Spending Christmas in Weymouth: A Christmas by the Sea

What could be more special than spending Christmas by the sea?

Weymouth is perhaps best known for its summer holidays, golden beach and busy harbour, but there is something completely different about the town at Christmas. The crowds are smaller, the air is cold and salty, the beach is often wonderfully quiet and the sea takes on a completely different character.

The Christmas lights bring a little sparkle to the town, while the harbour, seafront and historic streets take on a festive atmosphere. There may be Christmas events, late-night shopping, Santa's grottos, festive meals and even the traditional Christmas Day swim for those brave enough to face the water.

And then there is the simple pleasure of being beside the sea at Christmas.

Whether you are staying in Weymouth for the whole festive period, visiting family, spending Christmas in a holiday cottage or simply escaping to the coast for a few days, Christmas in Weymouth can be a wonderfully different kind of Christmas to the Christmas you know at home.

Christmas Eve in Weymouth

Christmas Eve is perhaps one of the nicest times to experience Weymouth.

As daylight fades, the town begins to take on a different atmosphere. The Christmas lights start to glow, the harbour becomes increasingly atmospheric and there is often a sense that the frantic preparations of the previous few weeks are finally coming to an end.

A Christmas Eve stroll along the seafront can be a lovely way to begin the festivities.

The beach is likely to be much quieter than it would be during the summer. The sound of the sea replaces the noise of the holiday crowds, while the lights of the town provide a festive backdrop along the promenade.

You might walk along the seafront, pause to look out across the bay, wander towards the harbour or simply find somewhere to stop and watch the world go by.

There is something particularly peaceful about standing beside the sea on Christmas Eve.

The presents have been bought. The Christmas dinner is waiting for tomorrow. Children are becoming increasingly excited about Christmas morning. And for a few moments, there is nowhere else you need to be.

Christmas Morning by the Sea

Christmas morning in Weymouth can begin with one of the simplest pleasures of all: stepping outside into the fresh winter air.

After the excitement of Christmas morning, you might head down towards the seafront for a walk before settling in for Christmas lunch.

The contrast with summer Weymouth can be striking. Instead of packed pavements and a busy beach, there may be only a handful of people out enjoying the morning. The sea can look wild and dramatic, or calm and peaceful depending on the weather.

For families, it can be a chance for children to get outside and make use of their new toys. A new football can be kicked around on the beach. A new scooter can be taken for a first ride. Or perhaps the children simply want to run around while the adults enjoy the view.

Christmas doesn't have to mean staying indoors all day.

A winter walk beside the sea can be the perfect way to clear your head before Christmas lunch.

A Christmas Day Swim

For some people, a Christmas Day walk along the beach isn't quite adventurous enough.

Christmas swimming has become a much-loved tradition in many coastal communities, and Weymouth has its own Christmas Day swim. Dependant on the weather and local conditions.

For those taking part, it is certainly one way to make Christmas Day memorable.

For everyone else, it can be just as enjoyable to wrap up warm and watch the swimmers take the plunge. The sight of people entering the cold winter water while most of us are thinking about Christmas dinner is certainly not something you see every day.

Other parts of Dorset also have their own festive swimming traditions, so if you are staying elsewhere along the coast, it is worth checking what is happening locally.

Christmas Lunch in Weymouth

Eventually, of course, there comes a time when even the most enthusiastic winter walker needs to head indoors.

Christmas lunch is one of the great traditions of the day, and spending Christmas in Weymouth gives you the option of enjoying it in your accommodation or booking somewhere for a festive meal.

If you are planning to eat out, book well in advance. Christmas meals can be extremely popular, particularly in a seaside resort where visitors may be staying for several days.

There is also something rather lovely about returning from a cold walk beside the sea to the warmth of your accommodation, with Christmas lunch waiting and the rest of the afternoon stretching ahead.

Christmas Afternoon and Evening

After Christmas lunch, Weymouth gives you another opportunity to do something that is often missing from a busy Christmas at home: simply go for a walk.

You could head towards the harbour, stroll along the seafront or explore the quieter paths around the Nothe.

The Nothe Gardens and the area around Newton's Cove can be particularly enjoyable in winter. There may be fewer people around, giving you the chance to appreciate the coastline without the crowds of summer.

A walk up the stone pier can also be a nice short walk to enjoy the sea air.

As darkness arrives, the Christmas lights begin to take over again.

There is something special about seeing festive lights reflected against the darkness of a winter evening, particularly when the sound of the sea is never far away.

Boxing Day by the Sea

Boxing Day can be the perfect day for a longer coastal walk.

After the excitement of Christmas Day, getting outside for some fresh air can be exactly what you need. Weymouth's seafront, harbour, Nothe Gardens and Newton's Cove all offer opportunities to stretch your legs and see the coast from a different perspective.

Whilst many enjoy a longer walk around Weymouth, others may visit another close by resort and take the opportunity to enjoy the festive charm there too.

The beach can be almost unrecognisable compared with its summer appearance. There are no rows of sunbathers, fewer people and none of the usual rush to find the perfect spot.

Instead, there is the winter sea, fresh air and plenty of space.

Boxing Day by the coast can be a wonderful antidote to Christmas Day. After spending much of the previous day indoors, a walk beside the sea gives everyone a chance to get some exercise and enjoy Weymouth's coastline.

Christmas Shopping in Weymouth

Christmas in Weymouth isn't only about walks along the beach.

During the run-up to Christmas, the town has a festive atmosphere as people finish their Christmas shopping, browse for last-minute presents and enjoy the Christmas lights.

Some businesses may offer late-night shopping or special Christmas events, while families may find Santa's grottos and other festive activities taking place during December.

Because Christmas opening hours and events can change from year to year, always check the latest information before making a special journey.

Christmas in Other Parts of Dorset

If you are spending Christmas in Dorset rather than staying exclusively in Weymouth, there are plenty of other coastal and countryside traditions to discover.

Christmas swims take place at various locations, while towns and villages across the county may have Christmas markets, festive events, lights, seasonal walks and special activities.

The advantage of being in Dorset at Christmas is that you can combine a traditional festive break with some of the county's spectacular coastline and countryside.

A winter walk along the Jurassic Coast can feel a world away from the busy summer season, while Weymouth provides an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area.

Christmas by the Sea Is Different

In summer, Weymouth is full of life. The beach is busy, the streets are crowded and the harbour is surrounded by holidaymakers. Christmas brings almost the complete opposite.

The mornings can be cold and fresh. The streets are quieter. The beach may be almost empty. The sea can be rough and dramatic, or beautifully calm.

You can walk along the promenade without the summer crowds. You can stand beside the harbour and watch the boats. You can wander through the Nothe Gardens or around Newton's Cove and hear little more than the wind and the sea.

And for families, there is something particularly memorable about seeing children enjoying their new presents in a completely different setting.

A new bike or scooter can be taken out for its first ride. A football can be kicked around on the beach. Children can run along the sand while their parents wrap up against the cold and watch them play.

It is still Christmas - just a Christmas with the sea as its backdrop.

Perhaps that is what makes spending Christmas in Weymouth so appealing. You don't need a packed itinerary. You don't need to be constantly entertained.

Sometimes you can simply walk beside the water, breathe in the salty winter air and enjoy being somewhere different.

And when evening comes, you can return to the warmth of your accommodation, settle down after a day beside the coast and look forward to another winter morning in Weymouth.

Christmas by the sea may be quieter than a summer holiday, but for some people, that is exactly what makes it special.