Out and About in Weymouth and Nearby

Weymouth can justly claim to be the ideal modern family resort. Always popular for its magnificent sandy beach and safe bathing even for the youngest child, and all around is beautiful coastal countryside, lovely walks and a variety of wildlife.

Award winning gardens which begin at Greenhill at the north end of the Esplanade and extend along the coast to the Nothe Gardens and Sandsfoot Castle.

Picturesque winding alleys near the harbour are very much the province of the souvenir hunter, while the larger shops with a more general range of goods are sited nearby. Just a few minutes walk away is Radipole Lake and bird sanctuary.

As a centre for leisure activities Weymouth offers so much.

The fine sheltered bay and natural harbour of Portland are popular waters for yachting. In addition there are facilities for swimming (indoor 25 metre pool) , angling and coarse fishing, bowls, golf, tennis, cricket, go-carts, windsurfing, waterskiing and horse riding.

However good the park most people like to explore the surrounding area sometime during the holiday.

Within just a few miles of the park is historic Portland connected to the mainland by the Chesil Beach and is one of Britain's great natural wonders.

Nearby the monastic village of Abbotsbury with it's sub-tropical gardens and a colony of several hundred mute swans at The Swannery is worth a visit.

Bovington Tank Museum is also a favourite attraction, with a collection of over 140 armoured fighting vehicles of many countries, while a little further along the coast is beautiful Lulworth Cove.

Inland Dorchester with many historic buildings and a renowned museum.

Nearby Maiden Castle features one of the largest prehistoric sites in Europe.

A favourite with children is Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park with leopards, wild cats, monkeys, sea lions, penguins, elephants, deer etc. , childrens playground and restaurant.

Around the area are several picturesque villages, monuments, castles and a variety of large country houses many of which are open to the public.