Chesil Beach, an 18-mile shingle barrier beach near Weymouth in Dorset, is one of the most distinctive stretches of coastline in the UK and a well-known draw for a Dorset caravan holiday.
What makes Chesil Beach different
Unlike a typical sandy beach, Chesil Beach is made up of graded shingle — the pebbles get progressively larger from west to east, a feature that’s kept geologists and beachcombers interested for generations. It’s worth knowing the swimming conditions can be different (and the shelving steeper) than a sandy beach, so take care, particularly with children.
Weymouth itself
Weymouth offers a more traditional sandy town beach alongside Chesil, plus a working harbour and seafront — a good pairing if you want both the dramatic scenery of Chesil and a classic family beach day in the same trip.
Exploring the wider Jurassic Coast
This stretch of Dorset sits on the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — see our Dorset holidays guide for more of the county.
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