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 – the heart of the Jurassic Coast. The town and the 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.
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.
Where to Stay
We recommend booking a cottage with holidaycottages.co.uk or Dorset Hideaways. There’s also Newlands Holiday Park in nearby Charmouth.
For a comprehensive list of local options, visit our Accommodation page.
Lyme Regis Museum
No trip to Lyme Regis would be complete without fossil hunting, and the Lyme Regis Museum – built on the site of Mary Anning’s birthplace – runs regular fossil hunting walks. Join the museum’s expert geologists to discover your own Jurassic treasure – ammonites, belemnites and maybe even an ichthyosaur!
Lyme Regis Seafront
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 & Town
Lyme Regis’ famous Cobb wall, dating from the 13th century, provides protection from the harbour and has allowed 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.
Lyme Regis’ town itself is an attractive maze of narrow winding streets that are well worth exploring.
