Lyme Regis Guide

Jurassic Coast, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK. — Jurassic Coast, Lyme Regis, Dorset

Lyme Regis is the most westerly town in Dorset 25 miles (40km) west of Dorchester and 25 miles east of Exeter situated in the sweeping Lyme Bay, at the mouth of the River Lym on the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its abundance of fossils preserved in its limestone, greensand and clay cliffs.

The Cobb, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK. — The Cobb, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK

Lyme Regis (or just "Lyme") is nicked the "The Pearl of Dorset" and is mentioned in Jane Austen's novel Persuasion and in John Fowles' The French Lieutenant's Woman. Fowles, indeed, was a resident of the town in his later life and honorary curator of Lyme Regis Museum.

Lyme Regis has a population of just over 3,600 residents though this swells considerably in the summer tourist season as visitors flock to this popular seaside resort on the south coast from all over Britain and the rest of the world.

Lyme Bay, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK. — Lyme Bay, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK

Lyme Regis History

Lyme Regis is mentioned in the Norman Domesday Book of 1086 and developed as an important fishing and trading port during the 13th century, gaining a Royal Charter from King Edward I in 1284 when 'Regis' (meaning 'Royal') was added to the town's name. The Royal Charter was confirmed by Queen Elizabeth I in 1591.

During the English Civil War in 1644 Parliamentarian forces allied to Oliver Cromwell held out in Lyme during an eight-week siege of the town by Royalist forces under Prince Maurice.

Monmouth Beach in Lyme Regis gets its name from the Duke of Monmouth who landed here in a failed attempt to overthrow King James II in 1685. 74 men from the rebellion were sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered by the infamous Judge Jeffreys in nearby Dorchester.

Discoveries of fossils by Mary Anning (1799-1847), among others, attracted new attention to the area around Lyme and the town holds an annual Mary Anning Day and Lyme Regis Fossil Festival. A 3-foot ichthyosaurus discovered by Mary Anning is now in the Natural History Museum in London. A recent movie, Ammonite starring Kate Winslet as Mary Anning has drawn attention to the achievements of this remarkable woman. However, the lesbian love interest of the story is somewhat controversial.

A fossil of the world's largest moth was discovered in Lyme in 1966 and the ammonite motif can be seen everywhere around town.

The Harbour, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK. — The Harbour, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK

Lyme Regis Attractions

The historic Cobb is probably Lyme Regis' main attraction. First constructed in the 13th century, the Cobb was strengthened over time and the safe haven it provided for ships was part of the reason for Lyme Regis' growth as an important port and shipbuilding centre. The Cobb has been washed away a number of times over its history and subsequently rebuilt and reinforced. As recently as 2006 the structure was strengthened with extra shingle and Normandy sand.

An old, wooden harbour warehouse, the Lyme Regis Aquarium on the Cobb contains a collection of locally found fish and marine creatures. Run by a local family - the Gollops, the aquarium building dates from 1723 (though the museum opened in 1958) - look out for the 19th century Toll Board affixed to the outside of the building. Creatures on display include local crabs, lobsters, starfish and a number of species of fish: dogfish, plaice, dab, mullet and wrasse.

You may have to share your beach space with a gull or two. — You may have to share your beach space with a gull or two

The Lyme Regis Museum on Bridge Street has exhibits on the area's geology, history and fossils including a Mary Anning Wing plus information on Jane Austen, the locally-born philanthropist Thomas Coram (1668-1751), known for his work in caring for homeless children, the author John Fowles and the Bindon Landslip of 1839. Lyme Regis Museum is built on the site of Mary Anning's birthplace and family shop.

Housed in a former Congregational Church on Coombe Street, Dinosaurland Fossil Museum is a private museum, owned and run by paleontologist Steve Davies and his wife. Dinosaurland has over 10,000 local fossils on display.

The main beaches at Lyme Regis are Back Beach, Monmouth Beach, Town Beach and Church Beach. Lyme Regis' beaches are mostly pebble, though there are areas of sandy beach, ideal for making sand castles, especially at Town Beach and Church Beach, where the River Lym flows into the sea. Monmouth Beach spreads southwest from The Cobb past Lyme Regis Bowling Club.

Lyme Regis in summer, Dorset, England. — Lyme Regis in summer, Dorset, England

The 7-mile (11km) walk between Lyme Regis and Seaton is part of the much longer South West Coast Path through the Undercliffs National Nature Reserve and can easily be done in a day.

The path passes through beautiful and varied countryside including woodland, grassland and wheat fields. There are occasionally spectacular views of the sea in Lyme Bay as you walk. The frequent landslides and general inaccessibility of the area have created a fascinating natural habitat, full of interesting plants and animals. Look out for the wonderful ferns, ash and field maple.

It was in the Haven Cliff area that Britain's largest recorded landslip occurred in 1839. The Bindon Landslip drew thousands of curious Victorian tourists as 15 acres of land slipped seaward creating a huge chasm and the outcrop known as Goat Island in the bay.

After refreshment in Seaton, walkers can continue 2 miles onto Beer or return by CoastlinX53 bus to Lyme Regis and marvel at how far you have just walked.

Boat on a beach, Lyme Regis. — Boat on a beach, Lyme Regis

Lyme Regis's Tourist Office (Tel: 01297 442138) is on Church Street and is closed on Sundays.

Lyme Regis makes for a good base to walk along the Jurassic Coast and also to visit nearby Weymouth, Cerne Giant, Portland, Chesil Beach, Shaftesbury and Sherborne.

Lyme Regis Shopping & Entertainment

Lyme has a number of specialist shops selling fossils and antiques and you can also purchase fossil samples at the shop in Dinosaurland Fossil Museum. Locally produced food is on sale in many stores in Lyme, which also has branches of Boots the chemist, Co-op & Tesco's.

Pubs and restaurants in Lyme include The Cobb Arms, The Bay Hotel, The Harbour Inn and The Rock Point Inn on Broad Street.

View of The English Channel on the Lyme to Seaton walk, Dorset, UK. — View of The English Channel on the Lyme to Seaton walk

Lyme Regis Hotels

Lyme Regis has numerous hotels, B&B's and guest houses available for the tens of thousands who arrive each year. Noted places to stay include the boutique Hotel 1 Lyme, Dorset House on Pound Road, the nearby Mariners Hotel on Silver Street, Westwood Guest House on Woodmead Road, the Fernhill Hotel in Charmouth and a little north of Lyme, The Trinity. See here for a full listing of hotels, self-catering apartments and guest houses in the Lyme area.

Lyme Regis, Dorset. — Lyme Regis, Dorset

Lyme Regis Access - Getting To Lyme Regis

Axminster Station is the nearest station to Lyme Regis and is on the South West train line between London Waterloo and Exeter St. David's Station. Unfortunately, the branch line to Lyme Regis from Axminster was closed in the Beeching cuts in 1965.

There are a number of buses running from Axminster Station on the South West line from Waterloo to Exeter St. David's Station and from Exeter north to Bath and Bristol.

There are buses via Uplyme to Lyme Regis and Weymouth (31), to Chard and Taunton (30A), Honiton and Exeter (380) and Colton and Seaton (885) from Axminster Station.

Buses to Lyme Regis direct include the CoastlinX53 from Exeter to Bournemouth, arriving at Lyme Post Office. The 31 from Axminster to Weymouth also goes via Lyme. The town bus #71 runs daily from around 9 am to just before 5 pm.

There are summer visitor Park And Ride services in Lyme Regis, Bridport and Weymouth. and an all-round scheme in Dorchester.

The A35 runs north east of Lyme Regis towards Honiton. The A3052 runs through Lyme Regis. The pleasant Dorset town of Beaminster is 15 miles on the B3165 or the A35 and A3066.