With its majestic golden sandstone cliffs, West Bay in Dorset is known as the Golden Gateway to the Jurassic Coast. You’ll find West Bay south of Bridport, between Eype and Freshwater at the western end of beautiful Chesil Beach. It is, of course, one of the most popular destinations on the Dorset Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, along with Lyme Regis. Even more so thanks to ITV’s hit drama, Broadchurch.
If you’re curious enough to visit West Bay for a weekend, there’s plenty of things to do and see. True, in summer there may be a tad more life (and you make have to queue for an ice-cream), but winter offers the weekender a lot of sights and sounds, especially for those who love long beach walks and dramatic scenery. Here’s our guide to things to do in West Bay on a weekend visit.
THINGS TO DO IN WEST BAY
SATURDAY
1. Seaview Breakfast
The Watchhouse Cafe | 10am
This place used to be a greasy spoon hot spot, but middle-class took over and now it is probably the most stylish place to grab breakfast in West Bay. The vibe is breezy, the food is delicious – fresh and local (try the Fisherman’s breakfast, it won’t disappoint) – and the location, hot dang! Outside or inside, the views across this stretch of Dorset are mighty tasty.
2. Fisherman’s Fun
West Bay Harbour | 11am – 1pm
A stroll around West Bay’s neat harbour will help your breakfast go down. Featured in many key Broadchurch moments, the harbour bobs with fishing boats whatever the weather. In the summer, we love to go crabbing on the harbour or nearby Jurassic Pier.
You can get your bait and crabbing gear for just a few quid from one of the little fishing shops – or try the Angling Centre. My top tip: crabs love bacon, so use that.
3. To Market, to Market
Bridport Market Town | 1pm – 3pm
Approx. 1.5 miles inland from West Bay is Bridport. This historic town is not the one shown in Broadchurch. (I’m not sure why they decided not to film here, but they did.) Nevertheless, Bridport is worth a visit, especially on a Saturday – market day.
Lovingly nicknamed ‘Notting Hill by The Sea‘ by London folk, Bridport comprises of 3 main streets – East, West, and South Street. Each one springs to life with a variety of stalls on market day, all clamouring for your wallet’s attention.
A word of warning: it can get quite packed on the narrow pavements, as people stop to browse what’s on offer. Oh, and if you find yourself stuck behind someelderly chap cracking jokes with the stallholders, that’ll be my dad. Sorry, in advance.
4. Beach Dinner
East Cliff | 4pm
There’s nothing like a tranquil late afternoon on West Bay’s East Beach. Come high season, and this pebbled stretch is smoking with bbqs as holiday-makers (or ‘grockels’, as we locals inelegantly call tourists) make themselves at home.
In the winter, when the weather is clement, you can still enjoy the West Bay scenery with a thick blanket, a flask and a warming picnic. (Just remember not to sit under the cliffs; landslips are common.)
Should the heaven’s open, or the wind pick up, there are plenty of pubs to warm your cockles. I like The West Bay Hotel for its traditional charm and catch of fresh fish dishes.
THINGS TO DO IN WEST BAY
SUNDAY
1. Walking Westward Bound
West Cliff | 10am
Sunday’s were made for walking. So take yourself off towards the west of West Bay and climb up West Cliff. It’s on this cliff that Olivia Coleman and David Tennant played out some dramatic scenes. It’s also home to the house where Broadchurch’s defence barrister, played by Charlotte Rampling, lived in Series two – and, in real life, the singer PJ Harvey.
Carry on up the cliff – carefully – for about 25 minutes and you reach Eype. Keep on going over Eype and downhill into Seatown. Whilst you’re there, make sure you try a crab baguette at The Anchor Pub.
(Picture copyright The Anchor Inn)
2. Grab a Rock Cake and Art
Slader’s Yard | 1pm
West Bay, as you would expect, has an abundance of tea rooms. I like something a little off the beaten track which is why Slader’s Yard does it for me. Tucked away from the main harbour, it’s a warm, inviting café as well as a contemporary art, furniture and craft gallery.
Browse the art and furniture, then settle down with an organic cake and coffeebefore heading off for your next Dorset must-do.
3. Coast Blast
Lyme Bay Rib Rides | 2pm – 4pm
If you fancy an afternoon adrenaline rush, book your place on the West Bay Blast – a 15-minute rib ride that’ll hurtle you along the famous coast, turning your knuckles white. If you want something a little more sedate, you can cruise your way over to Lyme Regis on the rib water taxi for the afternoon, and then hop on the rib back after you’ve explored. Booking essential.
(Picture copyright Lyme Bay Rib Charter)
4. Salty stuff
Harbour Lights Fish and Chips | 4.30 pm
You can’t leave West Bay without sitting on the harbour wall with a portion of fish and chips. It’s Dorset law*. West Bay has chip huts galore, all open during peak season and many of which are open in the winter months, too.
Grab a portion of chips from Maggies – she serves the best chips in Broadchurch, in my opinion. Nothing fancy, but cooked from scratch and drowning in salt and vinegar. Add cheese for the ultimate calorie thrill.
(*Not actual law.)
Where is West Bay?
(Aka: Broadchurch, Dorset)
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