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Situated on the iconic Jurassic Coast in Dorset, Weymouth is considered one of the UK's premier seaside resorts. It consistently features near the top of national rankings, earning the title of Best UK Beach from The Times and The Sunday Times in 2023 and topping similar TripAdvisor rankings in both 2017 and 2024.

Having grown up in the South West, I was well aware of the beauty of the Jurassic Coast and, after hearing Weymouth had earned the title of the 20th best beach in all of Europe, decided to pay the area a visit. During a two-day stay which included a visit to beautiful Lyme Regis, I headed over to Weymouth to see if the resort lived up to its acclaimed reputation.

After parking up in the town centre on a sunny afternoon in May, I strolled straight towards the idyllic promenade that is flanked by cafes, eateries and craft shops. From the promenade, skirting the egdge of Weymouth beach, I had sweeping views out to sea as well as towards rows of well-preserved Georgian buildings that give a nod towards the town's rich history.

As well as immediately noticing the golden beach and blue water, a perfect spot for walking and relaxing, one of the first things that struck me was the imposing Observation Wheel. The huge attraction, which stands 26 metres tall and can hold 108 passengers, gives visitors amazing views of the town and has been compared to the iconic Ferris Wheel in Skegness.

Funded by Danters, the operators of the local fairground, the wheel was welcomed back to Weymouth's central beach last summer and has since returned ahead of the upcoming season. In my eyes, it's already become one of the main factors that help attract around two million day-trippers to the town every year.

Despite concerns among some residents that the wheel ruins the coastline, I didn't think this was the case. As the beach stretches for around three miles, making it one of the longest in the nation, the addition of the wheel doesn't make a huge difference to the coastal views on offer.

The wheel is tucked away opposite Alexandra Gardens at the end of the beach, meaning there is still plenty of unspoilt sand for visitors to enjoy. Meanwhile, the wheel offers a unique attraction to vistors of all ages, but is likely to prove especially popular with young families.

From the top of the huge wheel, I could see across the sandy beach, Weymouth Bay and the vibrant town centre. The sweeping views extended to the Pavilion, Greenhill and across Dorset towards Portland, Dorchester and Chickerell.

It was also noticeable how popular the attraction was, with families queuing up to board the pods and soak up the views. A ride on the Observation Wheel, which also has a dedicated larger pod for wheelchair users, generally takes between two and four minutes, including two full revolutions.

It officially reopened on March 21 before beginning daily operations from March 27 which will continue daily until October. It is scheduled to return to Weymouth every year until 2029 which I think will help give the town a huge boost.

For me, the wheel is the perfect addition to a traditional seaside town as it offers something different to the usual fairground rides. If you visit Weymouth on a sunny day this summer, make sure to jump on for a ride and you won't be disappointed.