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. During the afternoon, we take the Sandbanks chain ferry to Poole, and enjoy some free time to explore the historic quay area with its fine array of shops.

Tuesday

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

Wednesday

Today, we travel to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, a woodland garden of splendid trees and shrubs of immense variety. On our Summer departures in June, July & September we are pleased to include a much-requested visit to Abbotsbury Swannery. Truly a unique attraction, the Swannery gives visitors the opportunity to walk through the heart of a colony of nesting Mute Swans. Originally established by Benedictine Monks who built a monastery at Abbotsbury during the 1040’s. The monks farmed the swans to produce food for their lavish Dorset banquets. Today, the Swannery is under the stewardship of the Ilchester Estates. Observe the 600 swans in the two daily mass feeds. Please note that the swans at Abbotsbury are all free flying, this is a sanctuary, not a zoo. There are no cages.

Thursday

We take a morning excursion to the Isle of Portland, a peninsula joined to the mainland by the narrow spit of Chesil Beach. The amazing views of Weymouth and the Dorset coast are as famous as the local ‘Portland stone’, a much-prized limestone used in civic buildings throughout the U.K. We include a guided tour of Portland Castle, before returning to Weymouth for some free time.

Friday

Departing Weymouth we make a stop for lunch in historic Salisbury before heading home.