King George III made his first trip to Weymouth in 1789. So impressed was he with the seaside town that it quickly became his favourite holiday destination. Visiting Dorset almost every year until 1805, he was often seen swimming, riding, walking and sailing—all activities you can enjoy on the south coast today.
Even though George III died over 200 years ago, Weymouth remains a quintessential British seaside town. From funfair rides and amusement arcades to an award-winning sandy beach, perfect for swimming and watersports, and fish ‘n’ chip shops, it makes for an ideal beach trip. But Weymouth has advantages that many other beach towns don’t.
Located at the heart of the Jurassic Coast—an UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site where you can unearth 96 miles and 185 million years of geological history—is perfect for both hikers and fossil hunters. So the town serves as a fantastic base for those looking to explore the surrounding areas, like Lyme Regis or Lulworth Cove.
In particular, you’d be silly to ignore Chesil Beach. Just the other side of Weymouth, it is sometimes called the ‘eighth wonder of the world.’ Stretching for 18 miles, with water on both sides, the thin, long peninsula was even the setting of Ian McEwan’s Booker-nominated ‘On Chesil Beach’. Just to give you a sense of the wonder it inspires.
Back in Weymouth, however, most of your time will likely be spent on the Blue Flag-winning beach, whether it’s building sandcastles, sunbathing or watching a Punch and Judy show. But don’t skip a visit to the Nothe Fort, which is full of underground passages and Victorian history, the 17th-century waterfront of Weymouth Harbour, or the unique sand sculpture gallery at Sandworld.
How do I get to Weymouth from Bristol?
If you’re bored of the annual trips to Weston-super-Mare, then Weymouth is a great alternative as it’s just as easy to get to (just a little farther away). There’s a direct train from Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth Station that only takes two hours and 20 minutes. From there, the beach is a five-minute walk away.