Although many visitors to the area come to search for fossils (and rarely leave disappointed!), Lyme Regis is worth a visit in its own right, with its quaint streets, picturesque buildings, and bustling harbour area. One of the South East’s most popular holiday destinations, the town also has a wide range of restaurants, bars and shops, making it a great choice for either a day out, or a much longer stay.
Read on for some of the best things to do in Lyme Regis and the surrounding area.
Explore all four beaches
If it’s the quintessential British seaside experience you’re looking for, you won’t be disappointed by Lyme Regis, which has no less than four separate beaches to choose from:
- Front Beach is the safest beach for swimming and paddling, and is maintained daily by the local council. There are lifeguard stations, toilet facilities, beach-side showers, and various refreshments on offer.
- Church Cliff Beach is accessed by a set of steps, and has rocky ledges, broken up by some stretches of sand.
- Monmouth Beach is a pebble beach much loved by fossil hunters.
- East Cliff Beach should be visited with caution - there are extensive mudflows there, and unstable cliffs, which make it the quietest of the town’s beaches.
Book a beach hut
Nothing screams ‘British seaside’ quite like a row of colourfully-painted beach huts. The ones on Lyme Regis seafront can be hired by the day or week, but they also make for a pretty good photo opportunity, even if you’re just walking past them on a seaside stroll.
See sea-life up close
Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium may be small, but that’s what allows it to provide such a personal, up-close experience, with visitors able to feed the fish, and handle starfish, crabs, and other sea creatures. You can also learn about the history of The Cobb, and get to know more about Lyme Regis and its aquatic residents.
Visit Lyme Regis Museum
Just in case you haven’t had quite enough fossils, Lyme Regis Museum offers guided fossil walks which provide a good introduction for anyone new to fossil-hunting, along with tons of fascinating information on the town’s history and culture.
Visit The Cobb
Much of Lyme Regis life revolves around the harbour, known as The Cobb. No one knows how the name came about, but it’s believed that there’s been a harbour in this location since the 14th century, and it still makes for an atmospheric walking and photography location. The Cobb has featured in films like The French Lieutenant's Woman and Persuasion, so you’ll be walking in some very famous footsteps as you stroll around its sides.
Go fossil hunting at the ammonite pavement
It’s been described as Britain’s best fossil-hunting destinations, with the ammonite pavement - a spectacular “graveyard” of fossils - reckoned to be the only one of its kind in the world. You’ll find ammonites of up to 70 cm in diameter here, and, if you’re a fossil enthusiast, you should probably prepare to spend several hours combing the rocks to see what you can find.
See more fossils at Dinosaurland
It might sound like a theme park, but Dinosaurland Fossil Museum is one of the best places to see some of the fascinating fossils found at Lyme Regis. The museum is located in a converted church, and contains a Natural History Room and Time Gallery, as well as the fossil collection itself, which takes up all of the ground floor, and is a must-see for anyone visiting the area for either the first or 100th time.
Take a boat trip
Once you’ve walked around The Cobb and spent some time at one of the town’s beaches, you might find yourself itching to get out on the open sea. In which case, Lyme Rib Rides should be your first port of call, for a high-speed thrill ride on a rigid inflatable.
Go fishing
There are various fishing and sightseeing trips available from The Cobb, including Harry May’s Deep Sea Fishing and Lyme Bay Boat Trips, both of which offer a range of opportunities for sea-fishing fans.
See the Town Mill
Built in the 1300s, the Town Mill is still in working order today, offering guided tours - plus, of course, an opportunity to purchase some of the flour created by it. There’s also a selection of independent shops and other businesses on-site, so be sure to leave plenty of time for a browse!
Find out what’s on at the Marine Theatre
Located right next to the sea, and originally used as a drill hall, the 125 year old Marine Theatre is now a visual arts centre, where you can watch films, listen to live music, or catch a show.
Take the kids to Axe Valley
Just outside Lyme Regis, Axe Valley Wildlife Park is a small, child-friendly zoo, which is most suitable for the under-12s, although older visitors are bound to enjoy getting up-close with some of the animals, too! Adopt an animal, play zookeeper for the day or blow off some steam in the children’s play area.
Best places to eat in Lyme Regis:
From Sunday lunch to Monday brunch, Lyme Regis has something for everyone, no matter what your culinary tastes. Here are some of the best restaurants and cafes in the area:
- Swim Restaurant. Cocktails with a view made for sharing - pick a platter to split with friends and relax in front of the full-size windows, which offer spectacular ocean views.
- River Cottage. Enjoy a traditional Sunday lunch in this 18th century setting, just a short drive from Lyme Regis itself.
- The Cobb Arms. Watch the sun go down over Lyme Bay from this traditional British pub which serves up tasty meals made from locally sourced ingredients.
- Poco Pizza. Whether you’re looking to eat in or take away (pizza on the beach, anyone?), the wood-fired pizzas from Poco are bound to hit the spot.
- Italia Ristorante & Pizzeria. As the name suggests, this authentic Italian restaurant brings a taste of the continent to the heart of Lyme Regis.
- Tierra Kitchen. Vegan and vegetarian fare at its very best, all served up on a pretty riverside terrace in the centre of town: you can even take some home with you from the on-site deli.
- The Anchor Inn at Seatown. You can’t go to the seaside without sampling at least some of the seafood on offer, and VisitEngland’s Pub of the Year (2017) is one of the best places in Lyme Regis to try some of the fresh fish, lobster and mussels which are just some of the items on the menu here.
- The Harbour Inn. As you might expect, this family-run pub is located on Lyme Regis harbour, and has a casual, family (and dog!) friendly atmosphere, plus its very own private beach where you can let the little ones burn off some energy while you enjoy a welcome glass of wine on the veranda.
- The Pilot Boat. It may not be an actual boat, but The Pilot Boat is still an iconic building in its own right, with its huge, sunlit restaurant providing the perfect location for a casual family meal, or drinks with friends.
- The Alexandra. No trip to Dorset would be complete without a cream tea (or even two!) and the orangery at the award-winning Alexandra is the perfect place to sample some of the area’s finest, plus other local dishes.
The Best Places to Stay in Lyme Regis:
Now that you know what to do, and what to eat, all that remains is to find the perfect place to stay. Check out some of these suggestions:
- Rock Point Inn. This newly-renovated inn sits right on Lyme Regis harbour, allowing you to wake up to some of the most stunning views in town.
- Mariner’s Hotel. This bright pink former coaching inn has been hosting visitors to Lyme Regis since the 17th century, and is now a luxurious boutique hotel, with beautiful views, and its own restaurant.
- The Dower House Hotel. A country-house hotel, set close enough to Lyme Regis to allow you to enjoy everything the town has to offer, before retreating to the rolling hills and luxurious surroundings of your home from home.
- Clovelly Guest House. Calming colour schemes, crisp linen, and a relaxed atmosphere make Clovelly Guest house the perfect place to relax and get away from it all, in the pretty setting of Lyme Regis.
- The Nag’s Head. The Nag’s Head has been serving beer to thirsty travellers since the 18th century, but now you can also stay the night in one of the individually designed rooms above the pretty, flower-fronted pub.
- Lyme Tree House. Located right on the Devon/Dorset border, Lyme Tree House has a garden which is frequently visited by deer, rabbits and other wildlife, plus three en-suite guest rooms with views of the surrounding countryside.
- Kate’s Farm Bed and Breakfast. Kate’s farm is a 400 year-old grade II listed farmhouse, offering bed and breakfast accommodation - can you find the secret toy room, though?
- Kersbrook Hotel If you’ve ever wanted to stay in a pretty, thatched cottage, now’s your chance! Kersbrook Hotel is an 18th century, grade II listed building with views across Lyme Regis. It’s just a short walk from the centre of town, and has its own private gardens to relax in at the end of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's Lyme Regis famous for?
Lyme Regis is the most significant place on England’s Jurassic Coast, with an ammonite pavement which is the only one of its kind in the world. Some of the largest ammonites ever found can be seen here, and the town also has two museums dedicated to fossils, and the Jurassic history of the area. In addition to fossils, Lyme Regis is also a popular tourist destination, with four beaches, The Cobb harbour, and a wide selection of restaurants, shops and bars to enjoy.
Can you go fossil hunting in Lyme Regis?
Yes! Fossil hunting is one of the main reasons for Lyme Regis’s popularity, and it’s possibly the best place in the UK to hunt fossils. If you’re not sure where to start, the Lyme Regis museum offers guided fossil hunting walks, which are an excellent introduction to what’s sure to become a favourite new hobby.
