With the iconic new observation attraction being put through final health and safety checks, owner-operator Merlin Entertainments has thrown down a gauntlet to junior designers.

Children aged 4 to 16 are being urged to have a go at creating their own towers, with VIP invites to the official launch, a Sea Life annual pass and chance to star in a video up for grabs.

“We thought it would be fun to let youngsters vent their own creative talents by building a tower entirely of their own design,” said Weymouth Sea Life Tower marketing manager Raquel Cubillo.

“They can use any materials they like, and younger children can simply paint or draw their towers if they prefer,” she added.

The competition is being launched on the Weymouth Sea Life Tower facebook page – www.facebook.com/WeymouthTower – and there are instructions for uploading pictures of the completed structures and illustrations where everyone can vote for their favourites.

The real Tower, meanwhile, which is set to lift 70 passengers at a time up to 170-plus feet above Festival Pier for spectacular views of the resort and Jurassic coastline, will open for business on June 22^nd.

Events can be subject to change/cancellation due to weather/operational restraints and conditions. You are advised to contact the  Tourism Information Centre on 01305 785747 before travelling if the reason for visiting is specifically to attend an event.

Click here to download a PDF of Weymouth and Portlands Official Events Leaflet.

April 2012

Each Wednesday between April to October – Haunted Harbour Tour, 7 pm. wwwpikeandshot.com for booking.

21 & 22 April Solo Open Sailing Championships – WPNSA

25 April Anzac Day Memorial Service on Weymouth Seafront

28 April Round the Rock 10k – Portland.  www.rmpac.co.uk

May 2012

1 to 6 May USA Match Racing Event – WPNSA

2 May Weymouth Lunchtime Chamber Concerts – St Mary Church (1pm)

3 to 7 May Olympic Selectors 90 Boat Event – WPNSA

3 May to 9 Sept Maritime Mix London 2012 Cultural Olympiad by the Sea – Throughout the Borough and along the Jurassic Coast.

5 to 7 May International Beach Kite Festival - Weymouth Beach.

6 May Mad Hatter’s Tea Party – Greenhill Garden.

6 May Help for Heroes Fun Day – Lodmoor Events Area.

6 May Osprey Sprint Triathlon - www.bustinskin.com

7 May Art of Sport Festival – Redlands Sport Hub

13 May Portland Rotary Annual Plant & Craft Fair – Portland United Football Club, Grove Road, Portland - 11am to 4pm

13 May Transport of Yesteryear, Meet the Club Day – Jubilee Clock

17 & 18 May IAPS National Sailing Regatta – WPNSA

18 & 19 May Chalk Legends, Drama and Dance.

20 May Dorset Vintage Motorcycle Rally – Pavilion Forecourt

20 May The Hard Way Round the Rock – Portland.  www.rmpac.co.uk

24 May Cutting Edge 2012: Behind Sailing – WPNSA.  www.rigb.org/cuttingedge2012

25 May to 10 June The Matchstick Fleet – Nothe Fort.  www.nothefort.org.uk

26 May Must be Barking – Lodmoor

26 May to 10 June Dorset Art Weeks – Various venues throughout the Borough.

26 May to 10 June Artwey at Dorset Art Weeks – Weymouth Town Hall.  www.artwey.co.uk

27 May Dorset Tour Vintage Car Rally – Lodmoor Country Park Events Area

28 May US Memorial Day – Weymouth Seafront. Short wreath laying service.

June 2012

Every Tuesday evening Beach Volleyball – Weymouth Beach.  Team Entry fee applicable.www.weymouthbeachvolleyball.co.uk

1 to 9 June Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta – WPNSA

2 to 5 June Queens Diamond Jubilee – Celebrations throughout the Borough.

1 to 3 June Wessex Folk Festival – Weymouth Harbourside.  www.wessexfolk.co.uk

2 to 5 June “Passage to Portland” – Portland Marina

3 to 5 June Quayside Music Festival – Weymouth Harbourside

3 June Weymouth and Portland Lions Diamond Jubilee Charity Walk -www.weymouthlionsclub.co.uk

3 June Jubilee Big Lunch – Nothe Gardens, 12 noon to 4 pm.

3 June Hardy Country Run Vehicle Rally – Finishing at Lodmoor Events Area

4 June Queen II Tribute Band Concert – Nothe Fort.  Booking essential.  www.nothefort.org.uk

10 June Life in the Stone Age (Living History Day) – Portland Museum.  www.portlandmuseum.co.uk

14 to 17 June SB3 Nationals – WPNSA

15 & 16 June Small Ships Race – WPNSA

17 June Vintage Bus Running Day – Lodmoor Country Park

17 June British Heart Foundation, Weymouth Bay Swim - www.bhf.org.uk/weymouth

17 June Transport of Yesteryear, Meet the Club – Jubilee Clock

17 June Weymouth Sprint and Classic Triathlon – Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth.  www.bustinskin.com

23 to 29 June Weymouth and Portland Armed Forces Day Celebrations.  Throughout the Borough.  Service of Remembrance and Parade at 11 am on Sunday 24th June.

23 to 29 June Musto Skiff World Championships – WPNSA.  www.wpnsa.org.uk

24 June Chickerell Classic Car Show – Chickerell.  www.transportofyesteryear.org.uk

24 June Sutton Poyntz Victorian Street Fayre

30 June to 15 July – Spirit of the Sea – Various locations throughout the Borough of Weymouth and Portland. www.spiritofthesea.org.uk

30 June Gig Regatta – Nothe Gardens and Newtons Cove.

30 June to 15 July – Pebbles, Boats and Sea – Chesile Beach Centre, Portland.

July 2012

Every Tuesday Evening, Beach Volleyball on Weymouth Beach from 6 pm. Join in the competition, varying levels from beginners to expert.  www.weymouthbeachvolleyball.co.uk

1 July D Day Run, Vintage and Classic Car Display – Jubilee Clock, Weymouth.

1 July Portland 10 mile running road race – www.rmpac.co.uk

1 July Tudor Picnic – Sandsfoot Gardens, Weymouth 11 am – 4 pm

7 July – The Cabinet Maker’s Daughter, Weymouth Pavilion, from 7.30pm www.asone-dorset.co.uk

7 & 8 July – Dorset Seafood Festival – Weymouth Harbourside.  www.dorsetseafood.co.uk

7 & 8 July – Topper Rank Series Event – WPNSA

7 & 8, 14 & 15 July – Weymouth Sailing Regatta – Weymouth Bay

8 July – Music in the Park – Greenhill Gardens, Weymouth 2 pm to 4.30 pm.

8 July – Open Water Swim Series – Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth.  www.bustinskin.com

8 July – Walk For Whales, 5 mile sponsored charity walk.  Free entry to the Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park for all participants.  www.walkforwhales.org

9 to 13 July – NSSA Regatta – WPNSA www.wpnsa.org.uk

12 July – Moving Tides Children’s Procession – Weymouth Beach.

12 July – Olympic Torch Relay Evening Celebration – Weymouth Beach.

13 & 14 July – Desert Crossing (Cultural Olympiad Event).

14 July – Big Grove Summer Festival – Portland

14 & 15 July – Upwey Village Open Gardens

14 & 15 July – Portland Steam and Vintage Show – Moors Farm, Knights in the Bottom, Chickerell. www.theportlandsteamshow.co.uk

20 July to 5 Aug – Memo Project, Phase II (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Bower’s Quarry, Portland.  www.memoproject.org

21 July – Push the Boat Out – RYA Event, Sailing Clubs, Training Centres and marina around Weymouth and Portland.

21 & 22 July – WykeFest – Food and Drink Festival – Value House, Wyke Regis, Weymouth.  www.wykefest.co.uk

22 July – Music in the Park – Greenhill Gardens, 2 pm to 4.30 pm

22 July – Open Water Swim Series – Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth.  www.bustinskin.com

25 July to 9 Sept – #media2012 (Cultural Olympiad Event).

25 July to 3 Aug – Nowhere Island – Furzy Cliffs. www.nowhereisland.org

27 July to 12 Aug – B-Side Weymouth (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Various locations across the town.

26 July – Battle for the Winds (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Weymouth Beach. www.battleforthewinds.com

27 July – London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony

27 July – 12 Aug – London 2012 Olympic Games

27 July – 12 Aug – Weymouth Beach 2012 Live Site and Beach Sports – Weymouth Beach

27 July – 12 Aug – Weymouth Bayside Festival – Pavilion Peninsular.

27 July – 12 Aug – Walk2012 - www.walk2012.co.uk

27 July – Battle for the Winds – Pursuit (Cultural Olympiad Event), Artillery Battery, Portland.

27 July – Welcome Song and Coastal Voices (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Weymouth Beach Live Site

26 July to 9 Sept – ICCI 360 (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Pavilion Forecourt.  A mixed programme of live performance and film in this 360o immersive digital arena.

27 July to 12 Aug – On Board (Cultural Olympiad Event).

27 July to 9 Sept – Animate (Cultural Olympiad Event).

27 July to 9 Sept – Sail for Gold – Our Sporting Life (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Hope Square.

27 July to 9 Sept – Offshore (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Portland.

27 July to 9 Sept – Exploratory Laboratory (Ex Lab) – Cultural Olympiad Event.

28 July – Battle for the Winds – Finale (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Weymouth Beach.

28 July – Breathe (Cultural Olympiad Event).

28 July – Portland Gooseberry Fayre – Weston, Portland.

29 July to 11 Aug – London 2012 Olympic Games Sailing – WPNSA

30 July to 12 Aug – The Boat Project (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Hope Square.

August 2012

4 & 5 Aug – The Big Grin (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Weymouth Beach.

5 Aug – ABBA’s Angels Concert with Firework Finale – Nothe Fort.  Booking Essesntial  www.nothfort.org.uk

5 Aug – Weymouth Angling Centre Junior Competition – Stone Pier, Weymouth.  www.weymouthanglingsociety.com

6 to 11 Aug – Weymouth Art Group Annual Art Exhibition – Weymouth Library.

10 & 11 Aug – A Dance A Day (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Town Centre.

11 Aug – ABBA Sensation!  UK’s leading 4-piece tribute. Live, at Portland’s Royal Manor Theatre.  01305 860792. www.rmtcportland.co.uk

13 to 18 Aug – Compass Festival (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Bay Theatre, Weymouth College.

14 Aug – Pirates and Mermaids – Portland Musuem.  www.portlandmuseum.co.uk

15 Aug – Weymouth Carnival and Fireworks – Weymouth Seafront.

18 Aug – Summer Fete, Easton Gardens – Portland.

18 & 19 Aug – Victorian Street Fayre – Nothe Fort.  www.nothefort.org.uk

19 to 26 Aug – Weymouth Open Bowls Tournament.  www.weymouthbowlstourney.co.uk

19 Aug – Open Water Swim Series – Bowleaze Cove.  www.bustinskin.com

24 to 27 Aug – Refresh on the Beach - Weymouth Beach.

25 Aug to 9 Sept – The Matchstick Fleet – Nothe Fort.  www.nothefort.org.uk

26 Aug – Garden Party – Portland Museum.  www.portlandmuseum.co.uk

26 Aug – Weymouth Angling Club Crab Day – Weymouth Angling Society.

26 Aug – Dragon Boat Racing – Weymouth Beach.

29 Aug – London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony.

29 Aug to 9 Sept – B-Side, Portland (Cultural Olympiad Event).

29 Aug to 9 Sept – Creating the Spectacle (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Osprey Leisure Centre, Portland.

30 Aug to 9 Sept – London 2012 Paralympics Games – Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

September 2012

Throughout the month – Artwey’s Giant Wall - www.artwey.co.uk

1 & 2 Sept – Weymouth Angling Society Shore Festival – Dorset Coastline.

2 Sept – Open Water Swim Series, Bowleaze Cove.  www.bustinskin.com

2 Sept – Help for Heroes Barrel Roll – Weymouth Harbourside.

7 Sept – Dinosaurs Not Allowed and dance about like fleas (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Weymouth Pavilion Forecourt.

8 Sept – Dinosaurs Not Allowed, Youth and Traditional Dance (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Weymouth Esplanade.

8 Sept – A Dance A Day (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Weymouth and Portland.

8 Sept – Teenage Rampage (Cultural Olympiad Event) – Weymouth.

9 Sept – Bandstand Marathon – Weymouth Seafront

22 Sept to 5 Oct – SB3 Sailing Championships – Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

23 Sept – Bustinskin Middle Distance Triathlon – Portland.  www.bustinskin.com

24 to 28 Sept – Weymouth International Boat Angling Challenge – Weymouth Bay.  www.weymouthanglingsociety.com

October 2012

7 to 13 Oct – October Beer Festival – Weymouth Pavilion.

14 Oct – Beach Motocross – Weymouth Beach.

20 Oct - Weymouth 10 mile road race – Start Weymouth Seafront.

24 Oct – United Nations Day, Flag Raising – Lady Diana Gardens, Radipole Park Drive.

24 Oct – Bedlam and Broomsticks – Nothe Fort.  www.nothefort.org.uk

27 Oct – Pumpkins in the Park – Greenhill Gardens.

27 & 28 Oct – Weymouth Model Railway Exhibition – Wey Valley School.

November 2012

5 Nov – Weymouth Community Guy Fawkes Celebrations – Weymouth Beach.

11 Nov – Remembrance Sunday, Service and parade – Weymouth Seafront & Portland Cenotaph.

December 2012

2 Dec – Sparkle in the Park – Lodmoor.

9 Dec – I’m Dreaming of Wyke Christmas – Wyke Village Square.

9 Dec – Scrooge’s Christmas Presence – Nothe Fort. www.nothefort.org.uk

16 Dec – Chase the Pudding – Weymouth Beach.

25 Dec – Lions Club Christmas Swim – Weymouth Harbour.

31 Dec – New Year’s Eve Fancy Dress and Revelry – Throughout the Borough.

Events can be subject to change/cancellation due to weather/operational restraints and conditions. Please contact the Tourism Information Centre on 01305 785747 before travelling.

The festival continues tomorrow, May Bank Holiday Monday, when visitors to Weymouth will be treated to more incredible team displays and huge multicoloured showcase kites.

Weymouth Beach Kite Festival will return in 2013 again over the May Bank Holiday. Why not make a weekend of it? Early booking is advisable though as this event is very popular and rooms fill very quickly.

You will fly along the Dorset and East Devon coastline, dive deep beneath the Jurassic oceans, slip through hyperspace to other spectacular World Heritage Sites and explore environmental issues of today. There’s 185 million years of history to discover and judging from the quick preview in this video it’s going to be an amazing experience.

You’ll soon be able find out lots more and book your tickets at http://www.jurassicairlines.co.uk/

The 53m high attraction will not only have amazing views of the Jurassic coastline and Portland, but will also be a spectacular landmark!

To enter the competition just go to the Weymouth Sealife Tower Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/WeymouthTower

The winners of the competition will be among the very first members of the public to ride the tower. We would also like them to help us with designed and creating future events at the Tower.

It’s a wonderful showcase for Weymouth and the surrounding area and highlights just how exciting it is for the Greatest Show on Earth to be visiting the town.

As with all major sporting events things will change a little in Weymouth while the Sailing events of 2012 are taking place. The town will be much much busier and there are going to be more traffic regulations in place which will cause a little inconvenience. Don’t worry though we’ll be posting information here soon to help our guest with advice on the best times to come into the town, where to park etc.

The plus side of course is that if you visit us over the Olympic period it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity with a huge about of extra fun events taking place in the town, many of which will be completely free as well as the sailing of course which will be taking place out in the bay.

More information very soon but for now why not take a look at the video and share our excitement !

This can be a perfect time to take a break in Weymouth. The weather is more often than not surprisingly good and the town is just that little bit quieter as the main holiday season hasn’t started yet. Can make for a very relaxing break.

Full details can be found on our Breaks and Offers page.

Images of the sandcastle and Weymouth’s famous beach are being sent around the globe with the message that Weymouth and Portland, hosts of the 2012 Sailing events, are ready to welcome the world.

The beach was chosen as the location for the 100 days to go countdown because during the Olympic Games it will be where visitors come to enjoy the sport, festivals, new attractions and a host of free events.

Weymouth beach will be transformed into ‘Weymouth & Portland Live’ where up to 15,000 visitors a day will enjoy the Games’ Sailing and other sporting events for free. Two giant 60 sqm screens will broadcast live BBC coverage of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Next to the live site there will be an interactive Sports Arena where up to 2,000 people will get the chance to try exciting sports including sailing, football, rugby, volleyball, cricket, bowling and kayaking.

The beach will also be the focal point for many cultural events taking place as part of the ‘Maritime Mix London 2012 Cultural Olympiad by the Sea’. The Cultural Olympiad includes world class theatre, earth science and art, open-air mass choir performances, video projections, art, music and more.

The previous night, 12 July the Olympic torch will spend the night in Weymouth and there will be a full programme of events on Weymouth beach. As yet there has been no announcement as to what will be taking place during the event but rumours are that it will be pretty spectacular. We understand 15,000 people are expected to join in the celebrations and that although free it will be necessary to apply for tickets. As soon as we have more news will post it on our website with advice for our guests on how to apply for tickets.

The Olympic Torch Relay in Dorset 12 – 14 July

• 12 July – the Olympic Torch Relay will start its route through Dorset, passing through: Shaftesbury, Fontmell Magna, Iwerne Minster, Stourpaine, Blandford Forum, Winterborne Whitechurch, Milborne St Andrew, Puddletown, Dorchester, Winterbourne Abbas, Bridport, Chideock, Lyme Regis, Burton Bradstock, Abbotsbury, Portesham, Chickerell, Wyke Regis, Osprey Quay, Portland and then to Weymouth for an evening celebration

• 13 July – the Olympic torch relay will continue its route through Dorset, passing through: Portland Bill, Southwell, Weston, Easton, Portland, Fortuneswell, Weymouth, Preston, Osmington, Winfrith Newburgh, Wool, Corfe Castle, Swanage, Stoborough, Wareham, Sandford, Lytchett Minster, Upton, Hamworthy, Poole, Ashley Cross, Branksome, Wallisdown, and then into Bournemouth for an evening celebration

• 14 July – the torch will conclude its route through Dorset starting out in Bournemouth and visiting Boscombe and Christchurch

The tower is a futuristic 53 metre steel construction that  will take visitors to the top in a revolving gondola from which visitors will enjoy incredible views of the Jurassic Coast, Portland and from what we hear right across Weymouth town and onwards towards the Fleet and Abbotsbury.

Scheduled to open to the public in July the Tower has a post on their Facebook page today advising that opening has now been brought forward to 22nd June.

Tickets can now be booked online at special rates by visiting The Weymouth Sealife Tower website at www.weymouth-tower.com

The map below shows the location of the tower which as you can see is a pleasant stroll of about ten minutes along the seafront from Wenlock House. If you would prefer though you could take the land train from almost opposite the guesthouse to the tower.