Weymouth Holiday Cottage by the Sea guidebook

Welcome to Weymouth! Walking/Cycling The Rodwell trail From Weymouth to Portland, the Legacy Trail follows a disused passenger railway line, now a wonderfully, accessible wildlife corridor. The Rodwell Trail from Weymouth to Ferrybridge is a fully surfaced route suitable for scooters, bicycles and mobility scooters. It takes you past old station platforms and Sandsfoot Castle, with lovely views out across Portland Harbour towards Portland. The Trail is also great for wildlife with many birds, plants, butterflies and other insects recorded Coast Path Weymouth is known as England's Bay of Naples. The seaside town holds many attractions itself with its long sweeping promenade and picturesque harbour. Nearby there are numerous places to visit. The Isle of Portland holds a treasure of historical and natural features to explore. West of Weymouth the Jurassic Coast follows round to Abbotsbury and the wide expanse of Chesil Beach by Moonfleet. These different walks are favourites in this area. Nature & the Great Outdoors RSPB Lodmoor Nature Reserve has one of the largest common tern colonies in the south-west, and the hide provides great views of their fascinating courtship and the chicks growing up through spring and summer. There is a pushchair-friendly nature trail and Lodmoor is only a 20 minute walk (10 minutes by car/bus) from Radipole Lake so excellent facilities are close by. The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site on the English Channel coast of southern England. It stretches from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset, a distance of about 96 mi (154 km), and was inscribed on the World Heritage List in mid-December 2001. The site spans 185 million years of geological history, coastal erosion having exposed an almost continuous sequence of rock formation covering the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. At different times, this area has been desert, shallow tropical sea and marsh, and the fossilised remains of the various creatures that lived here have been preserved in the rocks. Notable places of interest nearby include Golden Cap, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Children’s Attractions Sealife Centre is a short walk from our holiday home and Pirate Cove Golf is Part of Weymouth Sealife Adventure Park. Lodmoor Country Park is just a 15 minute stroll from the Esplanade and through Greenhill Gardens. You'll discover a host of independent attractions providing something of interest to entertain everyone. Access to most of the park is free and you can enjoy the numerous sport and recreation areas, wander around the footpaths and nature reserve or enjoy a picnic or barbecue. The Front is an outdoor wooden skatepark situated opposite Weymouth beach and right next door to the Sealife Centre. Abbotsbury Swannery is the only place in the world where you are able to walk through the heart of a colony of nesting Mute Swans, spread over a site of some 25 acres. A visit to the Swannery is considered one of the best things to do in Dorset. The Nothe Fort: With its network of underground passages, Nothe Fort is one of Weymouth’s more unusual attractions, and one that is steeped in history. Supermarkets For a large supermarket go to Aldi, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Lidl. There are numerous small convenience shops near the house such as Lennox Road Stores, Denby Stores, Londis etc. Restaurants & Bars There are numerous pubs and restaurants in the harbourside in Weymouth. The following restaurants are ones we have visited in and around Weymouth and enjoyed: The Ship Inn Spacious, split-level, quayside pub with bookshelves, storm lamps and an eclectic global menu. Address: Custom House Quay, Weymouth DT4 8BE Enzo Italian restaurant Informal modern venue on a Georgian seafront terrace, serving pizza, pasta and Italian staples. Address: 110 Brunswick Terrace, Weymouth DT4 7EA The Boat That Rocks Restaurant A little further afield, quite often with live music. Booking in popular times is a necessity. Classic bistro and Modern British dishes in a contemporary, glass restaurant with sea-view balcony. Address: Portland Marina, 6 Hamm Beach Rd, Portland DT5 1DX The Handmade Pie & Ale House This old pub is now a stylish, modern restaurant serving handmade pies made in an open kitchen. Address: 2 Queen St, Weymouth DT4 7HZ