Weymouth is a seaside resort town in the English county of Dorset. Its sandy beach is adorned with beautiful beach houses and surrounded by Georgian mansions. Views of the harbour are provided by the Jurassic Skyline, a rotating viewing tower, and the Victorian Nothe Fort. Weymouth Sealife Park is home to sharks, turtles, and stingrays. Chesil Beach is on the Jurassic Coast, which is abundant in fossils. Portland Island, with its lighthouse and birds, is reached by a causeway. If you are joining Macmillan Jurassic Coast Mighty Hike 2023, here is list of Things to do in Weymouth After Your Mighty Hike 2023
Where to stay in Weymouth Dorset?
There are a lot of places to stay at in Weymouth. You can book your accommodation close to the starting point, or at the end of the hike. I have stayed at The George B&B. It was very close to Lodmoor Country Park, the starting point for the Jurassic Coast Mighty Hike in 2022. The George B&B is only a few minutes walk to the town centre where you can find lots of places to eat and drink. It is also a close distance to many tourist attractions, like SEA LIFE Centre and Nothe Fort.
If you registered for the half marathon, then you may choose to book your accommodations at Durdle Door Holiday Park. There are also a lot of accommodation in Lulworth Cove, this is close to the end point of the Jurassic Coast half marathon. If you would prefer camping, van camping, or just pitching a tent, you may do so at Norden Farm, Wareham Campsite. The Norden Farm, Wareham, Dorset is where the Jurassic Coast Mighty Hike ends, so choosing this as you accommodation could be very beneficial.
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Things to do in Weymouth After Your Mighty Hike
There are a lot of things you can do after your Macmillan Jurassic Coast Mighty Hike 2023. Listed below are famous tourist places that you visit and enjoy during your stay in Weymouth Dorset.
READ MORE BLOG: 10 Unusual things to do in Dorset
Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park
At Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park, you can explore an amazing underwater world and go to the deep depths! Get up close to nearly 2,000 animals, including our playful otters and rescued sea turtles. Then visit Fairy Penguin Island to see the world’s tiniest penguins. They are native to Australia and are the only colony found in Europe!
Standard tickets cost £26.00 and anytime entry is £29.00 however, if you book your tickets through GetYourGuide you can take advantage of price discounts, you can reserve now and pay later.
Top tips for your day out at Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park
- Open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00, last entry is at 15:00
- You must book your tickets online, if you come with no tickets, you will be advised to book your tickets online.
- Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park is now “Cashless”, make sure you bring your contactless card with you.
Corfe Castle
One of Britain’s most iconic and memorable Civil War survivors, largely demolished by Parliamentarians in 1646. All ages are drawn by these majestic castle remains with stunning views across Purbeck. Learn about our 1,000-year history as a royal residence and fortification. There are tales of betrayal and treason around every corner, with fallen walls and secret caves. Find the murder holes’ and count the number of arrow loops. Feel history come to life and observe the animals that have made this place its home.
Adding a visit to the Corfe Castle to the Things to Do in Weymouth After Your Mighty Hike in 2023, would be
Summer Games at Corfe Castle
From 22 July to 10 September 2023, participate in self-led activities that are enjoyable for the entire family, so do not forget to add this to your Things to Do in Weymouth After Your Mighty Hike in 2023. As you explore the castle ruins, you will come across new and ancient games and activities. There is something for everyone, from energetic activities like archery and Skittles to more leisurely games like Nine Jenga.
Nothe Fort
Nothe Fort is the most popular heritage attraction in Weymouth. The Fort, located at the entrance to Weymouth Harbour, provides spectacular 360-degree views of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Jurassic Coast from the picnic places on the ramparts and newly-opened terrace, or head underneath and explore the various tunnels and secret passageways beneath the fort, including the eerie ghost tunnel.
Learn more about the fort’s history, including its role in protecting Portland’s Naval Harbour beginning in 1860, and how developments in military technology modified the fort until its deactivation in 1956.
The Nothe Fort is open Daily: 10:30am – 4:00pm and tickets can be purchased on the day from reception or online. There are Council operated car parks in Nothe Gardens. The Fort is just a short walking distance from these car parks. Parking charges may apply.
Sandsfoot Castle
Sandsfoot Castle was built by King Henry VIII as a coastal fortification system for Weymouth and Portland. It had two stories and a basement, but because Portland Harbour’s protective breakwater wasn’t created until 1875, the castle was repeatedly battered by the surrounding waters.
The magnificent position of Sandsfoot Castle by the sea, makes it a great site to relax and take in the scenery. The gardens that surround the castle have been expertly maintained, and an on-site café is available. Sandsfoot Castle and Gardens are just a few minutes from two beaches and the Rodwell Trail, making for a fun day out for the whole family. This is why so many people enjoy coming to Sandsfoot.
The Rodwell Trail
The Rodwell Trail is a 3.4-kilometer walk/cycleway that follows the path of the decommissioned Weymouth to Portland Railway from the town centre to Ferrybridge near Wyke Regis, which spans the world-famous Fleet Lagoon and connects the Isle of Portland to the mainland. It is part of National Cycle Route 26, which runs south to the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, the country’s premier sailing facility and the site of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events.
Monkey World
The Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre is a 65-acre ape and monkey sanctuary and rescue centre near Wool, Dorset, England. There are many tragic stories about the residents’ prior life and mistreatment, but the keepers care greatly about the creatures, and their speeches are both heartbreaking and educational.
Walk Chesil Beach
Chesil Beach is a famous shingle tombolo (spit) of 180 billion pebbles that runs parallel to the Dorset coast from the Isle of Portland causeway in the southeast to Abbotsbury in the northwest. This hike runs the length of the island, providing unobstructed views of the sea and interior over the brackish Fleet Lagoon that separates it from the mainland.
The shingle spit and lagoon behind it are part of Fleet and Chesil National Nature Reserve (NNR). The south/east end of the spit is open to the public, the center is part of an army fire range, and the north/west end is private land with a spring/summer close season.
Tips for when you go on a walk in Chesil Beach
- You can only do this walk from September to March (access restrictions)
- When the firing range is open – you MUST check the firing times beforehand.
- There is 9 miles of shingle walking.
- 10.4 miles with 350 feet of ascent
- Use the right walking boots, shingles are tough to walk on.
- Swimming from the spit is not advise!
Stone Sculptures in Portland
Here is another Things to do in Weymouth After Your Mighty Hike, the Tout Quarry, also known as Portland Sculpture Park. It first opened its doors in 1983 and presently has over 70 different stone sculptures. Prior to the creation of Portland Sculpture Park, it was used economically during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Portland Sculpture Park, which was founded in 1983 and once housed various stone masons’ practices, now provides a variety of stunning stone sculptures that are free to view. There are over 60 sculptures to investigate, including Joe Hamilton’s “ascent.”
An outdoor workshop is located within the quarry and is open from May to September each year to host workshops for the development of stone masonry skills.
Swanage Railway
You can take a ride through the Purbeck countryside, treat yourself to afternoon tea in one of their carriages, or even have the pleasure of driving one at Swanage Railway Station, which offers the ultimate, iconic steam-train experience. For more information and availability, visit their website.
There are now numerous points throughout Dorset and Somerset where you may board a South Western Railway train every Saturday through the end of the summer, or until 8 September. So, for as little as £15, you can travel back to Swanage and enjoy a wonderful steam train experience. You can get a discounted steam train ticket for £10 when you arrive. Return rides to Swanage cost either £5 or £10 depending on where you are.
READ MORE BLOG: 10 Unusual things to do in Dorset
If you want to explore Dorset in a quirky way, here is a list of 10 Unusual things to do in Dorset in 2023. Let me know in the comment below which one you enjoyed the most.
