I visited the seaside town with the UK's best beach and 1 thing immediately impressed me

Weymouth was crowned the UK's best beach earlier this year. Now the summer is well and truly underway, I thought it would be the perfect time to visit the area to see what all the hype is about.

The beach, located along the Dorset stretch of the Jurassic Coast, was also named the 20th best beach in Europe. It is the fourth year in a row it has claimed top spot in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. As well as the long and wide golden beach, Weymouth seafront boasts a number of other family-friendly attractions such as the Observation Wheel, donkey rides and amusements.

However, it was not the range of attractions that stood out to me most when I visited. Instead, it was how clean the beach and wider seafront are that struck me immediately.

It can be depressing to visit a beach during the summer to find it littered with rubbish. The Marine Conservation Society recently reported that plastic pollution increased by nearly 10% last year, with over three-quarters of a million pieces of litter collected during voluntary beach cleans.

While an average of 170 items of rubbish were reported per 100 metres of coastline across the UK, the situation in Weymouth could not have been further away from this upsetting statistic. The area was clean and well-maintained, which undoubtedly helps to attract visitors throughout the summer season.

There was also a friendly atmosphere, with families and friends relaxing on the beach and making the most of the attractions. The area is safe, and the beach is manned by RNLI lifeguards during the peak seasons.

The number of "Brown Flag Beaches," those rated as "poor" for water quality by the Environment Agency, has also soared across the UK in recent years. However, Weymouth bucked that trend and was awarded a Seaside Award by Keep Britain Tidy this year.

Although I didn't have a dip in the sea, it certainly looked appealing. The sea was light blue in colour and looked like it would be very refreshing on a hot afternoon.

The Seaside Award recognises a well-managed, clean and safe beach experience for visitors. Jane Biscombe, Town Clerk at Weymouth Town Council, said: "We are delighted to be awarded the prestigious Seaside Award for another year. Weymouth Beach is such a fantastic resource for our residents."

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, no pollution incidents have been reported at Weymouth Beach this year. Meanwhile, the most recent classification for the water is "good", based on samples taken between 2021 and 2024.

As well as the beach and sea, Weymouth Esplanade was spotlessly clean during my visit. It was the perfect spot for a stroll with a number of cafes, restaurants and craft shops on offer.

The promenade, which runs parallel to Weymouth beach, is lined with elegant Georgian buildings that have been maintained over the years. It's a great place for walking, relaxing and enjoying the amazing coastal views.

Visit Dorset said: "Weymouth Beach has had many annual accolades for its management, cleanliness, information provision and safety for over 20 years including Blue Flag, Seaside Awards and Quality Coast Awards.

"In addition it has consistently been recognised as one of the top beaches in the UK by the Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide and TripAdvisor."