Attractions And Things To Do
You need never be short of things to do on a visit to Weymouth and
the surrounding area. Listed below are a number of things to do and attractions
to visit, all of which are within easy reach of our guest house.
Birdwatching
There are two RSPB reserves in Weymouth and an observatory on Portland,
each one of interest to all birdwatchers, from beginners to experts.
Radipole Lake nature reserve is in the centre
of Weymouth, and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
There are panoramic views of the reserve from the visitor centre and easy
access to the rest of the reserve along firm paths suitable for wheelchairs
and pushchairs. Bearded tits and Cetti's warblers can be seen all year.
They are joined in summer by reed, sedge and grasshopper warblers. In
winter, bitterns, pochard and tufted ducks can be observed.
Lodmoor RSPB Reserve sits in between Weymouth
and Preston about 15 mins walk away from Southville. Its mixed habitats
(reedbeds, open water, wet grassland and saltmarsh) attract a wide range
of creatures. Bearded tits and Cetti's warblers are there all year and
there is one of the largest breeding colonies of common terns in the south-west. In
winter there are ducks, geese and bitterns. Easy access along firm paths
suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs makes it suitable for everyone.
Brewers Quay
Just off Weymouth’s old harbour is Brewers Quay, a unique shopping village
set in the paved courtyards of the former Devenish’s Victorian brewery.
Packed with specialist shops dedicated to arts and crafts, collectables,
china, glass and all things nautical and a ‘Village Store’ with one of
the most extensive ranges of real ales in the region, along with cheeses,
pasties and pies, jams, chutneys and sauces from the Dorset area. Brewers
Quay is also home to a restaurant, pub, various visitor attractions and
a micro-brewery carrying on 600 years of tradition on the site.
Fishing
You’d expect fishing to be good around and about a seaside town, and of
course it is! There’s some great shore angling around Weymouth, Portland
and Chesil Beach with the opportunity, if you’re clever, or lucky, to
catch bass, cod, mackerel, pollack, eels and garfish. Sea fishing offers
catches of plaice, turbot, ling and conger eels. At Weymouth Angling Centre
(link to website) you can buy your bait and tackle, book boat trips and
obtain permits for fishing in Radipole Lake, and their website gives a
much fuller picture of fishing in and around Weymouth.
Golf
There are around 30 courses in Dorset, so no matter what standard you
play to there is always a challenge. In Weymouth there are three courses:
Wessex Golf Centre (tel: 01305 784737) is
a flat public nine hole par 3 course with a driving range, putting green
and practice bunker; Weymouth Golf Club (tel:
01305 784994) has 18 holes over 5981 yards which visitors are welcome
to experience as long as they have an EGU or club handicap certificate;
the 18 holes over 6224 yards of Came Down Golf Club
(tel: 01305 813494), between Weymouth and Dorchester, was designed by
HS Colt, who also built St Andrews, Wentworth and Sunningdale, and visitors
are welcome, except on Sunday mornings, as long as they have a handicap
certificate.
Gardens and Attractions
Bennetts Water Gardens in Chickerell provide a peaceful walk around
numerous lakes with scenic places to sit, relax and take in views such
as the outstanding summer displays of water lilies in Britain, palms,
native trees and wild flowers. Designated a Site of Nature Conservation
Interest, the gardens are home to a variety of wildlife.
Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens is a magnificent 20-acre garden
filled with rare and exotic plants from all over the world. Charming walled
garden walks mix with spectacular woodland valley views to create a complete
horticultural experience. The garden's Camellia Groves and Magnolias are
renowned and the rhododendron, azalea and hydrangea collections make summer
come alive with sub-tropical colour.
Athelhampton House & Gardens has often been described as one of
the finest 15th century country houses in England. After falling almost
derelict in the 1800s it was restored by Alfred Cart de Lafontaine. The
formal gardens are dominated by twelve giant topiary pyramids which stand
over 30 feet high. There are also a number of smaller gardens each with
their own theme and character.
Also worth a visit…Thomas Hardy was born
in a small thatched cottage, in Higher Bockhampton just outside Dorchester,
which has changed little over the years still with a pretty cottage garden
and orchard. In Dorchester is Max Gate, the home Thomas Hardy designed
for himself and lived in from 1885 until his death in 1928.
The ruins of Corfe Castle show what was an
impressive castle set high on the hill above the village of Corfe. It
was besieged and ruined during the English Civil War.
Founded 800 years ago by Cistercian monks Forde
Abbey & Gardens, near Chard, was transformed in the 17th century
into a grand family house set in 30 acres of award-winning gardens.
The former home of TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), at Clouds
Hill near Bovington Camp is now run by the National Trust.
Close to Brewers Quay in Weymouth is the
Tudor House- an authentically furnished 17th
century merchant's house owned by Weymouth Civic Society.
Museums
Within a short drive of Weymouth are a number of interesting museums and
collections some of which we feature below.
The Tank Museum at Bovington houses the best
collection of armoured fighting vehicles in the world; Tolpuddle
Martyrs Museum, details the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, told
through the eyes and voices of the main characters; the
Keep Military Museum, Dorchester is a state-of-the-art military
museum dedicated to the Dorset and Devon Regiments and their part in the
defence of the realm since 1685; Weymouth Museum,
at Brewers Quay depicts the town’s through paintings, prints, costumes,
regalia and archives, whilst nearby Timewalk,
is an award-winning attraction that journeys through time to tell you
the story of Weymouth's turbulent past and strong maritime connections;
Deep Sea Adventure, Weymouth enables visitors to explore the fascinating
world of underwater and discover the history of Weymouth's Old Harbour;
Dorset County Museum, Dorchester has wide
ranging collections including Roman mosaics, original Thomas Hardy manuscripts
and fossilised dinosaur footprints; Nothe Fort
overlook as Weymouth and Portland Harbours and displays a collection of
items relating the history and defence of the area, the life of a garrison
soldier from 1860 to 1960 and the World War II experiences of the civilian
population of Weymouth.
Portland and the Jurassic Coast
The Island of Portland and Chesil Beach which attaches it to the mainland
are at the heart of the Jurassic Coast recently designated a World Heritage
Site.
Portland’s rugged landscape and stunning views make it an essential part
of any visit to the area. But it’s not just about landscape and views.
The Island’s proud history as a supplier of stone to some of the most
famous buildings in the world (St Paul's Cathedral, the British Museum,
and the UN building in New York) is documented here, and in part celebrated
by the Sculptor’s Walk, an open air gallery with surprises around every
corner.
Another landmark is the lighthouse at Portland Bill, but there is another
which is used as a bird observatory. There are two castles to discover,
as well as some challenging and not so challenging coastal walks. Portland
Museum, housed in two thatched cottages in Wakeham, details the island
history, paying special attention to it’s quarrying and the Island’s folklore.
The unique landscape, excellent special interest activities, attractions
and events make Portland a rewarding destination at any time of the year.
Weymouth and Portland are pretty much the centre of the Jurassic
Coast, a 95-mile stretch of coastline between Orcombe Point in
East Devon and the Old Harry Rocks at Swanage in Dorset which was designated
a World Heritage Site UNESCO in 2001. This ranks it amongst such places
as the Grand Canyon and Great Barrier Reef in environmental importance.
Chesil Beach's 17 miles of pebble and shingle is one of the finest
barrier beaches in the world, stretching from West Bay to Portland. There
are stunning views of it from Portland and at the top of Abbotsbury Hill.
Thomas Hardy
Avid Thomas Hardy readers will be aware of the influence his life in Dorset
had in his work, and of course there is much to be seen in the area for
those who want to find out more. As well as his homes at Higher Bockhampton
and Max Gate, there are some interesting artefacts in the Dorset County
Museum. Of course, all around the County are towns and villages that he
renamed but are clearly recognizable from his descriptions for example
Casterbridge was Dorchester, Budmouth was Weymouth and the Isle of Slingers,
Portland.
On his death in 1928, although Hardy had requested that he be buried at
Stinsford (Mellstock) Church, where he was christened, his ashes were
interred at Westminster Abbey in London and only his heart was buried
in Stinsford, in the grave of his wife.
Walks
There are a number of interesting walks in an around the Weymouth area,
including a stretch of the 630 mile South West Coast Path, and the Hardy
Way which visits many of the settings for his novels.
Watersports
An area that has been chosen to host the sailing events for the 2012 London
Olympics is clearly going to be a mecca for watersports. Weymouth Bay
and Portland Harbour are blessed with some of the finest waters in Europe
for watersports, including sailing, wind surfing, kite surfing diving,
and sea angling.
Diving, surfing and sailing tuition are available locally.
Wildlife Parks
Weymouth's Sea Life Park and Marine Sanctuary is set in six acres
of ground close to the Lodmoor Bird Reserve. As well as specimens of sea
fish there are Humboldt penguins, otters and rescue seals. There is a
good mix of indoor and outdoor activities for all the family with daily
demonstrations and feeding displays.
Monkey World will be familiar to television
viewers. The renowned rehabilitation centre for apes and monkeys is set
in the Dorset countryside, just north of Wool. Visitors can see primates
of 16 different species in large enclosures reflecting their natural habitats.
Abbotsbury Swannery has been the home for
a colony of mute swans for many centuries. Sheltered by Chesil Beach it
provides protection for hundreds of nesting swans and their young ones.
From the end of May you can wander safely around the nests, observing
cygnets at close quarters.
Kingston Maurward Gardens & Animal Park is
set in a classical 18th century Capability Brown style parkland just outside
Dorchester. Its formal Edwardian gardens, Japanese style garden and the
National Collection of Penstemons and Salvias combine with an Animal Park
which is home to donkeys, miniature Shetland ponies, rabbits, sheep, pigs
and calves.
Other parks nearby include Cricket St Thomas Wildlife
Park at Chard - more than 600 animals from around the world including
a pair of very rare leopards; Farmer Palmer's
near Wareham - petting and feeding farm for ideal for younger children;
and Putlake Adventure Farm near Swanage -
50 breeds of animals and a walk-through aviary, voted the best family
attraction in Dorset 2001.
Restaurants
Eating out in Weymouth offers the chance to experience tastes from all
over the globe, and at prices which suit every pocket. Below we list a
small selection of the kind of delights which await you on your visit,
with links to those that have their own website.
Balti House Tandoori fans of Indian food
will love this little gem, tucked away close to Weymouth Bus Station.
01305 783515
Crab House Café
(Click Here) One of Rick Stein’s favourites,
this unprepossessing wooden hut sits beside the Fleet at Ferry Bridge,
offering seafood delights in an ultimately surprisingly satisfying setting.
01305 788867
Enzo’s Italian treats from pizzas and pastas
to more sophisticated dishes - always popular. 01305 778666
Elm Tree Inn In Langston Herring just off
the Weymouth to Abbotsbury road - looking for a meal in a country pub?
Look no further!
Fish’n’fritz
(Click Here) In a town where we have
some of the best fish’n’chips, Fish’nFritz keep on winning awards. 01305
766386
Floods Popular seafood restaurant on Custom House Quay, Weymouth
01305 772270
Gurkha Restaurant (Click
Here) Taste the orient in one place!! Chinese, Nepalese, Thai,
Malayan and Indian food all served fixed price buffet style. 01305 778877
Hamilton’s
(Click Here) Fine dining with a Mediterranean
twist. Their home-made ice cream is sumptuous treat!! 01305 789544
Mallams
(Click Here) Extensive set price menus,
including a specialist fish menu at this harbourside treat. 01305 776757
Ming Wah Chinese cuisine served with a flourish
in St Thomas Street, Weymouth. 01305 773282
Panorama Restaurant Traditional value for
money English cuisine. 01305 760200
Perry’s
(Click Here) Another harbourside delight
serving international cuisine that’s attracted the attention of Egon Ronay
and the Good Food Guide. 01305 785799
Prezzo Italian style chain with pizza and
pasta favourites, flame roasted chicken and grills plus a view of the
harbour from the Town Bridge. 01305 787600
Rossinis Mediterranean treats from Italy, Spain and Morocco. 01305
789406
Ta Dyo Adelfia It’s all Greek to me and you!
Traditional Greek cuisine served in a taverna under the Acropolis Hotel
in Dorchester Road. 01305 784282
Turk’s Head Restaurant A mix of classic dishes and grills, fish
and vegetarian specials in Chickerell’s best-known restaurant
Westers Bistro dishes from all around the world with classic recipes
and a fish of the day special served in bistro style in Dorchester Road.
01305 784904
Yako Noodle Bar Oodles of noodle and rice dishes served largely
at bench seated tables. 01305 780888
