West Bay West Beach

Located to the south of the town of Bridport, West Bay – West Beach – also called West Beach and West Bay Esplanade Beach – is a sand-and-shingle beach with two nearby rocky breakwaters in southwestern England. This beach is located near the Bridport Harbor and within the county of Dorset. It is part of a larger beach area named West Bay Beach. West Bay Beach UK – West Beach should not be confused with another beach with a similar name called West Bay – East Beach – which is nearby and much larger in size. 

Although West Bay Beach – West Beach does not have lifeguards, the beach has many other amenities including nearby restrooms, picnic areas, a pier named Jurassic Pier, a walkway, benches, a nearby harbor, a nearby kids’ play area, and observation areas. 

Dogs are allowed on the eastern part of this beach between the beginning of October and the end of April. In addition, they are allowed on the western part of this beach throughout the year.

West Bay – West Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, fishing, swimming, boating, paddleboarding, snorkeling, jet-skiing, surf-skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife watching. 

This beach is ideal for beginner swimmers because the clear water here offers gentle waves. If you are planning to swim, kayak, or paddleboard here, we recommend being careful because the water here is known to have unpredictable rip currents and dangerous waves. This beach is ideal for visitors looking for a quieter beach experience because it sees fewer visitors as compared to other nearby beaches. 

West Bay – West Beach has ramps for disabled visitors. In addition, it also has a wheelchair-friendly access mat for visitors with disabilities in spring and summer. In addition, it also offers beach wheelchairs to disabled visitors – in addition, it also offers an amphibious beach wheelchair for a fee. You can either call a local holiday park at 07342 236443 or you can visit the website of the Bridport Town Council for more information on the wheelchair booking details.

Getting to West Bay – West Beach is easy – from a major local road named A35, you need to turn towards West Bay Road. From West Bay Road, you need to turn towards George Street and then towards Quayside. Quayside will eventually lead you towards Esplanade – this beach is located along Esplanade. There is a paid parking lot near this beach named the Esplanade Car Park – you can visit the website of the Dorset Council for more information on the parking charges and payment methods. In addition, there is another paid parking lot near the beach named the Mound Car Park.   

We recommend visiting this beach early because it can get crowded quickly, particularly during the summer.

If you like taking pictures with beautiful views, West Bay – West Beach and the Jurassic Pier near it offer amazing Instagram-worthy views of the English Channel and the Dorset shoreline. In addition, the 240-meters-long Jurassic Pier near the beach also has a restored 18th century cannon. 

There are many attractions near West Bay – West Beach. West Bay Discovery Centre offers interesting exhibitions on local history and biodiversity and it also has a gift shop – it also hosts interesting lectures and guided tours. Bridport Museum is a museum that is set in a 16th century building and it offers many interesting historical exhibitions including exhibits on industrial development, vintage photographs, and vintage clothes – it also has a vibrant fossil collection. Jurassic Fun Centre is an amusement center that offers many fun things to do and explore including multiple swimming pools (including a pool with waterslides), a bowling area, and a gym – in addition, it also has a restaurant. Vurlands Animal Farm is spread over 20 acres and it is home to many animals including meerkats, rabbits, chipmunks, rheas, pigs, and a wallaby. It also has a cafe, a kids’ play area, picnic areas, and a maze. If you are looking for another attraction near the beach, Palmers Brewery is a brewery that was initially founded in 1794 – it offers interesting tours of its premises where you can see the manufacture of its famous ale.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near West Bay – West Beach. Windy Corner Cafe is a cafe that offers delicious dishes for breakfast and lunch including sandwiches, burgers, fries, wraps, and pancakes.  The Watch House offers a variety of delicious dishes for breakfast and lunch including burgers, sausages, seafood, and pizzas.  The Club House is a restaurant that offers a variety of excellent dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner including seafood, steaks, granola, barbecued aubergine, and burrata.  West Bay Tea Rooms is a restaurant that serves refreshing tea, along with a variety of delicious snacks, lunch meals, and desserts. If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Rachel’s offers a variety of excellent dishes including mac-and-cheese, seafood platter, salads, sandwiches, and sausages.

If you are looking for a hotel to stay in West Bay near the West Bay – West Beach, there are many great nearby hotels. The Tiger Inn offers many amenities including multiple bars, multiple gardens, and complimentary breakfast. The Bridport Arms is another great hotel that offers many amenities including a restaurant, a garden, a lounge, and complimentary breakfast. The Parkdean Resorts West Bay Holiday Park, Dorset is another great accommodation option that offers accommodation in lodges and tents – it offers many amenities including multiple restaurants, a convenience store, a pool, an amusement area, a roller rink, a kids’ club, and a playground. Another great hotel is the West Bay Hotel Bridport that is set in an 18th century building and offers many amenities including a restaurant and a bar with a beer garden. If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, The Durbeyfield offers outdoor sitting areas and complimentary breakfast.