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The Ultimate Weymouth Weekend Break: Things to Do and Places to Visit
Have you ever wondered what to do on a Weymouth weekend break? Whether you’re looking for a coastal getaway, exciting attractions, or a day out exploring places to visit near Weymouth, this charming seaside town in Dorset has something for everyone.
I recently had a fantastic short break in Weymouth with friends. We were lucky with the weather, so we got to enjoy the beach, but also managed to explore many of the top Weymouth attractions.
In this post, I’ll take you through our 2-day itinerary, so you can plan your own mini break and discover some of the best things to do in Weymouth.
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Day 1: Exploring the best of Weymouth
Morning: Weymouth Harbour and Nothe Fort
Our Weymouth weekend itinerary started at the picturesque Weymouth Harbour, undoubtedly one of the prettiest areas in town.
We booked a beautiful house overlooking the harbour, so were staying in the perfect location for getting out and exploring. Parking in this area is rather restricted, so I parked several streets away and walked back to our accommodation.
As a working port dating back to Roman times, Weymouth Harbour remains a hive of activity with stunning views of painted houses and boats bobbing in the water. It’s the perfect place to soak up the seaside atmosphere.
With picture-postcard views, it’s also the ideal place for lunch. We stopped at Nanna Moon’s, but you’ll find plenty of pubs, cafés, and tea rooms to choose from. Alternatively, order some fish and chips to eat on the quay. It’s the perfect place to sit back and watch the world go by. Just watch out for the seagulls – they are enormous!
A must-see attraction is Nothe Fort, at the furthermost point of the harbour. This impressive historic fortress played a vital role in defending the coast, especially during World War II.
This is a great activity if you’re interested in Weymouth’s maritime history, and it also serves as one of the best indoor activities in Weymouth for rainy days.
Afternoon: Weymouth Beach
No weekend break in Weymouth is complete without a visit to the iconic Weymouth Beach. Known for its golden sands and family-friendly atmosphere, this beach is one of the best beaches in Dorset and has been a popular seaside escape since King George III’s visits in the 1700s.
Weymouth Beach is very family-friendly, but can get very busy on a sunny day. Luckily, there’s plenty of room for everyone and we had a great afternoon sunbathing and swimming.
After an afternoon on the beach, we headed to Rossi’s on the Georgian Esplanade for some scrumptious ice-cream. The Esplanade runs parallel to the beach and is home to some of Weymouth’s most elegant Georgian houses. It also offers some useful beach facilities, such as toilets, deckchairs, and windbreaks.
Alternative rainy day activity
If the weather is not on your side, the Sea Life Centre is an excellent option for indoor activities in Weymouth. This large aquarium houses over 2,500 marine creatures and features additional attractions like a pirate-themed mini golf and a Caribbean Adventure playground.
Evening: dinner and cocktails at the Harbour
Hope Square
As the sun set, we headed back to Weymouth Harbour for dinner. There’s a delightful square off Cove Street with a variety of restaurants. We enjoyed a tapas meal at The Crow’s Nest, but The Red Lion is another excellent good choice for traditional pub food.
For cocktails, Kika Beach Bar and The George Inn were our top picks. There are plenty of lively spots around the harbour, making it a perfect way to end your first day on a Weymouth short break.
Don’t leave it too late to go out. A lot of the restaurants shut their kitchens at 9pm and some of the bars close early too.
Day 2: Isle of Portland and Portland Bill Lighthouse
Morning: Isle of Portland and Portland Bill Lighthouse
On the second day of our Weymouth weekend break, we took a short drive across the Portland Beach Road to the Isle of Portland. It takes about 20 minutes to drive from Weymouth and you can park by the Lighthouse.
The Isle of Portland is a tied island linked to Weymouth by the Portland Beach Road. The area has been providing limestone to famous buildings around the world for many years. Take a look at St Paul’s Cathedral next time you’re there!
Portland Bill
At the southernmost tip of the Isle of Portland is the iconic red and white Portland Bill lighthouse. They built the lighthouse as a guide for ships navigating the precarious waters around the Bill.
Today, the lighthouse offers guided tours, giving visitors a chance to climb to the top and enjoy spectacular coastal views.
Afterwards you can see the Trinity House Obelisk, a large monument standing at the top of the cliffs. It was built in 1844, to warn ships off the hazardous rocks at the end of Portland Bill.
Pulpit Rock
A short walk to the west of Portland Bill Lighthouse leads to Pulpit’s Rock, one of the most famous landmarks near Weymouth. Jutting out from the Jurassic coastline, this unique geological formation is an artificial sea stack created when quarry workers cut away a natural limestone arch.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can climb the rock. Take care, as it can be extremely dangerous and definitely isn’t something you should do in bad weather conditions.
If you have time, you can also pay a visit to the Tout Quarry Reserve and Sculpture Park. This abandoned quarry has been transformed into an interesting sculpture park, with lots of unusual art pieces and is one of the top attractions on Portland Bill.
Afternoon: Chesil Beach and the Olympic Rings Statue
From Portland Bill we made our way to the Olympic Rings Statue, a viewing point offering panoramic views over Chesil Beach and Portland Harbour. This spot commemorates Weymouth’s role in hosting the sailing events during the 2012 Olympics.
To the left you’ll see Chesil Beach, an 18-mile stretch of shingle beach, famous for its dramatic landscape and the Fleet, Europe’s largest tidal Lagoon. It’s an excellent spot for a scenic walk or some quiet reflection away from the town.
Evening: Relax at Billy Winter's Beach Bar
Before heading home, we stopped at Billy Winters Bar, a relaxed beachside shack on the Portland Beach Road. This restaurant bar has a retro vibe and was the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail with views over the water.
It was a brilliant ending to our weekend getaway in Weymouth.
Practical information for your visit to Weymouth
Where to stay in Weymouth
Being such a popular seaside town, you’ll find a good choice of holiday accommodation in Weymouth to suit all budgets.
We stayed in Trinity Road by Weymouth Quay, where several excellent self-catering accommodations offer stunning harbour views. You could try the Old Quayside View or Tradewinds, both of which have an excellent location.
If you prefer to stay in a hotel, there are plenty of options along the Esplanade, offering prime beachfront locations. Click here for prices and availability at Chapter 1 Hotels or the Hotel Rex.
See below for more Weymouth short break accommodation options on Booking.com.
Getting to Weymouth
By car
Weymouth is located in Dorset, in the middle of the south coast of England.
If you’re driving from Surrey or London, the easiest route is via the M3 and M27, which will take you through the picturesque New Forest National Park. This scenic drive takes about 2.5 hours, making Weymouth an ideal destination for a weekend break or short getaway.
By Public Transport
If you are travelling by public transport, regular trains operate between London Waterloo and Weymouth. The journey takes under 3 hours. The train station is a short walk from the town centre and beach.
Parking in Weymouth
There is limited parking by the harbour, but you’ll find plenty of car parks within walking distance of the beach.
Things to do near Weymouth
Weymouth has a prime location on the south coast and you’ll find plenty of things to do nearby.
If you like animals, Weymouth is just a short drive from the lovely Abbotsbury Swannery or Monkey World. Or, for history-lovers, another of the best places to visit near Weymouth is Corfe Castle.
Dorset has an awe-inspiring coastline, with many fantastic walks. You could walk from the iconic Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove or do a short walk out to Old Harry Rocks.
Click here for our full guide to the best things to do on the Jurassic Coast.
We hope this helps you plan your own Weymouth weekend break? With its stunning coastline, pretty harbour and plenty of Weymouth attractions, you’re guaranteed a good time. Let us know your comments below.
For more ideas of weekend breaks in the UK read:
Pin for later: A weekend break in Weymouth, Dorset
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