You’re looking for a lush, leafy park with winding paths and big, shady trees all around-just look ahead for a gentle hill covered in greenery and benches, right where the trees start to open up and the sunlight dappled ground invites you in.
Welcome to Nothe Gardens! Take a deep breath-the fresh, salty sea air mixes with the scent of cut grass and flowering shrubs here, and if you listen carefully, you might hear children laughing on the breeze or a chorus of birds celebrating your arrival. These gardens, perched on the proud Nothe Peninsula, are like the crowning jewel of Weymouth, with sweeping views of two harbors and the mighty Nothe Fort keeping watch over Portland and Weymouth below.
But don’t be fooled by the peaceful scene; this tranquil patch of green has stories tucked under every root and hidden in every corner. Imagine, if you will, soldiers drilling right where you stand-because before this was “the loveliest place to lounge in town,” it was a bustling military encampment. Back in 1872, Nothe Fort was built to guard the harbor from foes, its thick stone walls now making a perfect perch for exploring kids… or maybe the occasional squirrel who thinks he’s a general.
Flash forward to World War II. The gardens transformed again-suddenly, you would’ve heard the thunderous boom of anti-aircraft guns on the flat ground here, defending against enemy planes. Four big, bristling Vickers Armstrong guns sat on alert, their barrels waving like giant metallic fingers pointed at the sky. And hidden further down, right by the sea, a massive searchlight waited to flick on and catch enemy ships sneaking into the harbor at night. The original searchlight was lost to a landslip in 1988, but never fear-history lovers of Weymouth rebuilt a replica just inside the old fort, if you’re curious to take a peek!
Once the war ended, things started to relax again, and by the 1970s, the only things booming were summer picnics and the laughter of children running down grassy slopes. The old gun battery was swapped out for a car park, the searchlight replaced with floral beds, and the spirit of the place became all about wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for flitting bats at dusk, foxes on nighttime prowl, or a very bold squirrel eyeing your sandwich. Deer, badgers, hedgehogs, even secretive slow worms-Nothe Gardens is a green city where animals are your fuzzy, feathery neighbors.
And here, the “Friends of Nothe Gardens” patrol not with swords, but spades and smiles. This heroic crew of locals protect, plant, promote, and generally fuss over their beloved green haven, determined to keep it Weymouth’s sparkling “jewel” for generations.
Oh, and did you know Nothe Gardens even played a small role in the 2012 Olympics? For a few wild weeks, the lawns were fenced off and transformed into a grandstand for sailing events. Tickets cost up to £50 a day, and while the locals grumbled (“Oi, I used to feed squirrels here for free!”), 4,600 spectators packed into the gardens daily, cheering for champions with the English Channel sparkling in the sun.
So whether you’re on the lookout for military ghosts, furry wildlife, or just searching for the perfect picnic spot, Nothe Gardens wraps it all into one leafy, sun-dappled, history-soaked package. And hey-if you see a squirrel marching in line or a fox saluting, don’t say I didn’t warn you!
