Things to do in Weymouth

Weymouth is easy to get around by walking and many of the attractions are easily reachable on foot from the town centre. The harbour side is home to several sights and in Hope Square, the impressive Victorian brewery buildings have been transformed into an award winning family attraction. Brewers Quay is a maze of courtyards and cobbled alleyways and around every corner there are arts, crafts and specialist shops.

Weymouth Seafront

Weymouths seafront offers a long sweep of golden sand with great and safe swimming. Safety facilities at the beach include a Beach Control Centre, first aid post, lost children centre and inshore lifeguard facility. A number of ramps lead onto the main beach for easy access. Deckchairs can be rented from numerous locations along the beach. Family entertainment is also on offer in the form of trampolines, merry-go-rounds, pedal boats and Punch and Judy shows.

Brewers Quay

Home to around 20 specialist shops, Brewers Quay offers visitors everything from food to extraordinary gifts from all over the world. Among the attractions are the Timewalk, which takes visitors on a journey back in time, tracing 600 years of Weymouths celebrated maritime history. Discovery is an interactive science centre and children can let their imagination run wild at Crafty Artys Castle, where they can create artistic masterpieces. Brewers Quay is also home to Weymouth Museum, which is open daily and boasts a car park and restaurant.

Bennetts Water Gardens

In 1959, Norman Bennett began growing water lilies in the abandoned clay pits of Chickerell Brickworks. His son Jonathan then took over the landscaping of this eight-acre location and created Bennetts Water Gardens, a beautiful walk around several lakes with scenic spots to sit down and relax. The gardens are home to one of the most exceptional exhibits of water lilies in Britain (150 varieties) with huge ponds and humidity loving plants, native trees, palms, wild plants and flowers. Plenty of wildlife lives in the gardens, ponds and reed beds. Several of the original water lilies came from the same French garden centre that supplied Monets water lily garden in his famous painting.

Weymouth SEA LIFE Park and Marine Sanctuary

Weymouth Sea Life Park is home to a unique blend of indoor and outdoor attractions, making it a great family outing. Set in landscaped grounds, visitors are offered close encounters with marine life, ranging from sharks and seals to seahorses and otters.
The park has recently introduced a unique Turtle Sanctuary, with several green sea turtles from the Cayman Islands, bred in captivity. This remarkable new facility provides amazing views of these charming, ancient animals and helps to raise understanding of the desperate plight of wild sea turtles, whose nest sites are being lost to tourist development and whose numbers are in dramatic decline.

Sandsfoot Castle

Built by Henry VIII at the same time as Portland Castle, Sandsfoot Castle was constructed from a combination of Portland stone and stones from the ruins of Bindon Abbey in Dorset. After his separation from the Catholic Church, Henry VIII closed the monasteries. He then realised the areas exposure posed a threat, as he expected retribution from Europe. Sandsfoot Castle was at first rectangular in shape. It was made up of two storeys underlain by dungeons and surrounded by ramparts and a trench to defend its exposed landward side. Because the cliff on which it is built is being eaten away by erosion, access to the site is restricted and the whole area is cordoned off with railings.

Portland castle

Overlooking Portland harbour on the peninsula south of Weymouth, the castle boasts a diverse and fascinating history. It was built by Henry VIII to defend Weymouth against potential French and Spanish attack and its squat form is characteristic of the artillery forts constructed in the early 1540s. The Governors Garden was designed as part of the Contemporary Heritage Garden series and is home to a remarkable round amphitheatre made from local Portland stone. Providing two-level seating for around 200 people, this sheltered area is a great spot to unwind and enjoy the impressive sea and harbour views.

Deep Sea Adventure and Sharky's

The Deep Sea Adventure gives visitors the opportunity to experience the thrilling world of underwater exploration beginning with the 17th century all the way up to the present day. Housed in a wonderful Victorian warehouse, the Deep Sea Adventure is also home to the Titanic exhibition, giving visitors a chance to learn more about the short life of the great ship and the explorer who found her again. Sharkys Play and Party Warehouse on the ground floor offers childrens slides, ball pools, soft play shapes and games.

Radipole Lake Swannery

This nature reserve is located in the centre of Weymouth and the large reed bed, open water, flood meadows and bushes attract many different birds. The lake is home to Bearded Tits and Cettis Warblers year round. During the summer months, you can see sedge, reed and grasshopper warblers. In the winter season, the many migrating birds which can be found here include pochard and tufted ducks. Radipole is a perfect bird watching site for both beginners and veterans alike, with familiar birds such as house sparrows, finches and robins along the more rare and unusual birds.

Lodmoor Country Park

Located on a 350 acre site, Lodmoor Country Park overlooks the splendid Weymouth Bay, sited to the east of Weymouth and only 15 minutes walk from the town centre, Georgian waterfront and beach. The park makes for a great family day out, with picnics, walking and a host of family attractions and leisure areas, including a RSPB Nature reserve. Among the main attractions are Sealife Park, mini golf, Leisure Ranch, miniature railway and SK8 Park. Ample parking provides easy access to all attractions and facilities. All car parks function on a pay and display basis.

Museums
Weymouth Museum has undergone extensive refurbishment and the entrance is now located on the first floor of the Brewers Quay complex. Exhibits include local paintings and prints from the 18th to the 20th century and topics ranging from The Great Western Railway and Royal Weymouth, to the towns development into a traditional seaside holiday resort. Admission is free of charge and disabled visitors and families with pushchairs have full access. Overlooking both Weymouth and Portland harbours, the Nothe Fort offers some incredible views. This restored Victorian fort has been converted into a museum focusing on the Victorian and WWII periods. The gun floors and magazines exhibit the history of the fort in a clear and interesting way. The Timewalk and Brewery Days will take visitors back in time on an unforgettable journey to experience the sights, sounds and smells of 600 years of Weymouth and Portlands captivating history. The Water Supply Museum is located in a pumping station that supplied water to Weymouth for 150 years. Exhibits trace the history of water supply in the Dorset area.