01305 853970
info@uptongrangedorset.co.uk
Upton Grange Dorset

7 Best Beaches in Weymouth

Weymouth is regularly listed as having one of the best beaches in the UK. The wide sandy expanse, with its safe, shallow waters, and a backdrop of dramatic white cliffs, has been a favourite for generations of tourists.

Two hundred years ago Weymouth beach was lined with horse-drawn bathing machines that took you out into the shallows, where you could enjoy a healthy dipping. Today you’re more likely to be venturing out on an inflatable or a pedalo, or simply choosing to lie out on a beach towel.

A day on the beach means something different to each of us. Perhaps you’re looking for space to play games, to build sandcastles, or to enjoy a family picnic. You might be looking for a quieter spot away from the crowds, or somewhere that allows you to explore rock pools at low tide.

Whatever you want to do at the beach, you’ll find somewhere for it in Weymouth. The town boasts a number of beaches, each with its own character. Here’s our list of what we consider to be the 7 best beaches in Weymouth.

Weymouth beach

The wide, sandy expanse of Weymouth’s main beach offers everything you expect from a traditional seaside experience. No surprise, then, that it’s so well loved by holidaymakers.

Entertainment you can expect to find on the beach in the summer season includes:

  • Donkey rides
  • Funfair rides
  • Pedalos

There are numerous kiosks offering ice cream and other refreshments. Bring your bucket and spade, because the sand is some of the very best for building sandcastles.

All the facilities you want are close at hand – toilets, water taps and shops. The beach has a lifeguard station at the busiest times of year, and it holds a prestigious Blue Flag award for quality.

Parking is available at the Pavilion or in town centre car parks.

Greenhill beach

As you head away from the centre of Weymouth, the character of the main beach changes, from sand to shingle. You’re now on Greenhill beach, which is quieter than the main Weymouth beach.

Greenhill is popular with sea swimmers and those looking for a little more space than you can find on the main beach, particularly in the summer.

It’s immediately in front of Greenhill Gardens, an attractive green space with colourful flowerbeds, a couple of cafes, toilets and that essential of every seaside – a small putting green. As with the main beach, it offers wonderful views across Weymouth bay.

Park at Lodmoor Country Park.

Preston beach

This long stretch of mainly shingle beach connects Greenhill beach to Bowleaze Cove. It is the quietest of Weymouth’s main beaches, being a little further from the town centre.

For the busy season (April to September), certain areas of water off the beach are marked for specific use, either for swimming or various types of vessel. For dates of operation and information about the zones and the relevant marker buoys, visit the personal watercraft page of the Weymouth harbour website.

Castle Cove

This is one of Weymouth’s hidden beaches. Off the beaten track, not quite so easy to get to, and popular with visitors who make the effort to find it.

As the name implies, the beach is overlooked by a castle. It’s a ruined fort from the time of King Henry VIII, perched on the clifftop.

The main section of the beach is accessed via a steep set of wooden steps. A smaller section can be reached at any time, near the entrance to the Castle Cove Sailing Club. The beach is popular with swimmers and is also great for rockpooling.

Newton's Cove

Another of Weymouth’s hidden beaches, Newton’s Cove is a relatively small area of shingle and sand, with a broad expanse of rock pools visible at low tide.

The beach, which is close to Nothe Gardens, is entirely inaccessible at high tides, so be sure to check the tide tables if you plan to visit. The gardens offer scenic views, along with a cafe and toilets.