Round Ramble
This route meanders through vibrant parks, along our stunning coastline and with numerous opportunities to see wildlife along the way.
Key landmarks include the ‘Torpedosaurs’ sculpture, The Nothe Fort and the remains of Sandsfoot Castle. Families can enjoy a variety of child-friendly activities for play and exploration along the way. This route will take you through four of Weymouth Town Council’s gardens, two with Green Flag status. You will pass another landmark, The Kings Statue which is made of Coade stone, a form of ceramic, and is not a solid carved statue. It was painted a dull bronze colour when unveiled in 1810, until 1949 when today’s bright colours were first used.
Information
Distance: 14.9km (9.25miles)
Average Time: 4hrs 30mins (time may vary depending on pace)
Gradient: Mostly gentle but steep in places
Starting Point: Weymouth Park & Ride
Public Transport: N/A
Parking: Free parking at Weymouth Park & Ride operated by Dorset Council.
Accessibility: Most of this route is accessible by wheelchair except for the route through Nothe Gardens as access is via steps. Some of the gravel paths might be prone to become muddier.
Cycle: Most of the route is open to cyclists although there is a ban on the Promenade where no cycling is allowed between 10am to 5.30pm 1st May to 30th September. Please note no cycling is allowed in all the gardens except through Lodmoor.
Facilities
Eating: There will be many points along the route where you can access a variety of eateries offering a light lunch to a full meal, many offering local delicacies.
Toilets: There are toilet facilities in the Lodmoor Car Park, along the Esplanade, the Nothe Gardens, and most open all year round.
Point 1
From the Weymouth Park & Ride, walk towards the roundabout, then take the path to your left by the Weymouth and Portland ‘pineapple’ gateposts, before you reach the roundabout. You should be able to see the metal sculpture called the Torpedosaurs designed and created by Andy Kirkby. Continue along path until you reach the Weymouth Rugby Club.
Point 2
At this point you can stop for something to eat or drink, otherwise continue along the paved path for about 0.75 km until you reach Lodmoor Country Club.
Point 3
Continue to follow the path left across a bridge bordered by wooden posts and then take the right-hand side path which will take you past the outdoor gym equipment where you can give them a try.
Point 4
Continue along the tarmac path until you reach the children’s play areas where you can have a seat whilst the kids have a play.
Once you pass the play area this is where the Tree Trail/Orienteering course (map) begin, where you can discover all the fantastic trees and wildlife around the park. Otherwise just continue along the path which will bring you onto the car park areas so please ensure children are supervised.
Point 5
When you reach the end of the path take the route to your left which will take you past a variety of activities such as Sea Life Centre, Sandworld, Leisure Ranch and Pirate Adventure Mini Golf. Continue until you reach the traffic lights. There are toilets available adjacent to the entrance to the Sealife Centre.
Point 6
Cross at the traffic lights and continue until the chalets at which point there is signage for the Jurassic Rocks Café which is above the chalets and where the toilets are. There is also a second café – Seascape Cape at the entrance to the gardens.
Take a left and then right until you reach the seafront, then take a right along the Esplanade. There is an opportunity to use the toilets or stop for refreshments at the Café up the stairs by beach huts.
Point 7
There is an entrance further along the Promenade. You could try your luck at the Greenhill Putting Green or just sit on the benches to take in the beautiful gardens. Upon leaving Greenhill Gardens, continue along the Promenade towards town, passing the war memorials and the Jubilee Clock towards Weymouth Harbour. You will also pass the Royal Hotel which was built in c1772 and was known first as Stacie’s Hotel and eventually be filled with today’s terraces.
Continue along the Promenade until you reach the Jubilee Clock which is an iconic landmark for Weymouth. It was built and erected in 1888 to commemorate the 1887 Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It became Grade II listed in 1974.
Point 8
As you continue along the Promenade you will pass the Kings Statue which features a replica of a bathing machine. These machines were in use on the beach from the 1770s. The last machines were removed at the beginning of the 2nd World War and never returned.
Keep walking along the Promenade going towards the Pavilion. Then just past the red mine, cross the road in front of the Pavilion and turn right along the harbourside. Continue along Custom House Quay until you reach the Town Bridge. You can either take the steps towards the bridge or turn right into St Mary Street and then take the first left into St Edmund Street and continue until you reach the bridge.
This previously had the Harbour Railway and Tramway which was opened in 1865, 8 years after the railway reached Weymouth. It only carried goods at first along the quayside.
You will pass the restaurant called Hatch which used to be the old Fish Market which opened in 1855.
Point 9
As you cross over the bridge turn to your left and continue along the harbour wall following the signs for the Nothe Fort and keeping the harbour to your left. Just after the path bears right, you will see some stone steps. You can continue along the harbour wall until you reach the Stone Pier Café for a bite to eat or drink, then retracing your steps a couple of metres, there is a steep set of stairs taking you into the Nothe Gardens. Alternatively, you can take the steps up to the entrance of the gardens.
Point 10
You can explore Nothe Gardens, or just continue along the outer path which banks down to a concrete path which features a number of carved stone artworks depicting sea creatures. There are toilets at Nothe Gardens but they are the last for 4.5 kms when you get back to Weymouth Town. Follow the path until you reach some steps leading to a metal bridge over the road. After crossing the bridge the path has a steep incline and becomes gravel.
Point 11
Continue along the path until you reach Bincleaves open space which will give you spectacular views over towards Portland Harbour. There is also a monument dedicated to Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton who played a very significant role in the abolishment of slavery. Continue until you reach the road and at the first junction take a left into Belle Vue Road. At this point you are following the Coast Path.
Point 12
Continue along Belle Vue Road until you reach a junction, turn left down Old Castle Road and continue until you reach Sandsfoot Gardens and Castle. Stop for a rest or perhaps some refreshments from the Café. More details about Sandsfoot Castle can be found on their website.
Point 13
Upon leaving the gardens turn left then right where signposted Coastal path. When you reach the Rodwell Trail turn right and continue for about 2 kms until you reach the end identified by two stone pillars. Turn right and continue on to the dual path, pass under the subway and as you come out turn right on the path which brings you up to Westham Bridge over Radipole Lake.
Point 14
Cross over the bridge and take the path to your left. Continue under the road bridge until you reach the car park, follow the path to the right circling the car park past the public toilets until you reach the second set of traffic lights. Cross over the traffic lights and turn left, continue along pavement until you reach the end of the Retail Park. You will now be at the entrance to the Radipole Park and Gardens. Take a gentle stroll through these tree lined gardens which are always filled with a variety of shrubs, herbaceous perennials and bulbs.
Point 15
As work is being done to improve the rest of the gardens and park you will need to cross the road as you reach the tennis courts, then turn left and continue along the dual pathway that runs along the RSPB Nature Reserve’. Just before you reach the bend in the road you will see a notice saying “Welcome to Radipole Park & Gardens” – cross over at this point and take the path which will bring you out onto Coronation Crescent. Continue right along Coronation Crescent/Road and take the second road on the right. Continue along Kings Road until you come to Spa Road, cross at the traffic island and turn right. Please take care when crossing the busy road please.
Point 16
Cross the main road (using the traffic lights), turn right and take the left turning into Monmouth Avenue which will bring you back to the Rugby Club. Then retrace your steps to the Park & Ride.
