Best beaches near Weymouth

Known to the locals as Sandsfoot Cove, Castle Cove is nestled along the Jurassic Coast about halfway between Weymouth Harbour and Portland Beach Road. There's free on-road parking near the beach that could get busier during the warmer season. 

Make sure the kids don't forget their buckets and spades, as Castle Cove is a gorgeous sandy beach with gentle slopes down toward the shoreline. Paddling's a dream here, as the waters are shallow and rather warm in the summer months. Spot wildlife in the rockpools at low tide and challenge yourselves to see what you can find there.

Take in the surrounding beauty of the area, as Castle Cove backs onto low cliff faces and greenery that'll make for perfect family snaps. Overlooking the beach, you'll find the crumbling ruins of Sandsfoot Castle, a fort built during the reign of Henry VIII. It's definitely worth a visit while you're here!

Next to Nothe Fort, you'll find this little slice of shingly, sandy beach tucked away. To get there, walk through Nothe Gardens and find the beach at the end. Newton's Cove is an interesting place to go hunting for creatures in the rockpools and admire the breath-taking views of the Isle of Portland out to sea.

The stones underfoot are a little rough on bare feet, so pop a pair of comfortable shoes on for this visit. With that in mind, you're within easy reach of the Nothe Fort, so why not walk up and see the sea defence for yourself? Parking, toilets, and refreshments are just inside the fort itself.

If you're looking for a little stretch of beach away from the main Weymouth sand, Bandstand Beach is tucked next to the old Pier Bandstand. There are lifeguards around to keep watch as you enjoy swimming in the water, and the Pier provides snacks, drinks, and toilets when you need them. 

It's a bit shingly here but gets sandier as you move toward the town.

Greenhill Beach is the perfect combo of pretty gardens and an impressive shoreline. It backs onto the much-loved Greenhill Gardens, making Greenhill Beach one of the best beaches near Weymouth. The gardens are an array of plants, flowers, borders, lawns, and benches. If you find the pebbly beach a little windy, stroll into the gardens for the perfect picnic opportunity. Fancy a swim? There are lifeguards nearby during peak times and much of the beach slopes down into the sand, making it more comfortable to get in and out of the water.  

There's a lovely little cafe and toilets available too. The promenade forms part of the South West Coast Path if you fancy a bit of a hike after sunbathing.

Like many of Dorset's beaches, St Oswald's Bay looks like a paradise with its crystal-clear waters and golden sands nestled into rocky cliffs. To get onto the beach, you'll have to watch your step; there are a set of steep stairs so you can climb down the cliffside onto the sand and shingle. 

Kids will love running about on the beach's smooth sandy surface, and grown-ups can take the opportunity to sunbathe, swim, and enjoy the azure water. It's a bit of an effort to walk here from where you parked your car, as the closet parking is about 300 metres away. Though with views like that, it's worth the trek!

Protected by Chesil Beach, The Fleet Lagoon offers a unique habitat for hardy plants and animals that struggle to thrive anywhere else. This is thanks in part to the 'brackish' water, a mix of fresh and saltwater, that you'll find off the shore here. This makes the lagoon an unusual family spot to visit and one of the best beaches near Weymouth, as it's a stark contrast to the classic seafront that you might associate with the area. 

As this location is a protected nature reserve, there are plenty of places to walk along the shoreline and read signposts and information boards about some of the species you can find here. Among those are the Lagoon Sand Shrimp, Lagoon Sandworm, and Foxtail Stonewort, a rare plant that can only survive in slightly salty water. 

The beach is covered in greenery, grasses, and shingle, making for some beautiful nature photos with the whole family.

With Overcombe Beach, you almost get two beaches in one; when the tide is in, it's shingly and at low tide, a large sandy strip is exposed. This part of Weymouth is very popular with people who enjoy watersports like kayaking and paddleboarding. The beach is wide, flat, and perfect for building sandcastles on! The water's shallow in many places at Overcombe, and rest assured that swimming's safe here—there are clearly marked zones so swimmers don't clash with windsurfers! 

If you get peckish, pop to the nearby Oasis Cafe for a nibble. If you fancy a longer walk, explore more of the coast using the South West Coastal path, which continues along behind the beach here, on the grassy cliffs above. You can visit the Lodmoor Nature Reserve too, as it's a short walk from Overcombe Beach.