Dorset

The Dorset countryside and coastline is renown for its fossils and archaeology.

Lyme Regis:

Situated in the South West of Dorset, The West Country, England, UK, Lyme Regis is an historic unspoiled seaside resort and fishing port on the world famous Cobb harbour. Surrounded by beautiful coastlines and countryside, famous for its geology and fossil finds. The area has now been awarded World Heritage Site Status - the first natural site in England to be recognised; ( it is also famous as the setting for the film "The French Lieutenants Woman")

Weymouth:

Weymouth is situated in the south of the county of Dorset on the south coast of England. Weymouth Bay is part of the English Channel. It has long been known as "England's Bay of Naples". The area known as Weymouth encompasses the ancient civil parishes of Melcombe Regis and Radipole. It has a long and interesting history with many famous associations including Royalty.

What we think of as Weymouth today when we think of the seaside or the town centre, is in fact Melcombe Regis. They were once two separate places and parishes, their boundary being the harbour. On the South side was Weymouth and on the North, the almost island piece of land, Melcombe Regis. There was much feuding between the two over the trading rights of the harbour.

The port of Melcombe Regis has a claim to fame as the port where the bubonic plague, known as the Black Death, entered England in 1348. The plague was brought ashore by the fleas of the black rats from a ship that had come from the continent. The Black Death had devastating effects on the population of England. It is estimated that at least half the population was wiped out in the two years that it lingered. Naturally, those in Dorset were the first to suffer and people fearing that they would contract it moved away. Unsuspecting that they too might be carriers, the plague spread throughout the country.

In 1583 Captain Richard Clark departed from Weymouth to join Sir Humphrey Gilbert in his discovery of Newfoundland. Trading links were then established and continued until such time as the Newfoundland trade and fishing became more associated with Poole.

Although not generally used as an embarkation point for emigrants as much as other ports like Plymouth or Bristol, Weymouth was used for some of the first ships sailing to America. In 1623 Robert Gorges, the son of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, left Weymouth with emigrants to settle in Wessagusset, New England. He was appointed Governor of the colony, which then changed its name to Weymouth. The ship Abigail set sail from Weymouth in 1628 carrying many Dorset emigrants bound for New England. This passage was particularly important as it carried the first governor of Massachusetts, John Endicott.

The year 1789 saw the first visit of King George III to partake of the waters of the English Channel. The King while on his sojourn to Weymouth took a dip in Weymouth Bay using one of the first bathing machines. These allowed for privacy of removing clothing and entering the water discreetly. Later on they were used for changing the attire when it became the norm for the wearing of bathing costumes. King George enjoyed his time at Weymouth so much that he became a regular visitor and purchased Gloucester Lodge along the seafront. The building still stands though it has since been a hotel and is now luxury apartments.

In 1794 a packet steamer service was launched to operate between Weymouth and the Channel Islands. Subsequent services allowed for the "emigration" of several Dorset families to the islands.

To discover more about this elegant seaside town follow the link....http://www.weymouth.here-on-the.net/

Last edited on the 11 May 2008 20:03:21