The Rodwell Trail is very popular with pedestrians, cyclists and dog walkers taking in 3.5k along Weymouth’s old railway line and Sandsfoot Castle.

The Rodwell Trail is a shared use walking and cycling path which now forms part of National Cycle Network Route 26 (Portland to Portishead).

It provides a pleasant, traffic free 3.5km walk or bicycle ride from Westham Bridge in the heart of Weymouth’s town centre to Ferry Bridge. From there you can continue 0.8km along the traffic free Portland Beach Road route to the Chesil Beach Visitor Centre. A further 2.3km will take you to Fortuneswell on Portland.

The Friends of Rodwell Trail have hosted and assisted other groups to host a wide variety of events in the Gardens; the free events are the most popular. Tudor Picnics, Art in the Park, Music Concerts, Choir recitals, Theatre, Civil War re-enactment complete with canon fire, Dawn Yoga have all been a great success. The castle itself has very interesting acoustics and as a backdrop to activities on the lower lawn a superb setting with the very best of views!

All these need proper planning assessment and agreement with the Council to ensure safety and adequate access arrangements especially to safeguard emergency vehicles – even large fire engines access through Old Castle Road where there is minimal parking!  There are toilet facilities available when the café is open.

Wedding photography is a regular activity as it is such a beautiful place and the garden gets busy, especially on Saturdays and particularly in fine weather.