West Bay Harbour
West Bay Harbour
4.5
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- rarewordsBuckingham, United Kingdom18 contributionsLovely PlaceI used to holiday here as a child and not been back since 1979. Spent a week here, lovely early morning walks on beach and round the harbour with my dog. Considering there are plenty of bins around there is no excuse for people not picking up their dogs poo.Visited October 2023Travelled soloWritten 15 October 2023
- maxinemUnited Kingdom170 contributionsBusy little harbourVisited West Bay today it was very busy as gig racing. Lovely to walk around the harbour. Bought ice creams sat on harbour wall and enjoyed watching the very busy harbour.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 June 2024
- Samantha-louise MWeymouth, United Kingdom20 contributionsLovely day out at West bayLovely little village to visit for the day. There's a good park for the kids to keep them busy. Plenty of restaurants or shops etc to get food or drinks. Grate for crabbing or going to the beach. They have an arcade there or even just a nice stroll to keep the kids entertained.Visited September 2024Travelled with familyWritten 16 September 2024
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4.5
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Hedgepiggler
Dorset, UK19 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We booked harbour view through holiday cottages Dorset so we thought it would be ok.
Oh boy we’re we wrong on the 1st morning we woke up there were 2 jcb diggers outside are window hammering it started before 8am great start not.
They were putting new wood around the harbour and had a lot to put in so would be there all week.
So we contacted holiday cottages and they said they would have to ask the owner if we could get out of are booking and offered us nothing the owner called us back and said her mum had a cottage in Bridport so we had a look.
We decided to take this as this was are only choice but not very happy as we booked sea view and got stuck in a town a lot different than sea view.
When we got to the cottage in bridport we had to pick up a lot of dog poo in garden the shower was broke and there was something crawling in the kitchen celing.
Also it was freezing in there they had signs saying don’t touch any dials to turn it up we spent a fortune on wood for the wood burner.
So to sum it up we booked a lovely sea view apartment and got a sleazy cottage and holiday cottages didn’t give a dam they take your money and take no blame for anything
Oh boy we’re we wrong on the 1st morning we woke up there were 2 jcb diggers outside are window hammering it started before 8am great start not.
They were putting new wood around the harbour and had a lot to put in so would be there all week.
So we contacted holiday cottages and they said they would have to ask the owner if we could get out of are booking and offered us nothing the owner called us back and said her mum had a cottage in Bridport so we had a look.
We decided to take this as this was are only choice but not very happy as we booked sea view and got stuck in a town a lot different than sea view.
When we got to the cottage in bridport we had to pick up a lot of dog poo in garden the shower was broke and there was something crawling in the kitchen celing.
Also it was freezing in there they had signs saying don’t touch any dials to turn it up we spent a fortune on wood for the wood burner.
So to sum it up we booked a lovely sea view apartment and got a sleazy cottage and holiday cottages didn’t give a dam they take your money and take no blame for anything
Written 27 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cherriesfan_9
Cheltenham, UK6,573 contributions
Sept 2020
Not having seen "Broadchurch" we were a bit at a loss to follow and appreciate the various locations featured in the drama. That said we enjoyed West Bay, the harbour does not have the postcard pretty features of nearby Lyme Regis, but it does have a gritty realness with its working harbour.
The harbour itself is protected by two piers jutting out into the English Channel. Inside of the sheltered harbour Inshore fishing boats and trawlers are side by side with Dive boats and some pleasure craft.
For visitors, the holiday mix of an interesting view , with ice cream kiosks / cafes / pubs also fish and chip huts makes, for many, a traditional day at the seaside.
The nearby beach needs a bit more management as the "storm" ledge have made a big drop all along the beach to the waters edge. As with this part of West Dorset, the beaches here are more stone than sand, and at West Bay the tide has over the years ensured medium size stones. Good cafes and pubs nearby.
Great place for just watching and wandering.
The harbour itself is protected by two piers jutting out into the English Channel. Inside of the sheltered harbour Inshore fishing boats and trawlers are side by side with Dive boats and some pleasure craft.
For visitors, the holiday mix of an interesting view , with ice cream kiosks / cafes / pubs also fish and chip huts makes, for many, a traditional day at the seaside.
The nearby beach needs a bit more management as the "storm" ledge have made a big drop all along the beach to the waters edge. As with this part of West Dorset, the beaches here are more stone than sand, and at West Bay the tide has over the years ensured medium size stones. Good cafes and pubs nearby.
Great place for just watching and wandering.
Written 22 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew B
Blandford Forum, UK24 contributions
Nov 2022
We love West Bay and regularly travel there for days out as we live in Dorset. Over the last few years we have usually travelled there in our motorhome and parked in the Station Yard car park, where there were designated motorhome bays.
Unfortunately, these bays have now been moved to the West Bay Road car park and we told of this by a very grumpy Enforcement Officer.
Motorhomes are classified on the information board as anything in which you could live in, so this includes even day vans like VW Transporters.
In the West Bay Road car park there are a number of bays marked for motorhomes under 6 metres and only 4 bays for vehicles over 6 metres - realistically anything bigger than a 2 berth.
The under 6 m bays are exactly 6 metres long and the lane to enter and exit is about 6 metres wide. Manoeuvring could be tight if the bays are full up or cars have overshot the spaces opposite, as they had when we visited.
The bays in the Station Yard car park were well positioned and easy to get in and out of at any time. The new bays in West Bay Road car park are poorly positioned and are likely to be difficult to use at bust times.
Unfortunately, these bays have now been moved to the West Bay Road car park and we told of this by a very grumpy Enforcement Officer.
Motorhomes are classified on the information board as anything in which you could live in, so this includes even day vans like VW Transporters.
In the West Bay Road car park there are a number of bays marked for motorhomes under 6 metres and only 4 bays for vehicles over 6 metres - realistically anything bigger than a 2 berth.
The under 6 m bays are exactly 6 metres long and the lane to enter and exit is about 6 metres wide. Manoeuvring could be tight if the bays are full up or cars have overshot the spaces opposite, as they had when we visited.
The bays in the Station Yard car park were well positioned and easy to get in and out of at any time. The new bays in West Bay Road car park are poorly positioned and are likely to be difficult to use at bust times.
Written 25 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elizabethlV6977MN
Bournemouth, UK161 contributions
Oct 2020
Enjoyed a longer stop than planned on our way home from Cornwall at West Bay. It was a beautiful beach to walk northwards from the harbour with 3 dogs. Fossils to find and wonderfully interesting rocks to pick up and study. Great views. We'll walk the grassy slopes the next visit for a different view of the same coastline.
The harbour itself it very picturesque with hills overlooking and boats moored for pleasure and fishermen.
We ate some of the best Fish & Chips we've had from a small cafe called Snack Shack.
Really lovely place we'll visit again for longer next time.
The harbour itself it very picturesque with hills overlooking and boats moored for pleasure and fishermen.
We ate some of the best Fish & Chips we've had from a small cafe called Snack Shack.
Really lovely place we'll visit again for longer next time.
Written 12 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brit holiday fans
Plymouth, UK141 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
What a beautiful place. We visited here on our way home from a trip to Bournemouth. We had booked a caravan holiday to stay here earlier in the year but sadly due to Covid it was cancelled, so we wanted to see what we were missing...it certainly confirmed to us that we were disappointed it didn't go ahead, what a beautiful place West Bay is.
We parked in the first car park you come to and it was £2 all day! Brilliant value and literally about two minutes away from the harbour. There are a number of food huts dotted around the harbour which looked fab, we went to Rachel's hut and I cannot recommend it enough it was incredible!
The beach was absolutely beautiful and you could see it went on for miles. Sadly as this was just a pit stop for us, we weren't dressed properly for a decent walk so didn't go too far along the beach and the tide was coming in too.
Looking up at the cliffs was incredible.
We will definitely be back to walk further on the beach or cliff tops, fishing in the harbour and more food from Rachel's!
Definitely worth a visit. No matter what age you are, from young to old there's plenty to enjoy here for a relaxing day.
We parked in the first car park you come to and it was £2 all day! Brilliant value and literally about two minutes away from the harbour. There are a number of food huts dotted around the harbour which looked fab, we went to Rachel's hut and I cannot recommend it enough it was incredible!
The beach was absolutely beautiful and you could see it went on for miles. Sadly as this was just a pit stop for us, we weren't dressed properly for a decent walk so didn't go too far along the beach and the tide was coming in too.
Looking up at the cliffs was incredible.
We will definitely be back to walk further on the beach or cliff tops, fishing in the harbour and more food from Rachel's!
Definitely worth a visit. No matter what age you are, from young to old there's plenty to enjoy here for a relaxing day.
Written 9 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rod Evans
2 contributions
Oct 2020 • Solo
After visiting west bay on a very wet and windy day I visited the Cornish bakery for a warm up and a hot drink, I was made to feel very welcome by the staff and had service with a smile. I will be recommending to friends. I will also say that the measures to protect customers and staff from covid is outstanding. Keep up the good work.
Written 28 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
machinmad
Yaxley, UK2,577 contributions
Oct 2020
The large NT car park is right on the beach edge, with views clear across the bay. We were there, as were lots of other people, to see the sun go down on a beautiful Autumn day. Wisps of cloud interrupt the suns journey as it descended below the horizon, creating golden orange and purple colours that filled the whole sky.
Written 22 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann H
York, UK2,545 contributions
Jun 2022
We really didn't know what to expect when we arrived after a visit to nearby Bridport but we were very pleasantly surprised with what we found. A pretty harbour, beach area and a marina together with lovely little kiosks, cafes and shops - something for everyone to enjoy. More upmarket restaurants and pubs as well made this a great all round destination.
Written 31 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
john s
15 contributions
Aug 2023
West Bay Harbour near Bridport, Dorset, UK. Charming little place, no real attraction apart from a stony beach and a harbour for mainly very small local dinghys and the odd inshore fishing vessel. Essentially the place is fairly pointless but busy with many tourists wandering aimlessly about wondering what they were actually doing there.
It is however a very good launch pad for some great walks along the South Coast path, especially if you don't mind steep hills and less often trodden paths once away from the main town. All very well sign posted.
However the car park in West Bay is very expensive. Stupid really as it is the council attempting to wring every last penny out of the poor motorist with extortionate fees. We would have almost certainly stayed far longer had it not been for the pressing need to arrange a second mortgage to pay the exorbitant parking fees. Thus depriving the local traders of our custom. Short sighted greed by the council or what. Will probably not bother to visit this quaint little spot again as a result.
It is however a very good launch pad for some great walks along the South Coast path, especially if you don't mind steep hills and less often trodden paths once away from the main town. All very well sign posted.
However the car park in West Bay is very expensive. Stupid really as it is the council attempting to wring every last penny out of the poor motorist with extortionate fees. We would have almost certainly stayed far longer had it not been for the pressing need to arrange a second mortgage to pay the exorbitant parking fees. Thus depriving the local traders of our custom. Short sighted greed by the council or what. Will probably not bother to visit this quaint little spot again as a result.
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
natters14
Portsmouth, UK3,331 contributions
Sept 2020
Lovely setting especially on a nice day.
The Harbour has a number of food huts dotted around along with pubs, cafes and a few places to stay. There’s a great tradition for crabbing here too particularly for families and little ones.
Having visited a few times now, I would say there is a need for more seating areas especially during busy times but also undercover in bad weather.
The Harbour has a number of food huts dotted around along with pubs, cafes and a few places to stay. There’s a great tradition for crabbing here too particularly for families and little ones.
Having visited a few times now, I would say there is a need for more seating areas especially during busy times but also undercover in bad weather.
Written 12 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How do dogs get to the East Cliff beach without walking over the main East Beach (where they aren’t allowed during the Summer Months), apparently there’s a path but haven’t seen any pictures of a path leading to the East Cliff Beach without walking over the main East Beach so confused as to how we will get to the East Cliff beach without receiving a fine.
Written 2 June 2019
Park in the East Beach carpark and walk towards the cliff base to the left.Keep near to the houses on the left and the dog allowed area starts at the base of the cliff and goes left along the beach as far as you want. DO NOT STAY UNDER THE CLIFFS as they are unstable and can fall with no warning.Keep as near to the sea as is safe.Enjoy your walk
Written 2 June 2019
Why does the car park when you first go into West Bay not allow camper van to park (and pay)?
Written 10 April 2019
Hi -wish I could give you a definitive answer, as per previous comments, I believe you can park there during the day (although there are not that many spaces for campers unless using the coach parking slots as well) but overnight parking is not allowed as there are camp sites for camper vans etc, sorry cannot provide much more detail.
Written 11 April 2019
Does anyone know what is happening with the 'West Bay live webcam'?
The new one keeps freezing. (Weymouth and Lyme Regis are still OK).
Written 28 August 2018
The current West Bay webcam located down by the harbour is terrible compared to the previous one that was located at West Cliff Road.
Both the council and the harbour master have been approached, with no success.
Written 3 June 2019
There is a large play area at beside the first car park when entering West Bay on the left.
If you are there at the end of August there is an annual 'fare ground amusement' field.
Written 27 June 2018
is there any galleries in westbay
Written 12 February 2018
Yes there are several but not sure where they are
Written 20 August 2018
Does anyone know if the Chap who sells Prints/Frames at the Quayside West Bay is there everyday or only certain days, Many Thanks...
Written 30 May 2017
His Name is Kes Renford and is there suring the summer when the sun shines
Written 12 July 2017
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