Home to famous Georgian fossil collector and palaeontologist Mary Anning, Lyme Regis is well known as one the best places on the Jurassic Coast to hunt for fossils.
This quaint and stylish seaside town is also gaining a reputation as a foodie’s paradise with numerous seafood bars, bistros and restaurants to choose from.
With a safe and sandy beach, fabulous coastal walks, independent shopping and a calendar full of events to entertain one and all, Lyme Regis is not short of interesting things to see and do!
Family friendly beaches
Lyme Regis offers a variety of beaches to suit everyone’s tastes!
Why not pack up your bucket and spade and head to Lyme Regis' sandtastic Town Beach. Let the kids (and grown-ups!) get creative building and creating magnificent sandcastles and sea creatures. Take time out from the busy building and splash around in the sea or play a game or two of bat and ball or you could just sit back, relax and feel the sand between your toes!! There’s nothing like a bit of beach therapy and Lyme Regis offers it in bucket loads!
Head over to Monmouth Beach and hunt for some fossils and marvel at the layer of limestone called the ammonite graveyard or the ammonite pavement due to the large number of ammonites it contains. Why not follow in the footsteps of Mary Anning and try and uncover your very own Ichthyosaur!
Mary Anning - an unsung hero
Mary Anning was born into a very poor family in 1799 at Lyme Regis. Her father was an amateur fossil collector and by the age of 5 or 6, Mary would go out fossil collecting with him - which at the time was a very unusual thing for Georgian girls to do.
Her father taught Mary how to look for and clean the fossils they found on the beach, and often displayed and sold them from his shop.
At the age of 12, Mary, along with her brother, discovered the first complete Ichthyosaur skeleton and another 12 years later was the first to discover a complete Plesiosaur. Her fossils were some of the most significant geological finds of the time and her ichthyosaur, plesiosaur and pterosaur are showcased at London's Natural History Museum.
Sadly, Mary died at the age of 47 and was still in financial difficulties despite a lifetime of extraordinary scientific discoveries.
You can find out more about Mary at the Lyme Regis Museum which is built on the site of her home and fossil shop.
The Cobb, Lyme Regis
A trip to Lyme Regis wouldn’t be complete without a stroll around the iconic Cobb harbour. On a clear day and you will be rewarded with some of the finest views along the coast. If it’s a bit grey and murky outside then don’t despair as this is when The Cobb is full of atmosphere!
Meryl Streep brought fame to the area in the film The French Lieutenant’s Woman - standing motionless all clad in black at the end of the Cobb. Jane Austen’s novel, Persuasion, was also written and part set here.
Full of history, romance and scenery, The Cobb is a beautiful place just to sit, watch and dream.
Eating Out and Takeaways
There are some fabulous restaurants, cafes and pubs in Lyme Regis.
Enjoy a meal overlooking the Bay as the sun sets, grab traditional fish and chips to enjoy on the beach or a decadent afternoon tea as a treat.
Many support our local farmers and fishermen by using Dorset's local produce and fresh fish caught that day in their dishes.
Shopping
You'll find a great range of small, independent shops as well as high street brands in this quaint, coastal town.
Shop for clothing, jewellery and gifts or pick some delicious Dorset local produce to enjoy later.
Being a town famous for fossil hunting, you'll find shops selling fossils and gem stones in jewellery, artwork or homeware.
Just a few minutes’ walk from the seafront you will find Town Mill - a unique mix of a working watermill, art galleries and creative artisanal businesses. The Mill itself produces excellent flour and is surrounded by Courtyard Cafe, Lyme Regis Brewery, Town Mill Pottery, Ad Lucem Jewellery, Lyme Stone stonemasonry and Sew La Di Da Vintage.
Things to Do in Lyme Regis
Where do we start?? Rib rides, walks, museums, aqauriums, crabbing, fossil hunting…..the list goes on! There’s plenty for you to see and do in Lyme Regis, the question is are you going to have enough time to fit it all in??
Whatever the weather we're sure that you'll find plenty to fill your days and more in Lyme Regis!
What’s On in Lyme Regis
Now, where do we start! If there’s a charming seaside town that pulls out all the stops to put on an amazing events programme then its Lyme Regis!
Delight at desplays and parades, take in a show, chill out to some jazz and blues or grab your guitar and head down to the beach to join in a record-breaking attempt to become Britain’s biggest band! There are loads of festivals to enjoy throughout the year celebrating food, art and even fossils!
Why not stay a while?
All sound good? Then why not book a break to Lyme Regis and take some time to truly relax and make the most of this beautiful seaside town!
Whether you’re looking for a hotel or B&B so that you can be waited on hand or foot, fancy a little seaside cottage as a retreat or are looking for a taste of the outdoors on a camping or caravan holiday, there’s plenty of choice!
For more information visit the Lyme Regis Tourism website or download our Lyme Regis Visitor Guide (please contact us for an accessible version of this Guide).
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