Weymouth:gearing up for THAT sailing eventWeymouth is gearing itself up for the Olympics in 2012 which will no doubt raise it's profile considerably, yet it has been a popular destination for travellers since the 19th century.
Getting HereThe town is well served by public transport.The main line up to London Waterloo terminates here and it is just a short walk to the beach and the town centre. South West Trains operate this serviceBy bus use the X53 route operated by The First Group This service runs from Poole all the way to Exeter in Devon .The journey time from Poole is about 1 hour 15 minutes. By car take the A354 from Dorchester or the A353 to Poole
What to doThe main attraction wold have to be the beach which is three miles long and unlike the other Jurassic Coast beaches is very sandy.Usually voted one of the top ten beaches in the country it is clean and safe with lifeguard protection during the summer.To take in the beach the best place to start would be the Jubilee Clock where the Esplanade meets King Street and walk south towards theKing George III statue.You will pass the Tourist information Centre as you go. The alternative is to hop on the Land Train which head north and will take you to Lodmoor Country Park a 350 acre site overlooking Weymouth Bay. The Park includes; Sealife Park, Leisure Ranch, Mini Golf, & Miniature Railway, and an RSPB nature reserve. Lodmoor Country Park offers ample parking with easy access to all attractions and facilities. All car parks operate on a pay and display basis. The main shopping street are around St Alban & St Mary Streets and for a bite to eat I would recommend the Olive Grove Cafe at 21 St Albans Street,does an excellent spicy bean wrap and good coffees.
Cross the town bridge and turn left down Trinity Street and you come to the Brewers Quay a shopping centre which also houses the Weymouth Museum up on the first floor.Not much to it but it is free.Good if you want a history of the town. HistoryThe town's history goes back to to the 12th century but it was when the trade in Portland stone got going that it really took off.Then George III made it his holiday destination on 14 occasions between 1789 and 1805.The town thus became the tourist destination that it still is today.A statue of the King can be seen on the Esplanade. The town was in the front line during World War Two and was bombed by German planes.Over 500,000 troops embarked from Weymouth to fight at the Battle of Normandy. If you walk along Nothe Parade you will come to Nothe Fort on the south side of the river mouth. Built between 1860 and 1872,it was used a military base during WWII,and has now become a museum full of WWII memorabilia,cannons and guns. Access is between May and September plus the October half term week.A family ticket costs £11. Events for 2009Weymouth Kite Festival 3rd & 4th May 4-12th July Spirit of the Sea Festival to celebrate the town's relationship with the seas and build an Olympic legacy. Weymouth Carnival & Fireworks 19th August. Dragon Boat Racing 31st August. Moving OnThe Olympic sailing event take place at Portland Harbourand whilst you are down there check out Chesil Beach and Portland Island
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