Lyme regis

The historic seaside town of Lyme Regis nestles in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at the point where the rugged West Dorset and East Devon coastlines meet, at the heart of the Jurassic Coast. The town and its surrounding area are renowned for their natural beauty, and it has a fascinating history stretching back to the 8th century.

Lyme Regis is also famous as the birthplace of Mary Anning, one of history’s most important fossil collectors and palaeontologists. You can learn more about Mary’s extraordinary life and discoveries at Lyme Regis Museum, which is built on the site of her family’s home.

How to Get There

The Jurassic Coaster bus service runs regularly through Lyme Regis. The nearest railway station is at Axminster, five miles to the north, and is connected to Lyme Regis via a bus service. By road, the A3052 runs through Lyme Regis.

Car Parking & Facilities

Monmouth Beach and Cabanya car parks to the west of the town are two minutes’ walk from the beach via flat gravel.

Holmbush and Charmouth Road long stay car parks are located to either side of the town and are a ten minute walk down a steep hill. Check Parkopedia for the latest pricing information for these two car parks and others in town.

There are multiple public toilets in Lyme Regis along the beach front and in car parks.

Disabled toilets are available at Charmouth Road, Monmouth Beach and Holmbush car parks, and on Broad Street in town. Monmouth Beach and Cabanya car parks to the west of town offer easy flat access to the beach.

Beach matting is in place at Front Beach and Monmouth Beach.

Beach Information & Dogs

The beaches in Lyme Regis are a mixture of sand and pebbles. Monmouth Beach to the far west of the town is very pebbly. Bathing here can be dangerous, as the beach shelves steeply and there is a strong undertow.

The Town beach has a sloping pebbly section and a flat, sandy beach by the Cobb. Church Cliff has rock armour and East Cliff is pebbly and known for fossils. See our guide to Fossil Collecting for more information.

If you’re planning to walk along the beach between Lyme Regis and Charmouth, please check the tide times in advance as it’s easy to be cut off by the incoming tide. There are RNLI lifeguards on duty during peak season.

Dogs are allowed all year on East Cliff, Church Cliff and Monmouth Beach. On the white sandy Town Beach, no dogs are allowed between April and October. From November to March dogs are allowed on the Town Beach, but must be on a lead.

Things to See and Do

Lyme Regis Museum

No trip to Lyme Regis would be complete without fossil hunting, and Lyme Regis Museum, built on the site of Mary Anning’s birthplace, run regular fossil hunting walks. Join the museum’s expert geologists to discover your own Jurassic treasure – ammonites, belemnites and maybe even an ichthyosaur!

Lyme’s unspoilt seafront, with sheltered south-facing beaches, provides a perfect environment in which children can play and adults can relax in the traditional deckchairs that still line the promenade in Summer. There are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy fishing trips and watersports such as sailing and windsurfing.

The Cobb

Lyme Regis’ famous Cobb wall, dating from the 13th century, provides protection from the sea for the harbour, and has enabled the town to develop as an important port on the south coast. A walk along the Cobb is a must for any visitor, enabling you to walk in the footsteps of the characters in John Fowles’ The French Lieutenant’s Woman.

If you’re walking on the Cobb, please be aware that it has uneven surfaces (it’s 700 years old remember!), and the ground can be slippery in wet weather. There are no railings around the edge so it’s best to stick to the middle and admire the stunning panoramic views from there.

Lyme Regis Fossil Festival

The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival is a popular annual event that runs every May Day Bank Holiday weekend. It draws fossil enthusiasts from all over the country and offers a mix of walks, talks, music, theatre, exhibits and lots of hands-on science for all ages.