Spring Cottage Guidebook - Weymouth
Food scene
Fabulous mid-way seafood restaurant with a lovely atmosphere - strongly recommended.
20 locals recommend
Rockfish Weymouth
48-49 The EsplanadeFabulous mid-way seafood restaurant with a lovely atmosphere - strongly recommended.
Gets the afternoon sun until really late; great for coffee, drinks and cake only
6 locals recommend
Restaurant @ Deheers
9A Custom House QuayGets the afternoon sun until really late; great for coffee, drinks and cake only
The Red Lion
Hope StreetGreat for drinks and food. A 2 minute walk from the house :)
Lovely little cafe with outdoor seating, great simple food. Very close to the house
11 locals recommend
PASCAL'S BRASSERIE ( aka Time For Tea )
8 Hope SquareLovely little cafe with outdoor seating, great simple food. Very close to the house
A little more high end - I don’t eat fish but I have heard it’s superb. Very close to the house.
19 locals recommend
Catch at The Old Fish Market
1 Custom House QuayA little more high end - I don’t eat fish but I have heard it’s superb. Very close to the house.
The perfect spot for sun downers or a beach BBQ - strongly recommended. Lively in the summer and winter - beware of traffic on Portland and check before leaving.
63 locals recommend
The Cove House Inn
91 ChiswellThe perfect spot for sun downers or a beach BBQ - strongly recommended. Lively in the summer and winter - beware of traffic on Portland and check before leaving.
I don’t eat fish & chips, but this comes recommended by the Guardian as a top 20 in the country https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2022/jun/05/seaside-fish-and-chip-shops-are-a-national-treasure-here-are-20-of-the-best
9 locals recommend
Fish 'n' Fritz
9 Market StreetI don’t eat fish & chips, but this comes recommended by the Guardian as a top 20 in the country https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2022/jun/05/seaside-fish-and-chip-shops-are-a-national-treasure-here-are-20-of-the-best
Strongly recommended.
Cheap and cheerful food right on the beach - can also hire paddle boards and other sports equipment from this spot. You can walk or cycle along the Rodwell Trail from the house.
93 locals recommend
Billy Winters
Portland Beach RoadStrongly recommended.
Cheap and cheerful food right on the beach - can also hire paddle boards and other sports equipment from this spot. You can walk or cycle along the Rodwell Trail from the house.
The Fat Badger
90 Camp RoadGorgeous terrace for sun downers 🍹 - some distance from the house
Abbotsbury Childrens Farm
New Barn RoadLovely tea and cake in gorgeous gardens :)
Upmarket restaurant on the harbour. Walking distant to the house.
21 locals recommend
Les Enfants Terribles
19 Custom House QuayUpmarket restaurant on the harbour. Walking distant to the house.
Gets the morning sun - gorgeous cafe right at the end of the harbour. Sometimes has live music - sell great coffee and is a nice stop off after a dip at Newton’s Cove (very close to the house) - closed 31/10 - 30/03
13 locals recommend
Stone Pier Cafe
Hope StreetGets the morning sun - gorgeous cafe right at the end of the harbour. Sometimes has live music - sell great coffee and is a nice stop off after a dip at Newton’s Cove (very close to the house) - closed 31/10 - 30/03
Sightseeing
Fort and gardens very close to the house. Beautiful views from the top :)
79 locals recommend
Nothe Fort
Barrack RoadFort and gardens very close to the house. Beautiful views from the top :)
This is a lovely trail on which you can walk to Portland / Billy winters water sports. A couple of parks / very shallow beaches on the way.
23 locals recommend
Rodwell Trail
This is a lovely trail on which you can walk to Portland / Billy winters water sports. A couple of parks / very shallow beaches on the way.
If you get a clear day, and are in Portland, stop at the Olympic Rings and get an Ice Cream - It’s just lovely to see and watch this amazing view!
6 locals recommend
The Olympic Rings Stone Sculpture
If you get a clear day, and are in Portland, stop at the Olympic Rings and get an Ice Cream - It’s just lovely to see and watch this amazing view!
Lovely little vineyard around 25 minutes drive from the cottage. The picnic is fabulous in the summer.
28 locals recommend
Langham Wine Estate and Vineyard Café
Lovely little vineyard around 25 minutes drive from the cottage. The picnic is fabulous in the summer.
Great park and BBQ area at the top, is sunny all morning and most of the day
7 locals recommend
Newton's Cove
Great park and BBQ area at the top, is sunny all morning and most of the day
This is both food /and sight seeing really - there is a walking trail over the fleet starting at the manor. Get a high tea or lunch after at the manor - it’s quite reasonably priced for the quality.
Moonfleet Manor
Fleet RoadThis is both food /and sight seeing really - there is a walking trail over the fleet starting at the manor. Get a high tea or lunch after at the manor - it’s quite reasonably priced for the quality.
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Bullers WayAbbotsbury
Adventure 4 All
Great local adventure company. Recommended for children above 8.
Photos do not do this little park justice - I love running past it down the Rodwell Trail. There is a tiny rustic cafe which is lovely for a morning enjoying the view of the sea :)
43 locals recommend
Sandsfoot Castle
39 Old Castle RdPhotos do not do this little park justice - I love running past it down the Rodwell Trail. There is a tiny rustic cafe which is lovely for a morning enjoying the view of the sea :)
I personally never go to the ‘main’ beach - that beach is good for small toddlers but can be really busy in the summer. For bigger children and adults Greenhill beach is much nicer - anywhere from Greenhill Gardens to The Oasis Cafe.
6 locals recommend
Greenhill Gardens
I personally never go to the ‘main’ beach - that beach is good for small toddlers but can be really busy in the summer. For bigger children and adults Greenhill beach is much nicer - anywhere from Greenhill Gardens to The Oasis Cafe.
This is the BEST place to watch the sun set from in Weymouth - the beach stays warm until late in the evening and is very local - great for BBQs and drinks late into the evening at The Cove - NO SWIMMING at this beach it’s too dangerous.
Chesil Beach
This is the BEST place to watch the sun set from in Weymouth - the beach stays warm until late in the evening and is very local - great for BBQs and drinks late into the evening at The Cove - NO SWIMMING at this beach it’s too dangerous.
Weymouth Harbour
The iconic harbour. Enjoy the sights and sounds
Lulworth cove is a stunning local spot which you can drive or bike to. I cannot recommend checking the traffic enough and would advise to go early in the summer months. Good walking shoes is a must.
383 locals recommend
Lulworth Cove
Lulworth cove is a stunning local spot which you can drive or bike to. I cannot recommend checking the traffic enough and would advise to go early in the summer months. Good walking shoes is a must.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Portland & Lulworth Cove
These are lovely spots to visit but beware Lulworth in particular has horrendous traffic in the summer (as does Portland). Plan your trip around traffic.
Getting around
Portland Shuttle Bus
Portland has some lovely beaches (be careful - no swimming on Chesil beach - general rule is if no one is swimming, don’t get in the water), but the traffic is bad. The bus is also an option https://www.firstbus.co.uk/wessex-dorset-south-somerset/plan-journey/journey-planner/?from=Rodwell%20Ave,%20Weymouth%20DT4%208UX,%20UK&to=Isle%20of%20Portland,%20Portland,%20UK&date=2022-07-12&hr=18&min=15&modes=bus&type=at&flat=50.6041785&flng=-2.4540688&tlat=50.5475363&tlng=-2.4343209
Getting around
Take the ferry to Portland :)
There is a ferry from Weymouth Harbour to Portland - better than being stuck in traffic :) - departs every day at 10.30, 1pm and 3.30pm. Have a look at the coast line cruises website for more info.