Weymouth Harbour

The modern town of Weymouth was once actually two competing ports, Weymouth on the south side and Melcombe Regis on the north. The competition became fierce as the two battled for trade. In 1571 Queen Elizabeth I intervened and united them into a single town with a single port authority

The port prospered and in the 1880s the railway line was extended to carry trains right along the quay to the waiting cargo vessels. Much of this trade was with the Channel Islands and in the last century the harbourside was busy with imported tomatoes, flowers and vegetables. The line also carried passenger traffic which delivered passengers for the channel islands ferry directly to the ship berth. The Goods service ceased in the 1970s and the last passenger service was in 1987, although it was used up till 1999 for special charters. The lines can still be seen running through the streets of the town to the docks.

In 1921 a dam across the river was built to ensure the water level in the harbour – this replaced an earlier dam which was finally removed in 1995 when the harbour was dredged to improve access.

The Harbour today is a mixture of small pleasure craft; working fishing boats; luxury cruisers and tourist boats. Until last year it remained a port for the Channel Islands ferry service, but this has now relocated to Poole Harbour.