Weymouth is a Dorset seaside resort situated in a bay in the English Channel.
Weymouth was originally split in two. The South side of the harbour was Weymouth and the north side Melcombe Regis. The two places had many fights over who should be allowed to trade from the harbour. They became united in 1571 when Elizabeth I granted a Royal Charter.
The Port of Melcombe Regis was where in 1348 the Bubonic Plague entered England. It was brought in on the black rats that came over from the continent. The residents were frightened to stay in the vicinity in case they too caught the Black Death, as it was known, so moved away. Unfortunately many were already infected and it began to spread rapidly.
It was in 1588 that ships sailed from the harbour to meet the Spanish Armada. Six ships carried over two hundred men.
An extremely high tax was placed on Alcohol to stop the town becoming full of drunks every night. It certainly stopped the common folk drinking for they could not afford it. However it did increase smuggling. The smugglers would fight and even kill to keep their goods. People such and vicars and gentry were willing to help the smugglers and the smuggled wares would be hidden in churches and anywhere else where discovery was unlikely.
The White Chalk Horse and rider carved into the hillside was made in respect of George III who visited the town often. It is said that he disliked it because it showed him riding out of town and he took that to be that he was unwanted. However this was merely a rumour as it was not finished until some while after his death.
Sir Christopher Wren was MP for Weymouth in 1702 and was responsible to the Portland quarries. The stone used to build St. Paul’s Cathedral was of course Portland Stone.
The Jubilee clock at the end of King Street was erected to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 50th year of reign and is now one of Weymouth’s most famous landmarks.
On the 4th July 1930 a new town bridge, over the harbour, was opened. There have been six bridges the first was built in the 16th century. The road is closed for two hours a day to let tall masted ships pass through.
Weymouth has always been known for fishing and tourism and although fishing has declined the tourist trade is still as strong as ever.
Weymouth harbour is a ferry port for Europe and also for pleasure craft. Just around the bay Portland harbour is home to Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and where the 2012 Olympic sailing events will be held.
Weymouth harbour is long and narrow with the inner harbour now being a marina with hundred of berths for pleasure craft. It was originally used for fishing fleets, passenger trade and also for cargoes of wool and spices.
Georgian houses are along most of the Esplanade and these would once have been large family houses they are now apartments or hotels.
Properties to rent are available with costs of around £450 - £495pcm for a l bed flat, £495 - £675pcm for a 2 bed flat and £650 - £725pcm for a 3 bed house.
Weymouth is a perfect place to live, holiday or just visit. It’s a town with shops, beaches and harbour. The Isle of Portland, just across the bay, is rugged and the ideal place for a ‘get away from it all’ holiday.
The town’s old brewery is now a museum and a popular tourist attraction.
Weymouth has two lakes both of which are RSPB nature reserves, an aquarium and a skate park.
The Pavilion area redevelopment will be ready for the 2012 Olympics and will include a marina, housing, shops, a World Heritage Centre, new theatre, 4 star hotel and a new ferry terminal.
The beach is Weymouth’s ‘crowning glory’ and the swimming is safe. The beach is also used for volleyball, handball and motorcross and several events are held throughout the year bringing many visitors to the area.
The railway used to run on public roads along the Harbour Tramway to Quay Station until 1987. The railway now links Weymouth to London and Bristol. The town is also on the A354 that meets the A35 at Dorchester.
Weymouth has two shopping centres. One in Melcombe Regis, here there are also two further shopping streets and a few shops are on the Esplanade. In 2005 the second centre opened and has 292 shops. Some of the shops that can be found in Weymouth include Top Shop, Bay Trading, Monsoon, Adams, Papoose and New Look. The New Look Fashion Company have their head office in Weymouth.
The area has plenty of holiday accommodation including guest houses, hotels and camp sites.
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