to spot rare and uncommon species of waders in their natural habitat. Who knows, maybe you will even spot a gorgeous blue kingfisher!
4. Weymouth has its own Roman temple!
It is undeniable that the Romans have left their mark on both British history and British culture. From the Roman roads that are used as highways today (like the famous Watling Street) to Hadrian’s Wall, to words in the English language such as exit or pedestrian.
Throughout the country we can find ruins of Roman Villas or even Roman Baths – and here in Weymouth you will be able to visit the remains of a Roman Temple. The Jordan Hill Roman Temple is a temple from AD 69–79 perched on top of a hill with beautiful views over the sea and beach.
The temple was excavated by J. Medhurst in 1843 and later on, professional archaeologists re-excavated the site in the 20th century. What remains now are the foundations of the temple. This lovely little site is a great place to walk to. You can either have a picnic looking out over the sea or head down to The Lookout Café for a cup of tea and some cake.
5. Weymouth has a miniature railway
Another reason why a trip to Weymouth is more than worth it, is the fact that this gorgeous seaside town has its own miniature railway. These last couple of years, the love for trains and old railways skyrocketed with YouTube channels dedicated to train history and even train watching growing in subscribers rapidly, and the sales of toy railways reaching an all-time high.
If you are one of these people that recently discovered their passion for trains, the Weymouth miniature railway should be on your Dorset bucket list. This little railway can be found in the Lodmoor Country Park and runs around a large field. A nice little attractions for train-enthusiasts and families with kids.
6. Weymouth is a great base for exploring the Isle of Portland
The Isle of Portland is a very popular tourist destination for people looking for a calm beach or those wanting to go for long walks. Although the Isle of Portland counts a couple of little villages and a castle, there are no shops and hardly any restaurants.
This means that Weymouth makes for the perfect base for those wanting to head out to the Isle of Portland for a nice day in the sun or an afternoon filled with hiking and walking.
7. Weymouth is home to some amazing sandy beaches
Let’s be honest: it is not always easy to find a beach with soft sand in the UK. Even in nearby Bournemouth some of the beaches consist of stones or rough sand that cuts into your feet.
Weymouth is quite lucky in the sense that this seaside resort houses some amazing beaches such as the famous Weymouth Beach in the centre of the city, where there’s a Punch and Judy Show and other engaging beach activities for the kids. Smallmouth Bay is more adventurous and great for kite or windsurfing. Meanwhile, pebbly Chesil Beach runs between a lagoon and the sea for 18 miles connecting Weymouth with Portland Island (it’s the longest barrier beach in Europe)!
8. Weymouth is a great day out for the kids
Are you looking for a little break on the South Coast with kids? Why not head to Weymouth? There are loads of great activities to do with kids such as Lodmoor County Park which has its own go-cart race track, Sandworld which houses large sand-sculptures, or even Weymouth Pirate Adventure Minigolf!
As almost every seaside town across the United Kingdom, Weymouth also houses a couple of amusement parks offering exhilarating rides. These are Fantasy land near Preston, Alexandra Gardens in the centre of Weymouth, or even Fun Factory which is an indoor playground for when the weather decides to turn.
9. Weymouth is very dog-friendly
Another reason why you might want to take your family to Weymouth for your next city trip, staycation or day trip from London, is the fact that Weymouth is incredibly dog friendly. Weymouth beach has a little dog beach area near Alexandra Gardens where dogs are allowed and the coastal path is a great place for a long walk.
Additionally, most of the restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs are dog-friendly or allow dogs in the outside seating areas. Some of them will even bring your four-legged friend a little cookie and a bowl of water!
10. Weymouth is a great place to spot wildlife
We have already talked about Lodmoor and its impressive population of birds, but did you know you can also rent a boat from Weymouth harbour that will take you out do go wildlife spotting?
You can meet seals, learn more about the fish in the sea, spot sea birds or even watch the porpoises play in the wake of the boat!
About the Author
Lieze Neven is a travel blogger currently living in Nepal. She and her husband travel the world looking for great views and amazing food.
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