Tucked away where a fold of Dorset landscape meets the sea, Weymouth offers classic seaside charm.
There’s more to it than that, of course: it's also home to the festival-style family camping phenomenon typified by Eweleaze Farm. And then there’s the Isle of Portland, connected to Weymouth by the stunning Chesil Beach. You’re also in the heart of the Jurassic Coast here. A day may not be enough - but if you are giving summer a big send off, you can save when you book in advance.
Weymouth Travel links
Weymouth has regular services from London Waterloo, Southampton and other major cities. When you buy your train ticket to Weymouth station, add PlusBus for unlimited bus travel for the day.
National Express and local bus services also connect Weymouth to nearby towns and cities.
The Jurassic Coaster is in fact a series of buses operated by FirstBus that you can catch from the King’s Statue, just 150 metres along the esplanade from the station, and will whisk you to Exeter in one direction or Poole in the other, with many beachy stops in between. You can order taxis from local firm Weyline.
Weymouth's chief attraction is, of course, its beach. Glorious sands stretch all the way along Weymouth’s Georgian seafront, and on a hot summer’s day there’s no better way to pass the time. There are also lots of beach events to come for throughout the year, including the Annual Beach Kite Festival, international volleyball tournaments and some great firework displays. The high season can get rather busy - which is when the locals tend to catch a bus to the shingle Chesil Beach, or small and friendly Bowleaze Cove in the other direction.
Weymouth SEA LIFE is an absorbing aquarium and adventure playground, with 14 acres of attractions and interactive activities for families to enjoy – book online for the best prices, and take advantage of the fantastic 2-for-1 offer when you buy your train ticket.
It’s not always appreciated that there’s a flourishing independent music scene in Weymouth, with many musicians living in the surrounding area and descending on the city after dark. Keep your eyes open for posters for one of the many pubs that has live music, or try The Boot Inn, to catch some local artists.
The rugged coastline that once made Weymouth a haven for smugglers and wreckers can be explored along the majestic South West Coast Path. It offers walking as fine as anywhere in the country, with wildlife and bird-watching opportunities. For dedicated twitchers, the RSPB’s Radipole Lake is a glorious bird sanctuary in the heart of the town, a short walk from Weymouth station. For the more adventurous, there’s a 13-mile round Portland walk that is delightful. Fans of hit ITV drama Broadchurch may fancy a visit to the place it’s made – West Bay is a 45-minute bus ride along the coast westwards.
Not many come to Weymouth solely to shop, but there are two main shopping streets, St Mary Street and St Thomas Street, with a range of familiar and independent shops, and among the plethora of souvenir, rock and beach shops you’ll find the rather fantastic Phils Vinyl Vault where vinyl and band merchandise can be bought. Continuing the vintage theme, we have Vintage Weymouth, where second-hand clothes, collectables, antiques & jewellery are sold.
If you fancied trying your hand at a spot of fishing, the Weymouth Angling Centre has everything you might need for fishing or crabbing, along with some sage advice on how to proceed.
Restaurants in Weymouth
Like any good seaside town, Weymouth offers a wide variety of fresh fish eateries and seafront cafés, pubs and food markets.
Along the esplanade Sea Beats is an award-winning family ran seafood restaurant serving an array of fresh seafood.
If you're in search of more sophistication you could head to the quite brilliant Al Molo, where Italy meets fine dining. Those with an eye for something unusual might like to try the Jailhouse Cafe – fully open to the public but situated in HMP Portland and staffed by inmates. The food is good, the view is stunning, the endeavour is worthy, and you’ll have a story to tell when you get home.
Hotels in Weymouth
The Bay View Hotel ranks consistently highly with its guests and is situated on the seafront with magnificent views. It's ideal for exploring Weymouth and reasonably priced to boot.
If you’re after something with a more countryside feel, the Abbey House in nearby Abbotsbury is also very highly recommended, and offers tranquility amid delightful views of the Dorset countryside.
For a touch of luxury, try the Royal Hotel Weymouth. This 19th-Century Victorian hotel faces the beach front and is just three minutes from Weymouth Train Station.
Travelling by train from London Waterloo to Weymouth cost as little as £15.60 if you book in advance. Prices may differ based on the time of day, class, and route. Bear in mind booking on the day of travel is usually more expensive.
What time does the first direct train from London to Weymouth depart?
The average travel-time is around 2 hours and 45 minutes. However, keep in mind that travel times on weekends and holidays may be longer. To find out the exact travel time for a specific date, please visit our Train Times page.
What’s the cheapest way to get to Weymouth by train?
You can save money by buying off-peak tickets. Search our ticket types to find cheap train tickets, and see if you can save even more with a Railcard . If you’re travelling in a group, you could benefit from GroupSave. And don’t forget to check out SWR Rewards hubfor exclusive discounts on dining deals, theatre tickets, hotel stays, days out and much more.
How much is a train ticket from Weymouth to Poole?
Travelling by train from Weymouth to Poole can cost as little as £13.10 if you get evening out ticket. Prices may differ based on the time of day, class, and route. Bear in mind booking on the day of travel is usually more expensive.
What time does the last direct train from London to Weymouth depart?
