Winter is the perfect time to discover a different side of Weymouth
Weymouth in winter is a different town from the one you'll find in August. The sands are quiet, the harbour is busy with fishing boats, and the sea air is clear and refreshing.
As you hit the festive season, from Saturday 28 November, the town centre runs four weekends of Christmas events, from an Elf World Record attempt to a steampunk takeover. The whole town comes alive and fancy dress is almost a requirement. Come prepared, stay for lunch and dinner, and join in with all Weymouth has to offer.
Weymouth coastal walks and trails
The Rodwell Trail is the easy one. It follows the old Weymouth to Portland railway line, closed in 1962, for 3.5km from Westham Bridge to Ferry Bridge, and it's flat and traffic free the whole way. You walk through two tunnels and past the old station platforms, then come out above Portland Harbour by the ruins of Sandsfoot Castle, built for Henry VIII. The castle itself is fenced off, but the clifftop gardens offer views of the castle and the bay.
For something shorter, follow the harbour round to the Nothe. Nothe Gardens sit on the headland between Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour, with Nothe Fort above them and benches facing the sea on both sides.
If you want a real hike, the South West Coast Path runs straight through town. Head east along the Esplanade towards Overcombe and Bowleaze Cove, or pick it up at Ferry Bridge and carry on to Portland.
Two RSPB reserves sit inside the town itself: Radipole Lake, a few minutes' walk from the railway station, and Lodmoor, just behind the beach. Winter is the busy season for wildfowl at both, and the paths are flat enough for buggies and young legs.
A cold dip
Weymouth Bay is sheltered and shelves gently, and the town has a year round sea swimming crowd, with groups such as the Bluetits and the Beach Babes meeting for regular dips. The water drops to around 10-12°C by December, so go in with people who know it.
If you'd rather watch than swim, the Weymouth Lions Christmas Day Harbour Swim pulls crowds to the harbourside every 25th December. Swimmers, most of them in fancy dress, cross more than 70 metres from the Cove on Trinity Road to Custom House Quay, in a tradition that goes back to Christmas Day 1948.
Weymouth harbour after dark
Weymouth's harbour is still a working port, and in winter you'll see more fishing boats than leisure craft tied up along Custom House Quay. By 4.30pm the lights are on in the Georgian and Victorian buildings on both quays, and the town bridge links the two, so a loop of the harbour takes about 20 minutes at a stroll.
Pubs, cafés and restaurants line both sides, from Hope Square on the Trinity Road side to Custom House Quay opposite. Stop for fish and chips, a pint by the water, or a seafood lunch at Catch at The Old Fish Market, where the fish comes off local boats.
Festive lights and four weekends of Christmas in Weymouth
The season started with a bang on Thursday 5th November, when Weymouth Town Council lit the bonfire on the beach and hosted an incredible drone show and fireworks display. Now, We Are Weymouth's Christmas programme fills the town centre, from New Bond Street and the Esplanade to Hope Square and the harbourside.
Elf World Record attempt and Christmas Lights Switch On: Saturday 28th November
Weymouth is going for the Elf World Record again. Elves register at Weymouth Pavilion from 11am to 1pm to be counted. Where ears and facepainting complete the Elf-look. Dorset's largest elf parade sets off at 1.15pm behind a marching band and Santa in his sleigh, and the New Bond Street stage runs from 1pm to 5pm. At 5pm the mayor and the panto cast switch on the town's Christmas lights. All day there are craft workshops from 10-4 in various businesses making Christmas decorations for the tree and home.
Weymouth Yuletide Weekend: Friday 4th to Sunday 6th December
Steampunks, pirates, elves, faeries and sci-fi fans give Christmas a fantasy twist. Friday night opens at 7.30pm with a Steampunk Cabaret of fire and burlesque led by Ana Defuego. On Saturday and Sunday, traders and acts fill the town from 10am to 4pm, with Steampunk fashion by Weymouth College students and make-your-own workshops.
At 4pm on Saturday a promenade sets off from the Carousel to the town's Christmas tree. That evening Wight Hot Pipes play the annual Dolmen Yule Ball at Hardy's Hophouse. Sunday brings the Alternative Market, cream teas and roasts. Guests across the weekend include Professor Elemental, The Lady Garden Ensemble, The Antipoet and Major Blunder.
Traditional Christmas Weekend: Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December, Hope Square
Hope Square turns into an artisan market of local makers, hosted by Sticks and Bones, with a Bavarian bar and mulled wine, mince pies and hot food at Pascals, The Red Lion, Sticks and Bones, The Old Rooms and By the Quay. The Rock Choir sings at 4pm on Saturday and the Salvation Army leads carols at 4pm on Sunday. St Mary's Church hosts a live Nativity and Christmas crafts on Saturday from 12pm to 3pm. The weekend raises money for Weymouth Foodbank.
Santa Weekend: Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December
The new Elf Express runs on Saturday 19th December from 10am to 4pm, boarding at Hope Square or on the Esplanade opposite the Black Dog, with proceeds to the Will Mackaness Trust. There's Santa letter writing all day, a light trail, and Santa arriving at Sea Life from 4pm to 8pm.
To finish, Chase the Pudding (20th December) sends Santa-suited runners 5km from Weymouth Pavilion to the stone groyne at Greenhill, with a 2km Chase the Elf for under-16s, also for the Will Mackaness Trust.
Plan your winter visit to Weymouth
Weymouth station has direct trains from London Waterloo and Bristol, and the beach, harbour and town centre are all within a ten-minute walk of the platform. Full Christmas event listings are at weareweymouth.co.uk.
