Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in Weymouth Harbour

"Bennetts Water Gardens in Weymouth are home to 8 acres showcasing wetland plants, trees, palms and water lilies to name a few. The water lilies planted by the Bennett family in 1959 were supplied to Claude Money for his garden in France. Admission prices to the gardens and the museum on site are currently £10 adults, £4.50 children."

"Bennetts Water Gardens is an 8-acre garden in Chickerell, near Weymouth, Dorset, in southern England. It holds national and international collections of water lilies which flower from late May through to September. Sightseeing • Museum • Nature and wildlife • Garden • Park"

"On Poole Harbour’s Arne Peninsula there’s a vast nature reserve, spreading across almost 1,400 acres. RSPB Arne has a stunning variety of habitats, including sandy beaches, scrub, wet woodland, ancient oak woodland, mudflats, reedbed, farmland and dry and wet lowland heath. There’s a “welcome hut”, where you can find out about the RSPB’s conservation activity in the park, and this also has a shop and cafe."

"Visit Swallows Rest and discover Dorset, a county of outstanding natural beauty which boasts England’s World Heritage Site known as the Jurassic Coast, with rolling hills, breath taking countryside, beautiful villages, and sandy and award winning beaches. We're on the South West Coastal Path National Trail with 630 miles of superb coastline, one of the top walks in the world. At the bottom of our land is the world famous Chesil Beach and the Fleet Saltwater Estuary which runs 10 miles along to Abbotsbury."

"Portland's white limestone has been quarried for centuries and has been used in some of the world's finest buildings, such as the British Museum and St Paul's Cathedral. Tout Quarry's disused workings now house more than 50 sculptures that have been carved into the rock in situ, resulting in a fascinating combination of the raw material, the detritus of the quarrying process and the beauty of chiselled works.Tout Quarry is signed off the main road, just south of Fortuneswell."

"Every May some 600 free-flying swans choose to nest at this swannery, which shelters in the Fleet Lagoon, protected by the ridge of Chesil Beach. Wandering the network of trails that winds between the swans' nests is an awe-inspiring experience that's punctuated by occasional territorial displays (snuffling coughs and stand-up flapping), ensuring that even the liveliest children are stilled.The swannery is near the picturesque village of Abbotsbury, 10 miles from Weymouth off the B3157."

"The Blue Pool is Dorset’s mythic hideaway, having spent decades mystifying its visitors with a dazzling spectrum of colour – shifting from bright blue to aqua green due to the diffracting light on the water’s surface. It’s also home to a much-loved tearoom, serving cream teas from 10am. Get in early to beat the crowds and enjoy your breakfast amongst the old-worldy pine trees."

"It’s a really nice Bournemouth day trip to make and there’s loads to be seen. They have a really nice cafe, I’m not sure it’s the place to go with young children though, they might get bored!"

"Built from white Portland stone, Shire Hall (1797) is Dorchester’s solemn Neoclassical former courthouse. This Grade I-listed building has some serious history. For instance, Thomas Hardy was a magistrate here for decades, and the infamous trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs took place at Shire Hall in 1834."

"Chiquito is a lively, family friendly Mexican chain restaurant. They serve breakfast, available every day until noon. Breakfast items include the Breakfast Sizzler, Breakfast Chimichanga plain tortilla, Mexican eggs benedict and the Breakfast feast."

"South of the border' passion is always served up at Chiquito. A menu of bold Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine is prepared however the diner likes it. Burritos, sizzling fajitas and tacos can all be customised for vegetarians or those wanting more spice."

"Frankie and Benny’s do a bottomless breakfast from Friday to Sunday. “Enjoy free refills on your favourite breakfast dish when you visit us before noon. So will it be the warm and fluffy pancakes, mouth-watering eggs benedict or the classic British fry up?"

"Served every Sunday from 12pm, choose from beef, turkey or gammon. Roasts are served with with crispy roast potatoes, golden Yorkshires, golden honey-roasted parsnips and root vegetable mash. You’ll also get garden peas, carrots, green beans, stuffing and rich red wine gravy."

"Lodmoor is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, RSPB reserve and country park in Dorset, England. The country park features a visitor centre, model railway and pitch and putt golf course."

"Lodmoor is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Dorset, England, and is known well for its natural reserves."

"With a seaview from every table, Branksome Beach is a seafood restaurant situated right on Branksome Chine beach. We offer a relaxed and friendly experience in a superb setting with stunning views across Poole Bay. With daily fresh fish dishes and the best in modern British cuisine our restaurant uses the finest locally sourced seasonal produce to create skillfully crafted into mouthwatering and inventive dishes."

"There’s Sandbank’s own lavish offering, or Branksome Chine Beach a little further down the way, or (our personal favourite) Alum Chine, a quiet beach complete with candy-coloured beach huts and tropical gardens. With the evening sun setting on the horizon, we think this is the perfect time for a beachside picnic; a truly traditional way to end your day out in Dorset!"

"About: Branksome Beach serves the finest, top quality food accompanied by magnificent panoramic views of Poole Bay. You can indulge in some of their locally sourced and freshly prepared dishes whilst you sit and watch the sunset on their spectacular rooftop terrace."

"Weymouth Beach is an award winning beach with traditional old fashioned activities such as Punch and Judy shows, donkey rides and more. The beach is a popular family attraction in Weymouth for locals and holiday makers alike. Toilets, cafe, restaurant and arcades are also available at the beach making it a full day out."

"Overcombe beach is just to the east of Weymouth and is very popular for windsurfers, kite surfers and kayaks. Sitting next to Preston Beach, Overcombe has its own cafe with a car park attached. Dogs are welcomed onto Overcombe beach all year round."

"Three miles of golden sand lie right by Weymouth’s historic harbour and town centre. Offering traditional seaside attractions, such as puppet shows and trampolines, Weymouth Beach is perfect for families."