Explore and Discover Lyme Regis

Lyme Regis is a beautiful seaside town, set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, on the border where Dorset meets Devon.  

Quaint, narrow, tangled streets that host individual shops, tempting eateries and galleries lead their way down to the famous 13th century Cobb harbour and family-friendly beaches.  

There is plenty to see and do during your visit. Take time to discover the town’s fascinating history, uncover the lost world of the Jurassic Coast and enjoy the many simple pleasures of being beside the seaside. 

The terraced Langmoor and Lister Gardens have stunning views of the beach and coastline. Here you can enjoy a peaceful woodland walk, mini golf, putting and table tennis. Or simply just sit and take in the panoramic scenery! 

Free public wi-fi is available across Front Beach, Marine Parade and Langmoor and Lister Gardens. 

Beaches and seafront

The Lyme Regis seafront boasts beautiful pebble and sandy beaches, framed by a panoramic view of the Jurassic Coast. The beaches are some of the best places in Dorset to find fossils, especially after storms. 

The sandy Front Beach is perfect for sandcastle building and the calm waters ideal for bathing, splashing and paddling. 

Stroll along Marine Parade to the Cobb harbour. The parade is an elevated promenade linking the bottom of town to the Cobb and is a great spot to sit and watch boats come and go. On clear days you will see spectacular views right around the coast to the famous Chesil Beach and as far as the Isle of Portland.  

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. 

The Lyme Bay reefs are nationally important conservation features, home to over 1,400 species of marine fauna and flora. There are plenty of ways to explore Lyme Bay by boat from one of the many trips operating from the harbour. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a pod of dolphins frolicking in the bay.  

Jurassic Coast

Lyme Regis lies at the heart of the spectacular Jurassic Coast and is an ideal base to explore this internationally famous coastline. 

The Jurassic Coast is England’s first natural World Heritage Site. It is ranked alongside the Grand Canyon and Great Barrier Reef as one of the natural wonders of the world and was awarded its status by UNESCO for its outstanding geology. 

Stretching for 95 miles between Orcombe Point in East Devon and Studland Bay in Dorset, the Jurassic Coast reveals 185 million years of the Earth’s history.  

Take in the breathtaking landscape on foot, with sections of the coast being part of the South West Coast Path national trail. To explore more of the coastline, a Jurassic Coaster bus stops at Lyme Regis and runs regularly between Axminster and Weymouth allowing you to hop on and off along the way including stops at Abbotsbury, West Bay and Charmouth. 

You could also rest out your sea legs and see the Jurassic Coast from a completely different angle on a boat trip.

Accessible Lyme

Lyme’s beaches and seafront are easily accessible for all visitors including those with wheelchairs and pushchairs. 

There is a long flat promenade next to the beaches with a lower level and upper level near the main sandy beach. 

There is a signposted step-free route connecting Langmoor Gardens with the seafront. And once at the beaches, there is beach matting at Front Beach and Monmouth Beach as well as beach wheelchairs and floating wheelchairs available for free hire at Front Beach. 

There are accessible toilets near the beaches and town centre, with parking for blue badge holders in car parks as well as on the seafront. 

Countryside

Lyme is blessed with not only an internationally renowned coastline, it is also surrounded by beautiful and scenic countryside too. 

Just a 10-minute walk alongside the River Lim leads you to rural Dorset, ending at the village of Uplyme over the county border in Devon. Plus, there are lots of other footpaths to explore inland if you want to avoid the busy beaches and seafront in summer. 

Sculpture Trail

You will find Lyme’s Sculpture Trail within Langmoor and Lister Gardens.  

The artworks are selected each year from established and upcoming artists. 

Sherborne Lane

Step back in time with a walk down Sherborne Lane into some of the oldest streets in Lyme Regis.  

At the bottom of the lane you are greeted by a small waterfall on the River Lim, which is where the river has been divided to form the ‘Lynch’ which feeds the Town Mill. As you cross Gosling Bridge, look upstream to see a unique piece of graffiti which appeared overnight in the summer of 2012. The origami crane catching a goldfish is a confirmed work by famous graffiti artist Banksy. 

Heading along Coombe Street, you may notice where the town’s old post office was from 1799 to 1853 with an old wooden posting box, said to be one of the oldest surviving posting facilities in Britain. 

Dog Friendly

If you are visiting Lyme with your dog, you’ll find a good variety of places to stay and eat out. You can even buy dog-friendly ice cream down on the seafront! 

Most of the town’s beaches welcome dogs off lead all year, and there are many walks and outdoor spaces to explore during your stay. 

Maritime Lyme

Lyme Regis’ harbour is a natural stop-off for vessels crossing Lyme Bay, with facilities for seasonal visitors including moorings, a pontoon accessible at all states of the tide, and access to showers, fresh water and power on request. 

The harbour area is also home to the thriving Boat Building Academy, where you can watch craftspeople at work using traditional methods. This is also the birthplace of Lyme Regis Gig Club's 32ft-long Cornish pilot gigs. Gig rowers can often be seen training in Lyme Bay.  

Lyme Regis Power Boat Club is also at Monmouth Beach, hosting a variety of social events and national water ski racing events.  

With some of the best sailing waters in the country, Lyme Regis Sailing Club welcomes visitors. Harbour facilities include seasonal visitors' moorings, a pontoon accessible at all states of the tide, and access to showers, fresh water and power on request. 

See more ofLyme Regis

The Cobb

The Cobb is Lyme Regis' most iconic landmark and has featured in many films.

Beaches

There are 4 beautiful beaches at Lyme Regis to choose from.

Countryside

Discover nearby Lambert's Castle and Coney's Castle.

Sculpture Trail

You'll find the Sculpture Trail in Langmoor and Lister Gardens.

Dog Friendly

There are lots of places to visit in Lyme Regis with your faithful friend.

Explore more...

Walking

Beach and fossil walks, riverside strolls or hilltop hikes, the choice is yours!

Gardens and Parks

Lyme's gorgeous gardens and parks are the perfect spot for a picnic or watching the world go by.

Fossils

Discover your own fossil from the Jurassic seas of 180 million years ago!

Be Active

Lyme Regis is the perfect place to get outdoors, breath in some fresh air and get away from it all.