Mariner's View Cottage on the Dorset coast

MARINER'S VIEW is a 2-bedroom, mid-terrace 19th century cottage at the southern-most point of Weymouth, just before the causeway that leads to Portland. Just across the main Portland Road from the cottage are the world-renowned Fleet Lagoon and the 18-mile Chesil Beach. Smallmouth Bay , with its sandy beach and some rocks to climb on is less than 5 minutes walk away below the cottage. The South West coast path passes close to the front door. The outstanding feature of the cottage is the views . From the front windows you can watch yachts and windsurfers on Portland Harbour, the Chesil Beach and sea beyond, all against the backdrop of the cliffs of Portland, which glow pink in the setting sun. A few meters along from the cottage front door, and you can look across the bay and see the distinctive cliffs of Ringstead, Durdle Door, and then Lulworth. In addition, the cottage is central for so many activities. Water sports in Portland Harbour are open to everyone - adults and children over 8 can have a lesson at windsurfing (search OTC, Official Test Centre, at the National Sailing Academy, the venue for the 2012 sailing Olympics where Ben Ainslie won his gold medal). (See Neighbourhood Overview, below for more details). Locally, a car is not essential whether it be for walking, fishing, cycling, swimming, bird-watching or a day on Weymouth's beautiful sandy beach. The whole of the cottage is yours for the duration of your holiday. The cottage is self-contained, with its own front door - see photos. If any problems arise during your stay at the cottage, or you just wish to clarify something, you will be able to contact me either by phone or email. There is an information folder in the cottage, which gives details of everything you will need to know for the smooth running of your stay and I will email you all the details you need before you arrive a few days before your arrival date. SAILING and other WATER SPORTS: The Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (W.P.N.S.A.) which hosted the 2012 Sailing Olympics, is exactly 1 mile from the cottage, along the Portland Beach Road. You do not have to be an experienced sailor to take part in water sports. There are courses, or just one-off lessons in wind-surfing, standup paddle boarding, kayaking and sailing. Classes are held for children in groups, according to age. The centre is open for visitors to look around, and snacks are available. WALKING: The cottage is only 200 meters from the shoreline of Portland Harbour and the start of the Rodwell Trail at Ferrybridge. This follows the line of the old railway track (one of Julia Bradbury's Railway Walks), which, if you like walking, takes you to the centre of Weymouth close to the inner harbour - about 3/4 hour. On the way, stop and explore Sandsfoot Castle (Henry VIII) and gardens. A grassy path along the length of the Hamm (the causeway between mainland Weymouth and Portland) takes you to the Sailing Academy, then on to Portland Castle (another of Henry VIII's fortifications), then cross over Victoria Square to the esplanade at Chiswell. On the way, there are eating places at Billy Winter's , then the Chesil Beach visitor centre, restaurants by the sailing academy, and Quiddle's cafe at the end of the esplanade by the very last pebbles of the Chesil Beach.. The cottage is at a central point of the Jurassic coast for anyone taking part in walking lengths of the SOUTH WEST COAST PATH - eastwards towards Ringstead, Durdle Door and Lulworth, and going west towards Abbotsbury, with its unique Swannery, then on to Burton Bradstock, Golden Cap (of Broadchurch fame), West Bay and Lyme Regis. INLAND: there are beautiful walks around Hardy's Monument (Captain Hardy of Nelson's flagship HMS Victory, not the author Thomas Hardy): visit Upwey wishing well (the source of the River Wey): climb the grassy ramparts of Maiden Castle, an iron-age fort near Dorchester. In the autumn/winter go to Portland Bill and brace yourself against the spray of the Atlantic rollers crashing on the rocks. Then dive into the Lobster Pot cafe to indulge in their mouth-watering, home-made scones. BIRD-WATCHING: There are 2 RSPB bird reserves: one at Radipole Lake, almost within the town centre (park at what is known as the Swannery car park); the other is at Lodmoor, next to the Sea Life Centre, on the inland side of the Preston Beach Road, on the east side of the town. The Chesil Beach centre is a good place to watch little terns, that nest amongst the pebbles. CHILDREN, SAND and SEA Buckets and spades at the ready, and within 5 minutes of arriving at the cottage, the children can wriggle their toes into the sand of Smallmouth Bay, just below the cottage (see photos). The main Weymouth sandy beach, with its safe, shallow sea bathing is a 10-minute car drive into the town centre. FOSSIL-HUNTING The Jurassic coast (between 135 - 180 million years of archaeological history) with Weymouth at its centre, extends from Lyme Regis to the west and Kimmeridge to the east. You are unlikely to be disappointed with a day out fossil-hunting. Search Jurassic Coast Guides to book yourself a day with a guide. Nearer to the cottage, there are shore excursions from Portland Port. SKATE PARK Weymouth's newest skate park, named The Front, is located next to the Sea Life Centre at Lodmoor. It is open air, but has covered seating area and indoor lounge and cafe. There is a shop, and equipment for hire. Check out their web site for membership and non-membership prices for sessions. There is something here for everyone's tastes: lazy beach days, good walks, water sports. RESTAURANTS: Within easy walking distance of the cottage: The Crab House Cafe and Fleet Oyster Farm are on the other side of the main Portland Road, about 500 meters from the cottage. The Chesil Beach Visitor Centre has a good restaurant now, and is only 15 minutes walk from the cottage. Billy Winter's cafe/restaurant is even closer on the shoreline of the harbour. There's a huge choice in Weymouth. There is an excellent bus service (the number 1 bus) that goes every 12 minutes into the town centre from a stop on the main road about 200 meters from the cottage. In the opposite direction, the bus goes on to Portland, with a stop close to Lidl and the Sailing Academy. PARKING: On arrival at the cottage, you can park at the front to unload your car, then it is best to go round to the back of the terrace and park in any available space. The ground there is unadopted, so is not a smooth tarmac surface. You will be sent a map showing how and where to park. SAFE SPACE FOR CHILDREN: Children can play perfectly safely out at the front of the cottage, as this is an access route only for neighbours' cars, so there is no through traffic. See photo of the cottage front. HOUSE RULES: Check-in from 4pm onwards, checkout by 10am No pets, no smoking, no parties or events. Please respect neighbours on either side of the cottage.