Southville Guest House Weymouth

Discover Weymouth and Dorset’s Jurassic Coast

Although Weymouth still retains many of the attractions associated with a traditional seaside resort – Punch and Judy, donkey rides, swingboats, ice cream and seafood beach huts and the rest – a long time ago the local burghers set out to ensure that it would be attractive to visitor all year round, whatever the weather.

A number of attractions opened and an extensive programme of special events developed so that along with the natural attractions of Dorset’s beautiful countryside and coastline (which was recently designated part of the World Heritage site known as the Jurassic Coast) there is always something for visitors to do, whenever they arrive and whatever their interests.

Weymouth’s popularity as a seaside resort is attributed to King George III who came to bathe in the sea as a health cure for his nervous disorder. Between 1789 and 1805 the King and members of the Royal Family spent fourteen holidays in Weymouth.

The award winning beach is superb and consists of sand which sweeps around the bay changing to shingle along the extended promenade. As well as all the traditional facilities there are, trampolines, a volleyball court, fresh water points and of course Weymouth’s famous sand modeller.

But Weymouth and Portland has much more to offer than just the beach. As one would expect of a coastal resort, water sports feature prominently in the list of activities. With excellent wind conditions all year round the waters of Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour are a Mecca for windsurfers and dinghy sailors, so much so that the area has been chosen to host the sailing events for the London 2012 Olympics. Divers come to the area to explore the many wrecks lying around the coast, and as one of the top angling venues in the country Weymouth offers all types of fishing, from the child’s rod dangled off the pier to deep-sea fishing trips which can be booked from one of the charter boats in the harbour. Golf, cycling, walking, bowling, swimming, the list of opportunity for active leisure is endless.