Our Guide to a Memorable Golf Break in West Dorset
Came Down Golf Club, one of Golf Mothly’s Hidden Gems, welcomes all golfers to our historic Taylor and Colt designed course. Our traditional downland layout, set in the heart of the Dorset countryside, between Dorchester & the coastal resort of Weymouth offers outstanding views in every direction and a beautiful course that is open all year round. We can assure you a warm Dorset welcome.
If you’re visiting West Dorset for a golf break, why not make the most of your stay by experiencing the best that the area has to offer.
From picturesque countryside walks and stunning beaches to fun attractions and local watering holes, there is something for everyone.
We’ve taken the hard work off your hands and curated this guide for an unforgettable holiday.
Accomadation
Here are some of our local recommendations for places to stay!
The Kings Arms Hotel – Based in the heart of Dorchester you’ll find The Kings Arms Hotel. Recently renovated, you’ll find the hotel a mix of original features with vintage finds and modern features. With a restaurant and bar at the hotel, you can relax after a long day of golf with their seasonal menu.
The Duchess of Cornwall Inn – With comfortable rooms, a friendly team and pub, The Duchess of Cornwall Pub is a great place to relax after a day on the golf course. Located in Queen Mother’s Square in Poundbury, it is often a sun trap were you can unwind with a drink or two!
The New Inn – Nestled in the village of West Knighton you’ll find stylish accommodation at this country, English Heritage, pub. With a pub garden and a selection of local ales, you’ll be able to soak up the Dorset ambience in the sunshine.
Gloucester House – Situated along Weymouth’s iconic Georgian seafront, you’ll find Gloucester House. Recently renovated, these stunning rooms are just a stone’s throw away from the beach. Watch the sun rise across Weymouth Bay, enjoy a stroll along the beach or swim in the sea.
Gresham Guest House – Just a 10 minute walk from Weymouth harbour, you’ll find the beautiful Gresham Guest House over looking Weymouth Bay. Built in 1827, the guesthouse has many period features mixed beautifully with modern amenities. It’s a fantastic base to explore Weymouth the Jurassic Coast.
Attractions
Explore the Jurassic Coast by sea with the chance of spotting local wildlife. You may even be treated to a very special appearance from Weymouth and Portland’s resident dolphins and seals. There’s an array of boat charters to choose from, including Weymouth Bay Rib Charter and Snapper Charters.
If you’re into watersports, there’s no better place to be. Hit the waves with Jurassic Jetskis, learn how to navigate a tall ship with Moonfleet Sailing or make a splash by paddleboarding, windsurfing or kayaking in Olympic waters at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.
Nestled in 26 acres of glorious Dorset countryside lies Sculpture by the Lakes – an outdoor sculpture exhibition and gallery featuring works by renowned artists. The on-site Artisan’s Pantry stocks food from independent producers and you can even ‘Build your own Picnic in the Park’ containing produce from the Kitchen Garden.
If you’re looking to relax those weary muscles, the luxury Monart Spa in Poundbury has a hydrotherapy pool and thermal suite with sauna, steam room, salt grotto and sanarium. There are also a range of natural treatments on offer, including facials and massages.
Whether you’re a keen history buff or a dinosaur fanatic, Dorchester has some brilliant museums to choose from, including Museum of East Dorset, The Dinosaur Museum and The Keep Military Museum.
Recommended Walks
Ratty's Trail - Dorchester River Walk – 2.5 miles
If you’re looking for a serene and peaceful walk surrounded by nature and wildlife, this one’s for you. A circular walk, you'll walk along the River Frome and wander through town and back to the scenic path of the river. Keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers, baby ducklings and water voles. You can also explore the Roman townhouse.
Dorchester Town Historic Walk - approximately 1.8 miles
This is a great one to do if you’re keen to learn more about Dorchester’s rich history whilst you’re here. A gentle and interesting walk beginning at the Top 'O' Town car park, it should take around 40 minutes. There is a Neolithic Henge slap bang in the middle of the town centre and you'll walk along the Roman town walls before passing through the stunning Borough Gardens, which has a fascinating history of its own!
Ferrybridge, Weymouth to Lulworth Cove – 14.4 miles
Beginning at Ferrybridge on the west part of Weymouth with plenty of breath-taking coastal landmarks along the way, this walk is ideal for splitting into chunks across a few days. Or try the full adventure if you’re up for a challenge!
You’ll head along the Rodwell Trail and onto the Nothe Fort before strolling along Weymouth Esplanade towards Osmington – the perfect stop for a refreshing beverage at The Smuggler’s Inn.
Your next stop will be the beautiful Ringstead Bay and then you'll find yourself on the cliffs at White Nothe before you arrive at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.
Beaches
We are incredibly lucky to be situated close to the Jurassic Coast with an array of stunning beaches locally.
The curved bay of Weymouth Beach is multi award-winning and has recently been listed within TripAdvisor’s top 25 beaches to visit in Europe! What an achievement!
Chesil Beach is another firm favourite, featuring 18 miles of glorious coast (and sunshine if you're lucky!). With views that will quite literally blow you away, it would be a wonderful place for you to visit after a cheeky round of golf!
Ringstead Bay is known locally for its magical panoramic coastline and eye-catching cliffs and farmland. The perfect spot for a relaxing picnic after a glorious game of golf!
Other stunning stretches of the Jurassic Coast nearby include Bowleaze Cove, Osmington Mills Beach, Castle Cove, Church Ope Cove, Sandsfoot Beach and Preston Beach to name a few!
Restaurants
There’s a huge assortment of restaurants to choose from in West Dorset but of course the coastal towns are known for their delicious seafood. In Weymouth we recommend The Crab House Café, Rockfish and Crustacean.
Tucked away in Brewers Quay in Weymouth, you’ll find the small but lovely Secret Garden, serving an array of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free delights.
Housed in Weymouth’s old pier bandstand with panoramic sea views, tuck into traditional Italian cuisine at Al Molo. Hugely popular, it was voted restaurant of the year in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards 2020/21.
On Portland, enjoy a stroll along Chesil Beach before popping into Quiddles, a little café/restaurant serving both fresh seafood and cake. It’s a must to sit outside so you don’t miss the glorious sunset across Lyme Bay.
For even more outstanding ocean views (it’s what we’re all about here!), dig into a wood fired pizza on The Boat that Rocks terrace whilst watching the sailing action in Portland Marina. Sitting next to Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy, this marina-side restaurant and bar was named after the 2009 Bill Nighy film The Boat That Rocked which was filmed off the coast of Portland.
Brewery Square in Dorchester is home to a number of restaurants, including Luciano’s, run by the famous chef Marco Pierre White’s son, Luciano. The King’s Arms in Dorchester is also highly acclaimed with their outstanding season menu.
If you’re a fan of authentic Japanese food, try Myra’s Kaiseki in Dorchester town centre. Run by a husband and wife team, the menu changes with the seasons and local produce is used where possible.
Pubs
We love our pubs in Dorset and there’s no shortage of them near us.
On Weymouth harbourside, you’ll find The Ship Inn and The George Bar & Grill, where you can enjoy a pint whilst admiring the boats and people watching.
In Dorchester, a few top spots to quench your thirst are The Duchess of Cornwall Inn and The Poet Laureate in Poundbury and The king’s Arms and Tom Brown’s in town.
Situated right next to the station, the Brewhouse & Kitchen has a warm and friendly vibe and just outside the town, The Sun Inn serves top notch pub grub.
Overlooking Chesil Beach, not far from Quiddles, is the 18th century Cove House Inn on Portland which offers a cosy and welcoming atmosphere as you listen to the waves crashing against the shore. There are some jaw-dropping images of them coming right over the sea wall!
Cocktail Bars
The seaside town of Weymouth has a buzzing nightlife, with a fantastic mix of cocktail bars to choose from. Many of them can be found by taking a stroll along the promenade and harbourside. At Kika Beach and The Nook Cocktail Club sip on a cocktail whilst soaking up the sun and gazing at beautiful sea views. In the town itself you’ll find the laid back Nautico Lounge and Batida Bar.
For cocktails in Dorchester, we recommend The King’s Arms with its popular and experimental cocktails and Nautico’s sister bar, Vivo Lounge.
We hope you enjoyed this journey around our favourite spots in West Dorset. No matter the length of your stay, you have all you need for a fun, relaxing (and hopefully sunny!) golf break in our beautiful coastal towns. Feel free to save and share this guide with friends, family and colleagues.
We look forward to welcoming you at Came Down Golf Club!
