7 of the Best Beaches near Weymouth
The county of Dorset is home to some of the most exquisite countryside, rugged coastlines, and popular seaside resorts with a history dating back thousands of years.
Now known as a fun seaside location and the third biggest town in Dorset after Bournemouth and Poole, Weymouth has a rich history of its own. Weymouth came to be the resort it is now thanks to George III's love for the area over 200 years ago. When visiting Weymouth from our Weymouth Bay, Littlesea, or Seaview holiday parks, you can walk along Weymouth's harbour and marvel at the quaint Georgian buildings painted in pastel hues while eating your fish and chips or stroll along the esplanade.
But there's far more to this terrific town than just beach huts and ice cream! Here is all you need to know about the beaches near Weymouth.
1. Overcombe Beach
3 minutes from Weymouth Bay Holiday Park
6 minutes from Seaview Holiday Park
15 minutes from Littlesea Holiday Park
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.
2. Greenhill Beach
7 minutes from Weymouth Bay Holiday Park
9 minutes from Seaview Holiday Park
13 minutes from Littlesea Holiday Park
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.
3. Bandstand Beach
8 minutes from Weymouth Bay Holiday Park
10 minutes from Seaview Holiday Park
14 minutes from Littlesea Holiday Park
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.
4. Newton's Cove
10 minutes from Littlesea Holiday Park
15 minutes from Weymouth Bay Holiday Park
18 minutes from Seaview Holiday Park
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.
5. Castle Cove
9 minutes from Littlesea Holiday Park
15 minutes from Weymouth Bay Holiday Park
18 minutes from Seaview Holiday Park
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!
6. The Fleet Lagoon
13 minutes from Littlesea Holiday Park
20 minutes from Weymouth Bay Holiday Park
22 minutes from Seaview Holiday Park
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.
7. St Oswald's Bay
21 minutes from Weymouth Bay Holiday Park
22 minutes from Seaview Holiday Park
37 minutes from Littlesea Holiday Park
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!
Start planning your Great British break
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Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
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As at 12 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Cala Gran, Church Farm, Cardigan View, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Orchards, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Riviere Sands, Seashore, Seaview, Skegness and Thornwick Bay.
Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
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Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.