West Bay combines the South West Coast Path with beaches of contrasting character and boat trips on the water. You can tailor your stay to your interests, whether that means time at the beach, a self-guided walk or a trip along the Jurassic Coast.
Two beaches with distinct character
East Beach is a sloping shingle beach lined with sandstone cliffs. Above the beach, the golden cliffs rise vertically to a height of 50 m. West Beach offers a contrast: the bay is shallow and suitable for paddling. If you’re planning time at the beach, you’ll find two different kinds of coastline rather than one uniform stretch.
West Beach has ramps, a beach mat during the high season, and beach wheelchairs available to borrow free of charge. The beach mat is seasonal, so check what facilities are available before your visit. The Jurassic Pier also offers a specific point of reference: it is accessible to wheelchair users and has seating. These details can help you consider the beach and pier as separate stops, without assuming their conditions are the same.
Walking routes and coastal views from the water
West Bay is on the South West Coast Path, a National Trail. For a self-guided walk, there is also West Cliff & Eype, a walking route put together by the West Bay Discovery Centre. The difference is in the type of route: you can include either the National Trail or a locally compiled route in your plans. West Cliff & Eype is intended to be walked independently.
Boat trips along the Jurassic Coast are offered from West Bay Harbour. RIB trips provide close-up views of cliffs and coastal landmarks that can only be seen from the sea. A 15-minute RIB trip is also available. Check the availability of trips before your visit. This gives you the option of taking in coastal views from the water as well as following routes on land when planning your day.
A river trip and a break by the water
If you’d like to include a river trip in your plans, West Bay River Boats offers rowing trips on the River Brit. This is a different water activity from the boat trips along the coast that depart from the harbour. Operator offerings may change, so check the latest information before travelling.
For a break, The Watch House café has spacious outdoor seating with coastal views. You can take a seated break outdoors without confusing it with a beach visit or boat trip. Check the café’s latest information before your visit.
Planning your journey and stay
The nearest railway stations to West Bay are Axminster and Dorchester, both around a 20-minute drive away. The X53 Jurassic Coast and X51 bus services connect to West Bay. When planning your journey, take these different transport options into account and check the timetables before travelling.
Your planned activities can help you choose a hotel: would you like to focus on walking routes and the beach, plan boat trips or consider a rowing trip on the River Brit? West Bay offers specific options that are distinct from one another. Plan your stay around the activities that matter to you, and bear in mind the relevant conditions for seasonal facilities and operator-run trips.
Discover more destinations: Chickerell, West Moors, Lyme Regis, Piddlehinton, Worth Matravers, Hyde, Toller Porcorum, Weymouth
For the broader travel guide: Dorset.
