Weymouth Beach

• Weymouth, Dorset is largely recognised as having one of the best beaches in the UK with its golden sand, shallow waters and central location along the bustling Esplanade.
• A favourite of King George III himself during the late 18th century, Weymouth Beach remains a popular location for swimming, sailing and water-sports due to its sloping seafront.
• There is tons of family fun to be had along the beachfront including donkey rides, retro Punch and Judy shows, children's amusements and a range of boats to take out on the water.
• Situated in the heart of the historic Jurassic Coast, Weymouth Beach is the ideal spot to explore the rest of this dramatic coastline from.

Beach-goers have been flocking to Weymouth for years thanks to its sandy seafront (said to be imported from the Isle of Wight and South of France!), stunning Jurassic Coast location and abundance of family attractions right on the shore.

Originally made popular by King George III in the 1700's, Weymouth Beach has become one of the top destinations for those quintessential family seaside trips.

This historic corner of Dorset reportedly gets more sunshine than anywhere else in England, making its sandy beach the perfect location for some guaranteed summer fun with a whole host of swimming and sailing opportunities on offer.

In the South West county of Dorset, this three-mile-long beach curves along the pretty horseshoe of Weymouth Bay and alongside the picturesque Esplanade of Weymouth's classic seaside town centre, where you'll find plenty of quaint cafes, family pubs, craft shops, souvenir stalls and popular seafood restaurants.

Weymouth Beach has become a much-loved spot for swimmers, sailors and water-sport enthusiasts thanks to its gradual seabed, frequent sunshine, surrounding sheltered bay and award-winning safety.

Over the last 20 years, Weymouth Beach has won plenty of significant accolades for its cleanliness, safety and management such as the Blue Flag, Quality Coast Award and Seaside Award thanks to the wonderful lifeguards and attendants that maintain the Dorset seafront during summer.

Weymouth's delightful sand also makes it a huge hit with families and a dreamy spot to sunbathe, set up a picnic, take a stroll or whip out the buckets and spades.

As well as all the usual sandcastle, paddling and bat and ball fun, Weymouth Beach also offers plenty of family attractions such as classic Punch and Judy shows, donkeys, kites, arcade amusements, children's rides and even pedalo boats for you to rent for the day.

Weymouth, Dorset also hosts frequent festivals, sporting events and sailing competitions throughout the year.

During the summer months, there are plenty of boat trips on offer from the Weymouth seafront.

We particularly love The Fleet Observer - a glass-bottomed cruiser perfect for exploring the bay's waters more closely.

The historic spot of this sandy expanse makes it a great base to explore the stunning Jurassic Coast from and the many more notable beaches of Dorset.

Weymouth is five miles from the popular Chesil Beach along the West Dorset Heritage Coast's scenic nature reserve, quieter pebble beaches can be found at Greenhill and Preston, and more extreme water-sport opportunities await the daredevils among you at Bowleaze and Overcombe, just a little further around the bay.

Named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, England's Jurassic Coast stretches either side of Weymouth Beach for a full 95 miles from Dorset to Devon, featuring breathtaking viewpoints atop the famous white cliffs and jagged coastline.

Backed by rows of gorgeous Georgian houses and a seaside town full of family restaurants, cafes, shops and arcades, Weymouth Beach provides the perfect family day trip.

If you're looking to extend the fun and take a seaside break along the bay, then there are plenty of holiday parks, hotels and campsites nearby such as the popular Haven Weymouth Bay, just three miles from the beloved beach.

Whilst you're visiting the area, make sure you check out the other wonderful family attractions in the area such as Portland Castle on the Isle of Portland, SEA LIFE Centre Weymouth, the Gothic Highcliffe Castle and the spectacular coastal walks that this edge of England is so famous for.

What to know before you go

• There is a Tourist Information point located at Weymouth Beach.
• Weymouth has beachside refreshment kiosks and cafés on site such as The View At Weymouth and The Boat Café. There are also many family eateries within Weymouth town just next to the beach such as Prezzo, Costa Coffee, Slug & Lettuce, The Ship Inn, The George Bar & Grill plus lots of great fish and chip shops.
• Dogs are allowed onto a restricted area of Weymouth Beach from May to September, at the Pavilion end.
• Weymouth Beach is accessible for wheelchair users with level access onto the beach via ramps, accessible toilets at the location and designated accessible parking areas.
• There are shower facilities and toilets on site.
• Lifeguards operate on Weymouth Beach from May to September, and there is a First Aid Room on site. A Lost Children facility also runs on the beach from May to September.
• Water-sports equipment and deck chairs can be hired for your visit.

Getting there

• If travelling by car, Weymouth Beach can easily be reached from the A354 from Dorchester as well as the A353 between Weymouth and more eastern villages plus the Isle of Purbeck.
• We recommend using the Park and Ride service at Mount Pleasant, which runs all day and calls all along the seafront. There is also the Pavilion Car Park right on the pier, but it can get hectic.
• Weymouth Train Station is an eight-minute walk to the beach via The Esplanade and has direct services to London Waterloo, and connecting lines to Bath and Bristol.
• The Jurassic Coaster bus is a great way to explore the Jurassic Coast and stops at Weymouth, with services running between Poole, Axminster and around East Devon.
• Intercity buses 035, 30, C1, X53 and X54 stop right along the beach.