Weymouth second best beach in UK due to parking charges

The beach, which was previously named the best in Britain by TripAdvisor in February and The Times in 2023, has been pipped to the top spot in a new poll due to the average cost of parking being £1.25 higher on average than the first placed beach.

Weymouth Beach was beaten to the top spot by Tynemouth Beach in the north east of England.

Tynemouth came out on top after scoring better on the average price of parking.

According to the study it costs around £3 for up to four hours in Tynemouth, compared to Weymouth's £4.25 (average drawn from council car parks and other sites. In council car parks this price is a lot more).

The cost of parking at Dorset Council car parks has led to a huge backlash locally with businesses fearing visitors will be put off by the high charges.

READ MORE: Weymouth parking prices 'unacceptable' despite price freeze

New prices were introduced in March 2023, to increase the cost in what the council described as "busy tourist areas".

Nigel Sims-Duff, owner of the Palm House Café, collected more than 7,000 names for a protest petition claiming the charges were damaging Weymouth’s economy.

Speaking to the Echo in March, he said: “There is no guarantee that tourists who were put off by the high parking last year will come back this year.

“People in Weymouth are paying double or treble and it is unacceptable."

In summer, parking in Weymouth (Dorset Council car parks only) is £1.50 for up to 30 mins, £3 for up to an hour, and £4.50 for up to two hours, £6 for three hours, £7.50 for four hours and £15 for 10 hours.

Outdoor clothing brand Millets analysed Google reviews, water quality ratings, ocean temperatures, beach facilities, accessibility and parking costs to reveal the best coastal towns in England and Wales ahead of the long weekend.

READ MORE: Weymouth café hits out at Dorset Council car park prices

A spokesperson for Millets said: "Weymouth Beach is located at the very heart of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site that stretches the southern coast of England.

"Weymouth Beach has an overall Google Review score of 4.7 out of 5, from more than 5,000 reviews.

"The Environment Agency also gave this beach’s water quality rating of 3 out of 3, and the warmest water temperature recorded is 16.8 Celsius as of 2023.

"The average cost of parking however is £4.25, a bit more expensive than in Tynemouth.

"Weymouth Beach also has a promenade, making it easier to have a serene stroll along the beachfront.

"Additionally, they have beach wheelchairs for those who need them, as well as a ramp down to the beach for wheelchair users."

The other coastal locations in the top 10 were Poole, Clacton-on-Sea, Wallasey, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Torquay, Gosport and Birkenhead.

On Weymouth seafront, tourists gave their views about the price of parking and whether it would stop them from visiting the beach.

Jason and Katie from Dorchester drove down to Weymouth to visit the beach.

Jason said: "We love coming to Weymouth, it's only a short drive down to the beach and we love it here.

"We don't come as often anymore because it just costs way too much."

Michel and Esther visited on holiday from The Netherlands, travelling in a campervan.

Michel and Esther visited Weymouth on holiday from The Netherlands (Image: Tom Lawrence)

Michel said: "Parking is a lot but we know it is more expensive to have a bigger vehicle.

"For us, it is not a problem because in Holland it is much more expensive to park."