A walk around Weymouth harbour
On a summers day, there are so many beautiful Weymouth walks...The Rodwell trail, The Nothe Gardens, Newtons Cove, a traditional walk along the seafront or a walk around Weymouth old harbour. The picture here shows a tall ship entering the mouth of Weymouth old harbour. A walk around Weymouth old harbour is full of history. A few centuries ago, merchant ships of similar style would have been a common visitor to Weymouth harbour, owned by succesful merchants living in houses such as the Tudor House on Trinity street - once standing right on the harbourside but now infilled to form the street we see today. Across the street stands another building, full of character, again once a private house, it later became the Weymouth assembly rooms - a plaque attached to the building tells us this, there is history to be found all around Weymouth harbour.
Weymouth Stone Pier
Today Weymouth harbour is still a busy commercial harbour, home to a large number of fishermen, commercial boats and pleasure boats. Moving back to the picture, looking behind the ship, we see Weymouth stone pier, the stone pier is an especially popular spot for Weymouth sea fishing, its also a fantastic place to just relax, breath in the sea air and watch the boats sail by. And in the winter storms, from a safe distance, the waves can be seen dramatically crashing over Weymouth stone pier as it protects the boats in Weymouth harbour from the rough winter seas of the Weymouth storms. Weymouth stone pier can also be a popular viewing point on Weymouth fireworks nights.
The Earl of Abergavenny
The stone pier is an 18th century replacement of the previous simpler breakwater that provided protection for Weymouth harbour - a walk around this side of Weymouth old harbour isn't complete without a walk down the stone pier, a flashing light warns boats at night of its location. At the beginning of the stone pier, there is a stone monument with a plaque standing as a memorial to the sinking of the Earl of Abergavenny - a large trading ship on its outward journey, the Earl of Abergavenny struck the Shambles at Portland and sank in Weymouth Bay in 1805, 263 people perished in the disaster as the ship tried to beach at Weymouth.
The Nothe Gardens
Walking back away from the Stone pier, along Weymouth harbourside, will bring you to a number of sets of steps, whichever set you choose, they all lead up to the Nothe gardens. The Nothe gardens offer fantastic views across Weymouth Bay, Weymouth harbour and across to the beach from one side and from the other side fantastic views across Newtons Cove, Portland Harbour and out to Portland. The Nothe gardens, once used alongside the Nothe Fort for defence purposes is today a place of peace and quiet, an excellent place for a picnic or simply for a beautiful walk with fantastic panoramic views, who knows, you may see a Tall ship on its way in Weymouth harbour.
Places near Weymouth to visit....
Dorchester, the county town of Dorset is a short drive from Weymouth.
Dorchester is a historical town with free attactions in Dorchester including the Maumbury rings and Maiden castle. Dorchester is also home to Thomas Hardys Max Gate home while his birthplace is closeby in Higher Bockhampton. The old court where Judge Jeffreys held his Bloody Assizes in Dorchester can also be found in this historic town.
