WEYMOUTH Old Harbour is one of the magical elements of the town with the traditional working harbour and fishing boats going in and out all year.

The harbour walk now stretches all the way from the private marina on Commercial Quay on the Melcombe Regis side of the River Wey, right round to the Pavilion Theatre – and then you can walk further on around the pier.

On the Pavilion side of the harbour you will also find an excellent soft play area for children and, in the same building, the diving museum.

Also on this side is the harbourmaster’s office, HM Coastguard headquarters, the Royal Dorset Yacht Club and facilities for visiting yachtsmen. The privately-run Weymouth Marina accessed by going under the town bridge has berthing for some 290 vessels, max size 20 metres. High quality off and onshore facilities, often said to be the best on the south coast, include showers, toilets and laundry.

The harbour area features numerous quality restaurants, pubs, bistros and cafes and coffee shops. This area is also notable for historic buildings of great variety.

The Tudor House is open to the public but that’s across the Town Bridge so this is where we are headed now, passing an array of gift, souvenir and art shops, a hair salon, great wine bar, historic pubs, award-winning cosy restaurants, fish and chip shops, in Trinity Street an art gallery up in the old sail loft, the beautifully restored Hope Congregational Chapel, home to Weymouth Operatic Society and the Tudor House, owned by Weymouth Civic Society.

BREWERS QUAY

Brewers Quay in Hope Square is the famous colonnade of some 30 specialist shops, many relating to gifts such as glassware, leather goods, food, shops for collectors and arts and craftspeople and a character restaurant/tea room. Attractions include Weymouth Museum, Timewalk and the science-based centre Discovery, all in the former brewery.

HARBOUR TRADERS’ ASSOCIATION

First established in 1989, the Harbour Traders’ Association’s main aim is to promote the old harbour area of Weymouth to both visitors and local people.

The long term aim of the organisation is to see the harbourside developed on a European model with much more activity and alfresco dining than exists at present. The HTA has funded the website www.weymoutholdharbour.co.uk and is involved with a number of habourside events.

If you would like more information about membership please email the chairman Roger Dalton at info@weymoutholdharbour.co.uk or telephone 01305 777622.