Report 1 - Weymouth

Where to berth

• You have a choice of 
  • Council and Weymouth Harbour Master pontoons
    • The Cove, on the left hand side of the harbour just after the lifeboat. This is a friendly area on a modest sized pontoon, and with great atmosphere. You may be in a raft. Power is available.
    • The large visitors area on the right side of the harbour. The main showers are on this side. Power is available. 
    • After years of offering decent value, the town harbour rates in 2023 are now eye-watering and outrageous. It costs more to berth in the town harbour than in the private Weymouth Marina, comparing berthing plus electricity for both. Can’t believe this? Talk to Crew Speedwell or call ahead to check.
  • Boatfolk’s Weymouth Marina, is the other side of the lifting bridge
    • In summer, the bridge opens at 8am, 10am, noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm and in July and August also at 9pm
    • There is a waiting pontoon on the left just before the bridge. There is no waiting pontoon to exit the brigdge.
    • If you want to depart Weymouth early, exit the marina at 8pm or 9pm and then tie up on the waiting pontoon. It is OK for outbound traffic to wait so long as they exit before the next bridge opening. 
    • The marina staff are very friendly and facilities are good. 
    • It can be a long walk to the gate if you get a berth at the south end.
    • The marina pedestrian exit is very close to town centre and the beach.
• Recommended places to visit in this area are 
  • Portland Bill. Watch the race and the fast currents in this wild rocky area. Take an open top bus. The bus stop is between The Range shop and the inner harbour. The bus is hourly. Tip: if you have a national bus pass, you can use it on this service on Mondays and Fridays. Otherwise the fare under the government’s present singe fare cap is £2 each way. There is a good cafe at the Bill as well as a working lighthouse you can visit. Public toilets are in the car park area. 
  • Upwey Wishing Well. This is a beautiful and extensive tea garden set by the River Wey where it bubbles out of the ground in a clear spring. The food and drink are of excellent quality and very traditional. The grounds are a model of tranquility. Get there by excellent bike path from the harbour, if you have a cycle, or by bus. 
  • Rockfish restaurant on the main sea front
  • The Gurkha buffet restaurant in the upper harbour not far from the railway station. The restaurant is on the water and looks like a Noah’s Ark. Consistently good food and good value.
  • Sambo Rodízio restaurant not far from the top left of the marina. It used to be a pub. Now it is a Brazilian style restaurant where the staff circulate with skewers of barbecued meats. Each of two visits was consistent excellent and the staff will charm you to death. Find price dining which is not the cheapest but it good value for what you get.