Visiting Bridport during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Bridport is an attractive and lively market town that thrives and prospers thanks to its rich heritage, community spirit and incredible variety of local independent shops and businesses as well as high street stores. Likewise, West Bay is an established seaside resort and fishing harbour.

The strong community spirit has shone through even more in recent times ensuring that the Town works together to provide a welcome and COVID secure environment for both our local community and our visitors.
Working with Visit Dorset, we are asking all our visitors to please respect, protect and enjoy our beautiful town and harbour side.

Is the town centre open?

Both the Town Centre and the Harbour side are now open, as are the Trading Estates in particular St Michael’s, home to our popular Arts & Vintage Quarter.
All shops and businesses have instructions, signs and markings in place to ensure social distancing measures are met and to provide a safe shopping experience for all.
As with all town centres the measures in place will differ for individual business.
Working with Dorset Council, we have clear social distancing signage and friendly pavement markings throughout the town.
All premises are providing compulsory hand sanitizer on entry and shortly Bridport will have public, foot pedal controlled, sanitizers units throughout the town centre.

Which business are reopening?

Most businesses are now open within the Town centre and surrounding area including West Bay. There are currently a few exceptions including some leisure facilities but the restrictions on those look to be lifted around 24th July.  Some businesses are operating in a different ways or to different opening times, it is advisable to check individual websites for up-to-date information.

Cafes, restaurants, kiosks, pubs and bars are now all reopening with measures in place, again there can be different operating procedures in place including the need to booking in advance or outside dining. Many are still operating a takeout service, for further information read more.

Accommodation businesses are ready to start welcoming visitors, guests must book in advance, search for accommodation availablity in Bridport.

All businesses that have opened must follow and adhere to the government COVID-19 secure guidelines. Please look out for external and internal signage and follow the procedures that are put in place for each individual business, as restrictions will vary.

Cashless options are preferred, when making purchases when possible, card or contactless payments are encouraged.

Will the weekly market be open?

Bridport’s Historic Street Market is up and running and is held every Wednesday and Saturday from 8am until mid-afternoon.
The market has a good selection of stalls selling foodstuffs, clothing and hardware, flowers and plants, pictures and paintings, books and IT goods… and much more. Many of the traders are long established.
The Saturday market is particularly popular, a special attraction is the large number of antique and Bric-a-Brac stalls located in lower South Street.
Many social distancing measures have been put in to place to ensure a safe shopping environment.
There will also be other Markets held such as Farmers Markets, Vegan Market and Artisan Markets, please check website for information as it becomes available. Read more about markets in Bridport and West Bay.

Will the toilets be open?

All of the public toilets, owned by Dorset Council, in Bridport and West Bay are now open every day 9am – 5pm. A thorough and frequent cleaning regime has been put in to place.
All users are asked to stay alert and to ensure they follow social distancing measures as best as they can under the circumstance.   
Report a problem here.

Will the car parks be open?

All of the Car Parks in Bridport and West Bay are open with the exception of parts of West Bay Road Car Park, due to being used as a COVID testing centre.
We advise drivers to check the signage at each car park for the latest information. Charges apply in all car parks, but for safety reasons we strongly advise using cashless payment by phone call, text or the Just Park smart app. Read more about local car parks.

Can I use public transport to visit?

First Group run two main routes serving Bridport and West Bay. The X51 runs between Dorchester South and Axminster train stations, serving Bridport town centre. The X53 runs between Weymouth and Axminster train station, along the stunning B3157 Coast Road, serving both Bridport and West Bay.

The nearest train stations to Bridport and West Bay are as follows:
•    Maiden Newton (12 miles) – services between Gloucester and Weymouth (including Bristol Temple Meads)
•    Crewkerne (12 miles) – services between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids
•    Axminster (13 miles) – services between London Waterloo at Exeter St Davids
•    Dorchester West (15 miles) – services between Gloucester and Weymouth (including Bristol Temple Meads)
•    Dorchester South (15 miles) – services between London Waterloo and Weymouth

Timetables are subject to change and it is advisable to check Traveline SW before traveling.

It is currently compulsory for all passengers on public transport to wear a mask.

Is the beach open?

West Bay Beaches and the harbour are open.
Lifeguard cover on East Beach is provided by RNLI Lifeguards from early July until early September seven days a week from 10am – 6pm.  
Top tips for beach safety are:
•    Swim at a lifeguarded beach, between the red and yellow flags
•    Never use inflatables in strong winds or rough seas
•    Check tide times before you go
•    If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help
•    If you see someone else in trouble, tell a lifeguard. If you can’t see a lifeguard call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

Read more about Bridport Harbour, West Bay.
Read more information about dogs on beaches.
Please take your litter home with you.

Is the Tourist Information Centre open?

Bridport Tourist Information Centre (TIC) is currently open Monday to Saturday 10 – 3pm.
The TIC holds the “We’re Good To Go Industry Standard” A scheme launched by VisitEngland, a UK-wide industry standard and supporting mark to provide confidence for visitors.

The TIC is only allowing 3 people into the office at a time and face coverings are to be worn unless exempt. There are two hand sanitiser stations – one by the door and the other by the retail area.

There is a NHS Covid App to check in and contactless payment is encouraged.

It is advisable to check our website for up-to-date information.

The TIC is working with Visit Dorset to promote #RepectProtectEnjoy when visiting Dorset read more.

Will there be events taking place this summer?

Bridport known as “Dorset’s Eventful Town”
Unfortunately, the majority of our wonderful events have inevitably had to be cancelled or postponed for this year, the good news is that there is a great deal of planning going on to bring them back in 2021.

However, there are some smaller events and some online virtual events still taking place for you to enjoy, please see our events page to search for events taking place during your visit and search for events happening across Dorset on visit-dorset/whats-on

Will there be things for me to do when I visit?

Many of our popular tourist attractions and activities are open or are planning to open very soon including:
Furleigh Estate Wine Tours
Bridport Golf Club
Jurassic Coast Guides
Lyme Bay RIB Charter
West Bay Canoes
West Bay Discovery Centre
Mapperton House & Gardens
Beaminster Museum
Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens & Swannery
Palmers Brewery wine shop (Tours will be returning later in the year.
Bridport Leisure Centre
Bridport Tennis Courts
Dorset Nectar Cider Tours
West Bay Play Area

As well as many of our natural attractions, the Jurassic coast, countryside, walks, and cycle routes.

There are also many great attractions in the surrounding Towns & Villages

Look out for the ‘We’re Good To Go’ consumer mark logos UK-wide industry standard.
This signals that a tourism and hospitality business has worked hard to follow Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines and has a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.