West Bay is a small harbour village in Dorset, England, approximately 2 miles south of the centre of Bridport.
Known as Bridport Harbour until 1884, it was renamed "West Bay" by the Great Western Railway company in an apparent effort to develop it into a seaside destination. The railway closed in 1975 but the station has been restored and converted into a cafe.
Modern-day West Bay is a "Gateway Town" to the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the cliffs and sea-bed exposing the Middle Jurassic era to the west and the Lower Jurassic era to the east.
East Beach also marks the western end of Chesil Beach, the longest tombolo in the UK. The pebble shingle that makes up this long beach is worn down as it washes its way along the coast from Portland and the stones are at their smallest by the time they reach West Bay.
The Bay is not just popular with geologists and historians though, sunshine draws locals and grockles (tourists) alike to both beaches and the harbourside, piers and promenade make for an excellent short stroll in all but the stormiest weather.
- West Bay Wallow - take a plunge into the harbour on Boxing Day.
- Filming locations of the television drama series Harbour Lights and Broadchurch.
- Burton Bradstock. Beach and cliffs
West Bay Wallow - take a plunge into the harbour on Boxing Day.
Filming locations of the television drama series Harbour Lights and Broadchurch.
Burton Bradstock. Beach and cliffs
- Sunbathe
- Crabbing off the pier
- Angling, off the pier or beach
- Walk along the coast path
- Boat trip
- Children's playground - near the Spar shop on West Bay Road.
- RNLI Raft Race - a race down the River Brit on home-made rafts, in fancy-dress. Annual in July.
- Torchlight Procession - closing Bridport Carnival week. From Bridport to West Bay. Annual in August.
- Melplash Agricultural Show. Originated as a ploughing competition in Melplash, the show has since grown into a much wider celebration of rural industry and culture. Annual on the last Saturday in August.
- RNLI West Bay Fun Day - includes a search and rescue display given by the Weymouth Lifeboat, Lyme Regis Lifeboat and HM Coastguard's Portland Helicopter Rescue Team (weather and emergencies permitting). Annual in August.
RNLI Raft Race - a race down the River Brit on home-made rafts, in fancy-dress. Annual in July.
Torchlight Procession - closing Bridport Carnival week. From Bridport to West Bay. Annual in August.
Melplash Agricultural Show. Originated as a ploughing competition in Melplash, the show has since grown into a much wider celebration of rural industry and culture. Annual on the last Saturday in August.
RNLI West Bay Fun Day - includes a search and rescue display given by the Weymouth Lifeboat, Lyme Regis Lifeboat and HM Coastguard's Portland Helicopter Rescue Team (weather and emergencies permitting). Annual in August.
- Fish and chips - from one of the many local kiosks
- Riverside Restaurant. Sitting in a loop of the River Brit, reached via a footbridge beside The George.
- Watch House Cafe. Behind the Methodist Chapel, on East Beach.
Fish and chips - from one of the many local kiosks
Riverside Restaurant. Sitting in a loop of the River Brit, reached via a footbridge beside The George.
Watch House Cafe. Behind the Methodist Chapel, on East Beach.
- Hot tea from one of the local kiosks.
- The Tea Station - the railway station that gave this settlement its modern-day name is now a cafe
- The George.
The Tea Station - the railway station that gave this settlement its modern-day name is now a cafe
The George.
- In The winter months, the sandstone cliffs can be prone to collapse.
- Bridport lies to the north, Burton Bradstock to the east and Eype to the west (by foot).
- Chesil Beach