The excitement is heating up as Weymouth Carnival is taking place next week!

If you are coming to town especially for the event, Travel Dorset has the following advice. If you're already in town there are road closures to be aware of.

As ever, there is lots to look forward to - and there's still time to get involved!

Driving to Weymouth? Here's the advice from Travel Dorset:

From the southwest

Exit the M5 at junction 29 (from the southwest) - follow the A30 eastbound to Honiton - the A35 to Dorchester, and then the A354 towards Weymouth.

From the west/M5

Exit the M5 at Taunton (junction 25) and take the A358 to Ilminster - head east on the A303 and the A3088 to Yeovil - follow the A37 all the way to Dorchester - follow signs for Weymouth and join the A35 round Dorchester and then the A354.

From the M25 and London

Follow the M3 southbound and exit at junction 14 for the westbound M27 (signed Bournemouth) - follow the M27 onto the A31 - at Bere Regis follow the A35 for Dorchester and at Dorchester follow signs for Weymouth on the A354.

From Portsmouth and the Solent

Follow the A27 westbound onto the M27 westbound - keep following the motorway towards the A31 - take the A35 at Bere Regis and then the A354 at Dorchester.

A spokesman for Travel Dorset said: "Our advice is to avoid travelling along The Esplanade which is likely to get very busy and congested across the event days - it will also be closed completely for the procession itself."

They are advising drivers to use the park and ride at Mount Pleasant.

Cycling or walking? Here are the cycle parking places:

  • Jubilee Retail Park (4)
  • New Bond Street (Cineworld) (10)
  • Frederick Place area (48)
  • Swannery car park (6)
  • KFC restaurant (4)
  • Weymouth Swimming Pool (6 covered, 20 uncovered)
  • Marsh Green (22)
  • ASDA (12 covered, 24 uncovered)
  • Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Offices, North Quay (3)
  • Debenhams (12)

These are the roads that will be closed from 5pm on Wednesday, August 16 until 8.30pm - or whenever it's deemed safe to re-open the road:

  • The Esplanade between Pavilion car park and Greenhill
  • B3155 Greenhill between Westerhall Road and the entrance to Lodmoor Park, Preston Road
  • Belle Vue between East Street and The Esplanade
  • East Street between St Alban Street and The Esplanade
  • St Alban Street between East Street and The Esplanade
  • Bond Street between New Street and The Esplanade
  • New Street between Bond Street and The Esplanade
  • Westham Road between St Thomas Street and The Esplanade
  • Gloucester Street between St Georges Street and The Esplanade
  • Gloucester Street between Park Street and Gloucester Mews
  • King Street between the Railway Station and The Esplanade
  • Astrid Way between Crescent Street and The Esplanade
  • Lennox Street between Victoria Street and The Esplanade
  • William Street between Victoria Street and Dorchester Road
  • B3159 Dorchester Road between Ricketts close (cone taper to take vehicles on to Carlton Road South) to Greenhill
  • Melcombe Avenue between Westerhall Road and Greenhill
  • B3159 Westerhall Road between Melcombe Avenue and Greenhill
  • B3159 Preston Road between the mini roundabout junction with Bowleaze Coveway to the entrance to Lodmoor Park
  • no access to The Esplanade from Gloucester Street, Westham Road, New Street, Bond Street, East Street or St Alban Street