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A quick guide to Weymouth’s beaches – with everything you need to know to plan a visit!
Weymouth has been one of the most famous seaside towns in England since the late 18th century, when King George III became a regular visitor for the sea bathing! Today, it’s still one of the Southwest’s best-loved beach towns – with three miles of stunning, family-friendly beaches lining a wide, sheltered bay. This guide gives a quick overview of each one, with all the info you need to know about visiting…
Beaches In Weymouth
Weymouth Beach (Main)
Traditional, family-friendly beach with fun fair and other attractions.
(From Pavilion to Jubilee Clock).
Beach Type: Sand
Nearest Parking: Pavilion Car Park, Swannery Car Park – plus multiple town car parks.
Lifeguards on Duty: Various dates between early April and late September.
Toilets: Near King’s Statue
Popularity: Very busy in summer
Dogs Allowed: Clearly marked dog area near the Pavilion. (Allowed on main beach October-April.)
Food & Drink: Refreshment kiosks on beach. Plenty of bars, restaurants and cafes along the promenade.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Funfair (including rides on the beach)
- Donkey rides
- Punch and Judy
- Amusement Arcades
- Weymouth Pavillion
- Deck chairs and sunbeds for hire
- Pedaloes and watersports equipment for hire
Weymouth Beach (Pier Bandstand)
Quieter, shingle end of the main beach.
(From Jubilee Clock to Pier Bandstand).
Beach Type: Shingle and sand
Nearest Parking: Swannery Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: Various dates between early April and late September.
Toilets: At Pier Bandstand
Popularity: Busy in summer
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September.
Food & Drink: Refreshment kiosks on beach. Plenty of bars, restaurants and cafes along the promenade.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Amusement arcade
- Pedalos and kayaks for hire
Greenhill
Loved by locals – shingle beach with swimming rafts.
(From Pier Bandstand to the rock groyne).
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: Lodmore Car Park or Beach Car Park (behind Sea Life Centre)
Lifeguards on Duty: Mid July to early September
Toilets: In Greenhill Gardens and Lodmore Car Park
Popularity: Fairly busy in summer
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September.
Food & Drink: Refreshment kiosks on beach and cafe in Greenhill Gardens.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Offshore swimming rafts in summer months
- Greenhill Gardens
- SEA LIFE Centre aquarium
- Mini golf
Preston Beach
Usually the quietest stretch of Weymouth Bay, popular with locals.
(From rock groyne to Overcombe Corner).
Beach Type: Shingle & pebble
Nearest Parking: Overcombe Car Park or Beach Car Park (behind Sea Life Centre)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: At Overcombe Corner
Popularity: Usually less busy than the other beaches
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: Refreshment kiosk near rock groyne and cafe/restaurant at Overcombe Corner.
Facilities & Attractions:
- SEA LIFE Centre aquarium
- Mini golf
- The Front Skate Park
- Lodmore Country Park
Bowleaze Cove
Sheltered cove with a small funfair.
(Northeasternmost end of Weymouth Bay).
Beach Type: Shingle & pebble
Nearest Parking: Bowleaze Cove Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: Customer toilets in Southside Bar & Grill
Popularity: Fairly busy in summer
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: Several options in Waterside Holiday Park – including takeaways.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Southside Funfair
- Southside Green – with children’s play area, bar & grill, and big screen showing live sport.
- Paddleboard and kayak hire
- Revive Wild Sauna
Newton’s Cove
“Secret” sheltered beach tucked beneath the Nothe Fort.
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: Nothe Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In Nothe Car Park
Popularity: Usually fairly quiet
Dogs Allowed: All year – must be kept on lead*
Food & Drink: Cafe and pub near the car park – more options on harbourside nearby.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Nothe Fort
- Nothe Gardens – include’s a children’s playground
*While there are no signs on the beach, it’s part of Nothe Gardens and where dogs must be kept on leads.
Castle Cove
A hidden local favourite that’s perfect for swimming and paddleboarding.
Beach Type: Sand
Nearest Parking: Nothe Car Park (one mile walk) or road parking on Belle Vue Road and surrounds.
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In Sandsfoot Gardens.
Popularity: Generally fairly quiet.
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: Cafe in Sandsfoot Gardens (uphill from the beach).
Facilities & Attractions:
- Sandsfoot Castle and Gardens
- Nothe Gardens and Nothe Fort a short walk away
Sandsfoot Beach
Another hidden gem with calm bathing – overlooked by a ruined castle.
Beach Type: Sand
Nearest Parking: Nothe Car Park (1.3 mile walk) or road parking on Belle Vue Road and surrounds.
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In Sandsfoot Gardens.
Popularity: Generally fairly quiet.
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: Cafe in Sandsfoot Gardens (uphill from the beach).
Facilities & Attractions:
- Sandsfoot Castle and Gardens
- Nothe Gardens and Nothe Fort a short walk away
Beaches Near Weymouth
Ringstead Bay
Unspoilt beach on a quiet stretch of the coast.
Beach Type: Shingle (sand at low tide)
Nearest Parking: Ringstead Bay Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In car park
Popularity: Generally not too busy
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: Cafe near car park
Facilities & Attractions:
- Good rockpooling at low tide
- South West Coast Path walking trails
Osmington Mills
Rugged, rocky beach with a small waterfall!
Beach Type: Pebble and rock
Nearest Parking: Small car park opposite pub
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In car park
Popularity: Usually very quiet
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: Pub nearby.
Facilities & Attractions:
- The Smugglers Inn – a historic pub once used as a hangout by local smugglers.
- Small waterfall on beach.
- Good beach for spotting fossils.
FYI: The sea can be rough here and may not be suitable for swimming. Exercise caution as there are no lifeguards on duty.
Beaches in Weymouth: Map
- Weymouth Beach (Main): Sand.
- Weymouth Beach (Pier Bandstand): Shingle
- Greenhill: Shingle
- Preston Beach: Shingle & Pebble
- Bowleaze Cove: Shingle & Pebble
- Newton’s Cove: Shingle
- Castle Cove: Sand
- Sandsfoot Beach: Sand
- Ringstead Bay: Shingle (sand at low tide)
- Osmington Mills: Pebble and rock
More Nearby
- Chesil Beach, Portland: Pebble and shingle. Dog-friendly all year. Read more in our guide to Portland’s beaches.
- Little Beach, Portland: Pebble and shingle. Dog-friendly all year. (No car park or facilities – only reachable by walking).
- Church Ope Cove, Portland: Pebble. Dog-friendly all year. (No car park or facilities – only reachable via a steep staircase).
- Durdle Door: Shingle. Dog-friendly all year. Read more in our guide to East Dorset’s Jurassic Coast beaches.
- Lulworth Cove: Pebble and shingle. Dog-friendly all year.
Hope this guide to the beaches in Weymouth helps you plan your next seaside trip!
