Lyme Regis Discovery Trail

Lyme Regis Discovery Trail Logo

Take a stroll along Marine Parade or grab a bucket and spade and head to the beach.

The Lyme Regis seafront boasts beautiful pebble and sandy beaches, framed by a panoramic view of the Jurassic Coast, England’s only natural World Heritage Site.

Marine Parade stretches about 600m from Cobb Gate in the east to Cobb Square to the west and provides an elevated promenade linking the bottom of town to the Cobb.

The radical philanthropist Thomas Hollis created the first public promenade in 1771 and invited a sickly William Pitt the Younger to Lyme for the ‘sea air’, eventually resulting in Lyme becoming a fashionable Regency bathing resort known as ‘The Naples of England’.

From 1995, a series of coastal protection and land stabilisation schemes transformed the seafront, beaches and Cart Road into what you see today. Over 30,000 tonnes of French sand and 70,000 tonnes of shingle from the Isle of Wight were imported to reinforce the existing beaches and protect the town for years to come.

There are wonderful cafés, restaurants, ice cream kiosks and shops to enjoy. Look out for markets and events in the Marine Parade Shelters and outdoor performance area, including live music during the summer months.

Download your digital version of the Lyme Regis Discover Trail map.

How does it work?

The Lyme Regis Town Map and Discovery Trail is a new way to enjoy our charming little town. We have created a trail route which takes you on a guided tour of the town, along its glorious seafront, around relaxing gardens and on a journey of discovery around its quirky back streets.

We’ve split the town into 10 key areas to allow you to navigate and learn more as you go. The trail starts at Cobb Gate and will take you roughly an hour to walk. There are plenty of public toilets and places to stop for a refreshment as you go.

Below is a brief introduction explaining how the trail works:

1. Explore

Download a digital version of the map to follow the highlighted trail around Lyme Regis. You can also pick up a free copy around many of Lyme's accommodation providers, shops, cafés and attractions.

2. Watch the video

When you reach one of our 10 destination areas, watch the short online video. Each video will give you a small insight into that location and Lyme’s rich history and cultural offerings. Why not play along with the Word Puzzle? There is a clue to solve in each area, which gives you 10 letters to solve the anagram!

3. Discover

The accompanying website page for each area will allow you to discover more about each one, including local attractions and the history.