Weymouth & The Jurassic Coast

Sunday

We journey south arriving in Weymouth in the afternoon.

Monday

An excursion to discover the Isle of Purbeck. Arriving at Norden we board our train for a delightful ride on the Swanage Railway through pretty Corfe Castle to the lively seaside resort of Swanage.

Tuesday

A day at leisure in Weymouth to explore the award-winning beach, picturesque harbour and traffic-free centre.

Wednesday

Today, we travel via Chesil Beach - an 18-mile stretch of some 180 billion pebbles that joins Portland to Abbotsbury. As part of the Jurassic Coast, the area has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site - We continue to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, a woodland garden boasting large rhododendron and hydrangea collections and a glorious Victorian garden, Abbotsbury is world-famous for its camellia groves and magnolias. Next we visit Abbotsbury Swannery - the only place in the world where you can walk freely through colonies of nesting mute swans, where at any time, there may be as many as 1,000 of these graceful birds in the sanctuary.

Thursday

This morning we visit Dorchester, the county town of Dorset. Famous as the birthplace of the famous author and poet Thomas Hardy, the town has a rich history dating as far as the Iron Age. We continue to the remarkable 15th century Athelhampton House & Gardens, one of the finest Tudor houses in England. Here you can step back in time and view the beautiful historic house and stunning gardens.

Friday

Departing Weymouth we make our way home, pausing for a suitable stop for lunch en-route.