Weymouth

Morven House is the perfect base for a traditional seaside holiday. The beautiful flower beds of Greenhill Gardens with the colourful Floral Clock, tennis courts, clock golf and bowls club are just 150 yards from our front door and the seasonal cafes in the gardens which overlook the expanse of Weymouth Bay are ideal for light snacks in the summer. It is about a ten minute walk to the Weymouth Sealife Centre and the Lodmoor Bird Sanctuary from the Gardens.

Morven House was built in 1860 by the Weymouth builder George Crickmay for whom the novelist Thomas hardy worked as an architect. We cannot conclusively prove that Hardy visited Morven House while Crickmay himself lived here, but Hardy did draw an architectural sketch of the neighbouring building from the perspective of our rear access road.

Hardy himself lodged nearby at 3 Wooperton Street in 1869 where he wrote "Desperate Remedies". We are happy to advise guests of the many local locations associated with both Thomas Hardy and Lawrence of Arabia.

This link to a walking website "Walk Score" shows just how well Morven House is located in relation to local services and amenities. A twenty minute stroll or leisurely trip on the Land Train along the flat seafront Esplanade leads past the donkey rides  to the lively funfair at the Alexandra Gardens. Boat trips to Portland or rowing boats across to The Nothe Fort depart from the steps next to The Pavilion Theatre.  National supermarket chains such as Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury, Lidl and Asda are close.

These days most of the fishing boats in the harbour fish for spider crabs which are exported to Spain and Portugal on refridgerated lorries which often load in the evening. Charter Boats ,  Dive Boats and Day Angling Boats moor next to the Town Bridge which lifts on even hours to allow yachts to exit the Inner Harbour. The Sailing Events of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games took place in Weymouth Bay. It's a matter of debate locally whether the Games provided any genuine lasting legacy for the area but why not come and decided for yourself?

The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy is a short drive or bus ride away.

The sun setting behind Weymouth as viewed from Osmington Mills