Weymouth is one of the sunniest towns in Britain, with a three mile sandy beach, a working harbour lined with pubs, and the Isle of Portland and Chesil Beach next door. Here is what we point guests towards.
Three miles of soft golden sand in a sheltered bay, with donkeys, Punch and Judy, the sand sculptures and the Georgian seafront behind it. Safe, shallow and one of the sunniest spots in the country.
Fishing boats, pleasure craft and colourful houses on both quays, with pubs, seafood restaurants and the boat trip kiosks. Cross the town bridge to Brewers Quay and Nothe Gardens.
An eighteen mile bank of shingle running from Portland to West Bay, with the Fleet lagoon behind it. Walk it from the Chesil Beach Centre at Ferrybridge.
The most photographed spot on the Jurassic Coast. Park at Lulworth and walk over the hill to the arch, or take a boat trip from Weymouth harbour to see it from the sea.
The tip of the Isle of Portland, with the red and white lighthouse, the Pulpit Rock and huge views. Stop at Portland Castle, one of Henry VIII's coastal forts, on the way.
A Victorian fort guarding the harbour mouth, with underground passages, big guns and a great view back over the bay.
Sharks, penguins, otters and turtles at Lodmoor, a walk along the seafront from the hotel. Good for a wet afternoon.
The only managed colony of nesting mute swans in the world, in a village of thatched cottages, with the gardens and the children's farm next door.
Thomas Hardy's county town: the Dorset Museum, the Roman Town House, Maumbury Rings and, on the edge of town, the King's model village of Poundbury.
RIB rides round the bay, hour long trips round Portland Harbour and longer cruises along the coast to Lulworth. Weymouth Boat Trips, Coastline Cruises and Lulworth and Weymouth RIB Rides all run from the harbour.
Flat water, reliable wind and the home of the 2012 Olympic sailing events. Paracademy Extreme runs kitesurf taster days and courses.
RYA courses and taster sessions with Weymouth Sailing and the Andrew Simpson Centre, kayak and paddleboard tours along the coast with Jurassic Coast Activities.
Guided jet ski tours along the Jurassic Coast from Cove Row in the harbour, no licence needed.
Portland is one of the best wreck diving spots in Britain. Old Harbour Dive Centre and Scimitar Diving run boats and courses.
A reed bed nature reserve in the middle of town with a visitor centre, hides and a flat, pushchair friendly circular walk. Listen for bearded tits and Cetti's warblers.
Walk east over the cliffs to Osmington Mills and the White Horse, or west round Portland Harbour to the Fleet. The X53 bus brings you back.
Playground, pitch and putt, model railway, skate park and the RSPB's Lodmoor marshes, along the seafront from the hotel.
Flat, family friendly cycle trails from Overcombe to Portland. Bikes and electric bikes from Jurassic Trails Cycle Hire and Jurassic Electric.
Weymouth Golf Club is a parkland course on the edge of town, Came Down sits high on the downs above Dorchester with sea views, and Lodmoor has a pitch and putt for a quick nine.
Outdoor courts at Greenhill Gardens and Radipole Gardens (free), indoor courts at Wey Valley Tennis Centre, and bowls at Weymouth Indoor Bowling Club and Greenhill.
An outdoor wooden skatepark on the seafront with sessions, lessons and hire.
Mackerel trips, deep sea and wreck fishing charters leave the harbour daily in season. Ask at the harbour kiosks or reception.
Reception know the area inside out: tide times for Chesil, which boat trips run today, where to eat crab on the harbour. Just ask.
