If you’re looking for a sustainable seaside holiday, be sure to put Lyme Regis on your list of places to visit.
Along with eco-friendly accommodation, electric vehicle charging points, public transport options and ways to reduce single-use plastic, the town even has its own sustainable community group called Turn Lyme Green.
Eco-friendly places to stay in Lyme Regis
From hotels and B&Bs, to self-catering, glamping and holiday parks, there are lots of sustainable places to stay in or near Lyme Regis.
Many of them have won awards which shows their dedication to lowering their carbon footprint, reducing plastics and making planet-friendly improvements. While you’re visiting Lyme Regis be sure to re-use your bath towels, take showers not baths and recycle your rubbish whenever possible.
Sustainable transport and travel
Lyme Regis is easily reached by bus using the Jurassic Coaster bus services. These connect with local towns and villages, as well as the train station at nearby Axminster.
If you have an electric vehicle, there are a number of places to re-charge in Lyme Regis during your visit. If you need a quick charge, head for Charmouth Road or Holmbush car parks. For when you’re visiting the beach or want to spend longer in the town centre, you can use the slow chargers at Woodmead or Monmouth Beach car parks. The Alexandra Hotel also has EV charging stations if you’d prefer to stay somewhere that has on-site chargepoints.
Buying local produce and plastic free shopping
If you love buying local on your holidays and seek out locally produced food and drink, you’re in luck.
The Town Mill Bakery is an artisan bakery selling sourdough loaves alongside their eat-in brunch and lunch menu. A few minutes walk away you'll find the Town Mill which produces flour you can buy from the on-site shop, and there's a craft micro brewery there too. There are also a couple of bakeries on the main high street selling cakes, pasties and pies to takeaway.
The Wet Fish Shop on Marine Parade sells fresh fish, seafood and shellfish, as well ready-to-eat seafood perfect for a beach picnic. Choose from cooked shellfish and crab, a pint of prawns or large crevettes.
For something special, head to one of the town’s delicatessens to stock up on holiday supplies or perhaps take something home to remind you of your time in Dorset.
Lyme Regis' Beach Toy Library
If you are visiting Lyme Regis with children, you’ll love the Beach Toy Library which is located on the groyne between the sand and pebble beach.
Children can borrow buckets, spades and other beach toys for the day free of charge and return them to the box afterwards. Not only does this save on money and you having to carry everything to the beach, but it also gives your child a new toy to play with for the day.
If you find an abandoned toy on any of Lyme Regis’ beaches, you can leave them in the box, which saves them from going to landfill or being washed out to sea.
Refill your water bottle or coffee cup
There are lots of cafes, restaurants and shops where you can get free water refills when you take you own water bottle. But that’s not all, many will happily refill your reusable coffee cup to help reduce single use plastic – they may even give you a discount for using your own cup!
There are also a couple of drinking water fountains and taps along the seafront where you can top up your water bottle for free – fantastic for hot sunny days on the beach.
Lookout for the Refill logo to find which businesses offer this service, or download the Refill app to your smartphone.
