Buggy-friendly walk
Cycle path route suitable for kids
Scooter ride
Ice cream kiosk/café and toilets at Sandsfoot Gardens
Level and traffic-free
The Rodwell Trail follows the old railway route between Portland and Weymouth and is an ideal route for buggies, a scooter or bike ride, or just a good old walk. (Kids love walks, don’t they?? I know mine say they don’t, but they are encouraged by the promise of a Mr Whippy at the end!)
Tarmacked and level the whole way, there is no motor traffic to contend with unless you want to peel of the cycle path and explore Weymouth.
It’s a one-way route so you can walk or cycle as far as you like before turning back.
2-hour total walk/45 min cycle
If you’re looking for a longer route, you can start either end at Weymouth (Melcombe Regis car park) or at Portland (Chesil Beach car park) – 2 miles there, 2 miles back. I’d estimate this would take 2 hours in total at a slow walking pace and 45 mins on a bike.
Shorter walk/scoot/cycle
If, like us, you’re looking for a shorter route then a good place to start is at Sandsfoot Castle, which is roughly the halfway point between Portland and Weymouth marina. From here, you can choose which way you want to walk – into Weymouth, or towards Portland. It’s approx. 30-40 mins to either end on foot. Good for a shorter walk or scoot.
Parking is free at the bottom of Old Castle road (heading towards Castle Cove sailing club) just past Sandsfoot Gardens, and access on to the Rodwell Trail is accessed directly off this road (signposted).
There are public toilets next to Sandsfoot Gardens on Old Castle Road, and a pretty public garden with pond (complete with goldfish!) perfect for a pre or post-walk picnic on a sunny day – there’s also a handy café serving drinks, ice creams and pasties.
We chose the Weymouth direction this time. From our parking spot we took the Rodwell trail towards Weymouth. Views aren’t as good as the Portland direction but it’s a shady, level route with lots of greenery around you and takes you under the old railway bridges.
If you want to extend your walk/cycle and explore Weymouth Marina and seafront, peel left off the trail just after the second railway bridge and follow Chickerell road towards the marina. Once you get off the cycle path this does look a bit trickier with younger kids/cyclists as you’re into a busy road network into the centre of town.
The other direction, from Sandsfoot Gardens towards Portland, is more scenic, taking you past Castle Cove Sailing Club and then following the coastline with sea views over Portland Harbour. There's even a hidden little beach!
We finished our walk with ice creams at the Sandsfoot Gardens kiosk overlooking the ruined castle and the bay – ideal to bribe tired feet back to the car!
