Weymouth seafront

Weymouth's seafront curves for nearly three miles around the sheltered sweep of Weymouth Bay on the Dorset coast. The wide, gently shelving beach of golden sand has been a popular bathing spot since King George III began visiting in 1789, and his connection is commemorated by the brightly painted statue at the north end of the Esplanade and the chalk-cut White Horse carved into the downs above Osmington.

The Georgian and Regency terraces that line the Esplanade give the resort its distinctive elegant character, painted in soft pastel shades and fronted by traditional seaside features such as Punch and Judy shows, donkey rides, beach huts and sand-sculpting displays. The Jubilee Clock, erected in 1887, marks the midpoint of the promenade.

At the southern end the seafront meets Weymouth's historic harbour, where pleasure boats, fishing trawlers and the cross-Channel ferries share the quayside with seafood restaurants and lively pubs. From here visitors can pick up the South West Coast Path towards the Isle of Portland, take a harbour cruise, or walk inland to Brewers Quay and the Nothe Fort overlooking the bay.