What Makes Weymouth So Great?
Weymouth has always been a weekend bolt-hole for my family, but in February 2023, it became our home.
Weymouth has largely shrugged off its slightly tacky seaside image, helped in part by becoming the sailing venue for the 2012 Olympic Games. More recently, there has been a surge of interest created by the COVID-19 pandemic staycations. In recent years, Weymouth has become more upmarket, with a boom in property prices, improvements to the harbour and beachfront, and a significant increase in fine dining options.
The Scenery
The spectacular scenery, pristine beaches, sheltered anchorages, a safe all-weather harbour, and a host of great places to eat out all combine to make Weymouth a top location to live, holiday, keep your boat, or sail to.
A Little Bit of History
I won't give you a history lesson, as there are far better resources for that, but my highlights include: it’s been an important trading port throughout history, it was an alleged entry point for the plague into the country, it served as a military stronghold, and has been a popular holiday destination for both working families and royalty alike.
Love the Location
For me, Weymouth is the perfect location in the middle of the south coast—at least for a sailor.
Weymouth sits in the middle of the spectacular Jurassic Coast and forms a natural bay. The bay is what gives it both its natural shelter and its beauty. Owing to the curvature of the bay, one can sit on the beach or at anchor and look all the way up the coastline to St. Alban's Head in one direction and out to the end of Portland in the other. The dramatic color variation of the rolling green hills, white cliffs, and blue water can really take your breath away.
Perfect for a Holiday
Weymouth is naturally sheltered from the prevailing southwesterly winds, so the beach and sea are very sheltered in all but the rare strong easterly winds. For a family of beach lovers, this protection, along with the clear, blue, clean water, makes Weymouth a top location.
Weymouth offers a lot of variety, with some great attractions and a wide selection of places to eat in fabulous locations, including the beachfront, in town, or along the picturesque, historic harbour front.
Getting Here
Travel-wise, Weymouth is only a 45-minute drive from the A303 and is also a great place to base yourself, with places like Poole, Lulworth, Durdle Door, and Lyme Regis only a short car journey away.
A Fab Place to Sail
For sailing, I struggle to think of anywhere better in the UK. Sure, some places may be better in some respects, but as a package, Weymouth can't be beaten.
Why I Sail from Weymouth
- A sheltered bay from all but easterly wind directions
- The complete shelter of Portland Harbour only a mile away
- A working harbour full of character
- Minimal tides and currents to worry about
- Flat water and smooth air, courtesy of the shelter by Chesil Beach and Portland breakwater
- Multiple stunning anchorages within an easy hour's sail (some within minutes), including Weymouth Bay, Newton's Cove, Castle Cove, Portland Harbour, Bowleaze Cove, Ringstead Bay, Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Mupe, and Worbarrow Bays
- Two deep-water safe ports and all the repair facilities you could ever need
- Just 55 miles on a beam reach to Alderney, 65 miles to Cherbourg, and 70 to Guernsey
- You can reach the Solent or Dartmouth on a single favorable tide
An Unbeatable Place
So, for a place to visit or keep your boat, Weymouth is unbeatable. It also offers a fantastic training ground if you are taking your RYA Day Skipper course, and it is an excellent base from which to charter a boat.
How Can I Help You?
If you fancy the idea of chartering a boat from Weymouth, check out my charter pages.