“I’m a member of the National Trust. What are some interesting places to visit near Weymouth?” It’s a question we’re often asked.
Many of our self-catering guests are members of the National Trust, the charity that looks after so much of the nation’s heritage. The Trust owns or manages several sites near us, some of which can be visited for free.
Whether you’re into nature, history or you’re just looking for outstanding views and lovely places to walk, here are some of the local Trust sites you’ll want to visit.
Ringstead Bay
We have to start here because this is the site nearest to us. Ringstead Bay is a tranquil shingle and sand beach with sweeping views of the sea and the dramatic White Nothe headland.
It’s right on theSouth West Coast Path, so it’s popular with walkers. Being some way from bustling Weymouth, the beach is quieter than many others in the area. There are no busy arcades or large crowds.
If you’d prefer to view the coast from above, and walk along the clifftops, you can drive to the National Trust’s Ringstead Bay car park. From here you can follow the South West Coast Path to the top of White Nothe, which offers glorious views over Ringstead Bay, Weymouth Bay and a long stretch of Dorset’s celebrated Jurassic Coast.
From the car park you can also walk down to Ringstead Bay, passing the small church of St Catherine-by-the-Sea.
Ringstead Bay beach car park is a 5-minute drive from us. It’s privately operated with a single, all-day charge. The National Trust car park (free for members) is a similar distance from us, and is on the clifftops, some distance from the beach.
Hardy Monument
You probably know that this area is Hardy country. The famous author, Thomas Hardy, lived not too far from us, near Dorchester, and there are plenty of local sites for his fans to visit.
The Hardy Monument, however, is not one of them. This tower, built on the ridge overlooking the coast, was put up in memory of a different Hardy. It’s designed to look like an old-fashioned telescope, because it celebrates a sailor famous in his day – Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy.
He’s most often remembered for being alongside the dying Admiral Lord Nelson aboard HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. He was captain of the Victory, and had served alongside Nelson in other battles of the Napoleonic Wars.
Hardy lived in Portesham, the village below the monument. His family erected the tower in 1844, and it was designed to act as a landmark for ships sailing along the coast.
The monument is about a 25-minute drive from us. When it’s open, you can climb the 120 steps and enjoy wonderful views from the top. There’s a free car park at the base.
If you want to go up, it’s best to check the National Trust website in advance. The monument closes for the winter season, and opening times can be unpredictable, because of its exposed location.
Portland House, Weymouth
Portland House offers a different kind of National Trust experience. It’s an elegant 1930s Art Deco villa set in its own gardens overlooking the sea. It’s well worth a visit if you get a chance, both for the views and the interior, evocative of the glamour associated with so many Agatha Christie stories.
However, opportunities to visit Portland House are limited, because it’s also an exclusive holiday cottage.
The house is open to visitors for a very small number of days each year, usually during Heritage Open Week in September. For details of when you can visit, take a look at the National Trust website.
Portland House is just over 20 minutes from us. There’s no car park, but street parking is relatively easy.
