ON SUNNY days in summer there’s no doubt there is a perpetual holiday atmosphere in Weymouth.

There are people relaxing in St Thomas Street on the seats chatting with friends, loaded with shopping and with children in buggies, often with a bit of live music being played in the background.

These days there are numerous quality coffee shops, bistros, restaurants and family pubs and favourite fish and chip shops to pop in to for a meal or a drink whether in the main streets, along the harbourside, along the length of the Esplanade or over the bridge in Hope Square.

The variety is enormous now, too, with speciality Italian, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Spanish and traditional English fare restaurants. There are also many fine attractions in the borough which residents often forget to visit unless they have guests.

Starting at Lodmoor Country Park there is Weymouth Sea Life Park and marine sanctuary. The spectacular sights include sea horses, seals, penguins, sharks, otters and much more, and now, new this year, is the turtle sanctuary.

Next door is Pirate Adventure and Mini Golf, and nearby are the Cresta Run, Go Carts, Pitch and Putt, Speedy Coaster, Skatepark and the RSPB nature reserve.

Park and Ride times from Lodmoor to town are on the map on the following pages.

The land train which runs along the Esplanade in summer stops just across the road.

A wonderful way of spending an hour or two is in a tranquil garden, especially if it has the promise of a Dorset cream tea afterwards, like both Bennetts Water Gardens at Chickerell and Upwey Wishing Well and Gardens.

Bennetts is one of Europe’s oldest water lily nurseries.

There are eight acres of lakes, ponds and meandering paths to enjoy as well as a museum, tropical house, family nature trail, aquatic centre and tea rooms.

Upwey Wishing Well and Water Gardens are fed by a large natural spring. Find out how Granny Jollife and Granny Smith were appointed as glass givers – and what were they?

By the harbour on Commercial Quay you’ll find the magnificent soft play area that is Sharky’s party and play warehouse, an all weather children’s adventure play zone with the fascinating museum Deep Sea Adventure upstairs.

Why does it do that!? Find out at Discovery in Brewers Quay, also home to Weymouth Museum and Timewalk. Nearby in Trinity Street is one of Weymouth’s few remaining Tudor buildings which is open for guided tours for the summer.

The Nothe Fort and Museum of Coastal Defence contains displays and models demonstrating the everyday life of Victorian and WWII soldiers. A superb venue for outdoor events, it hosts the Victorian Military Festival and the Matchstick Fleet in August. And across the water beckons Henry VIII’s Portland Castle, visited by thousands for its atmosphere – and, maybe, for its ghosts...