Things to do in Weymouth
Weymouth's bursting with nature, culture, and adventure, so when you're visiting this popular Dorset seaside resort, you'll never get bored. Into peaceful gardens and wildlife spotting? Maybe you're more about seeking adventure on traditional seaside rides with a mouthful of candyfloss. Either way, we've got you covered.
If you're after things to do in Weymouth while staying at our Seaview, Littlesea, or Weymouth Bay holiday parks, keep reading as we've listed our top picks. Get your shoes on and get out there!
1. Nothe Fort
For a dose of fascinating maritime history with 360-degree views of the surrounding Jurassic Coast, Nothe Fort is a must-see while you're visiting Weymouth. Praised for its accessibility, everyone's welcome to enjoy the museum collection, exhibits, and interactive displays to learn about the history of this coastal sea defence.
Explore the underground passages, children's trails, and magnificent weaponry as you make your way around. Nothe Fort holds many fun events through the season, too! Tickets are reasonably priced for adults and children with under-fives getting in free.
When your feet are aching after a full day of exploring the fort, chill out at the Fort View Cafe for freshly made food and drinks, or bring a picnic to tuck into out on the grounds!
2. SEA LIFE Weymouth
Get up close to all kinds of sea creatures in Weymouth's SEA LIFE centre. Explore the themed zones to uncover sharks, seals, fish, frogs, stingrays, and turtles, and the only colony of Fairy Penguins in Europe! The park features native species and tropical animals, too, in carefully controlled environments. You'll even find a Night and Day experience within the Ocean Tunnel, which mimics the natural 24-hour cycle of the earth.
Tickets must be booked in advance, but with great accessibility options including buggy parking, changing facilities, and indoor and outdoor attractions, it's well worth the visit!
3. Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
You'll want comfortable shoes on for this next attraction. The award-winning subtropical gardens in Abbotsbury are a stunning feat of nature, offering an array of interesting, rare, and beautiful plants and flowers to discover.
Walk around the grounds to absorb the picturesque gardens with a view of the Jurassic Coast. Stroll along bridges and sit in tranquillity on the provided swing benches. The location is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friend along on a lead!
Half of the grounds are easily accessible by disabled visitors, although take caution on the gravel paths. When you've soaked in the greenery around you, pop by the self-service cafe for a drink and a bite to eat - there are options for coeliacs, vegans, and vegetarians too.
4. Bennetts Water Gardens
Like a Claude Monet painting brought to life, the award-winning Bennetts Water Gardens offers up stunning natural beauty set on eight acres of land that used to be an old brickworks clay quarry. The gardens are home to the National Plant Collection of water lilies, with a Japanese bridge, pretty ponds, grassy walking areas, and woodland trails including some wheelchair access. As you can imagine, these exquisite grounds attract plenty of native wildlife, and you can visit the Tropical House to spy the warm-climate plants.
To fill hungry bellies, there's the Monet Cafe, serving up cream teas and freshly-made lunches. Just pop to the gardens when you're ready, no need to book!
5. Abbotsbury Swannery
Over 25 acres, visit the only managed colony of nesting mute swans in the world. Built in the 1040s, the swannery has existed ever since as a sanctuary for swans and is one of the best things to do in Weymouth if you love something a bit different. The swannery is open from March to October between 10am-5pm.
During your visit, you can try your hand at feeding the swans, or meander through the largest willow maze in the county. There's free parking and tickets are great value for children, with a discount if you purchased a dual ticket for the swannery and the subtropical gardens. Please leave your dogs at home for this one, though - they may ruffle some feathers!
6. Fantasy Island Fun Park
Hidden in Weymouth's Bowleaze Cove, Fantasy Island is a theme park the whole family will enjoy with proper British seaside entertainment! Find plenty of rides like the teacups, a helter-skelter, carousels, a pirate ship, and slides. The attraction includes an amusement arcade with slot machines, penny pushers, and video games, plus a soft play area for the little ones. Getting hungry? Treat yourself to fish and chips and ice creams. During the summer, Fantasy Island is open seven days a week, subject to change.
7. Weymouth Town Bridge
Built for function more than anything else, Weymouth's Town Bridge just happens to be a spectacle in its own right! One of six bridges built in the harbour since the 1500s, it lifts and separates Weymouth from Melcombe Regis every two hours, most days of the year.
Situated on the pretty harbour, it's a hydraulic bridge that's fun to watch if you get the chance. Grab a bag of chips or a hot cuppa and watch the marvellous bridge at work!
8. Weymouth Museum
In a place as rich in history as Weymouth, the Weymouth Museum is the perfect collection of historical artefacts. The quirky exhibitions offer a journey through Weymouth's history; the Black Death in 1348, the rise of Weymouth as a resort, and the devastating effects of the World Wars on the town and its harbour. Explore artefacts, art, and displays during your visit.
Pop in on Wednesday-Saturday to learn more about Weymouth—it's easy to get to as it's located in the heart of Weymouth near the harbour, with close Pay & Display parking and plenty of places to grab a bite to eat nearby when you're done.
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Important information
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
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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.