There are so many things to do on Lyme Regis holidays...
Lyme Regis is a quaint seaside town, nestled in a great position on the famous Jurassic Coast. Only 2 ½ hours from London by train, and with plenty to keep the whole family entertained, it’s a great choice for a short break by the sea. With our selection of lovely holiday cottages in Lyme Regis, it’s easy to come and spend a weekend exploring this traditional coastal town. To help you make the most of your break, we’ve put together a guide on things to see and do during your break…
Visit the Marine Theatre
Loacted on the seafront, the Marine perhaps has one of the most beautiful views of of any theatre in the country. This much-loved building has been standing for over 125 years, and the site was a sea water baths before that! However, today they're a well-known and nationally-respected theatre, hosting a varied programme including films, plays, comedy, live bands and more. You can find out exactly what's on at the Marine Theatre during your visit here.
Hunt for fossils on Lyme Regis Beach
Fossil hunting is a must during a holiday to Lyme Regis. Sat right on the Jurassic Coast, it’s known as one of the best places to find relics of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods – some fossils found here are up to 190 million years old! Lyme Regis has a long history of fossil hunting, including being the home to Mary Anning, who discovered the first ichthyosaur fossil in 1811.
The best way to discover your own fossils is to join a guided walk, held regularly by the Lyme Regis Museum. During these tours, a trained guide will give a talk about fossils and how to find them, before taking you onto the beach to look for yourself. It’s likely you’ll find ammonites and belemnites, which you can take home with you at the end of the day.
Explore Lyme Regis Museum
For a glimpse of some larger fossils, why not pop into a museum? Lyme Regis Museum is open every day in the summer, providing a great insight into this history and geology of the area, including some incredible fossil examples. The fossil gallery is particularly interesting, with drawers to open and interactive displays that children will enjoy. There’s also a fun quiz and family activities to keep them busy! Meanwhile, the spiral staircase leads you up to another gallery, focusing on the famous artists and writers who lived in and visited Lyme Regis over the years.
Discover Dinosaurland Fossil Museum
For more fossil examples, pay a visit to Dinosaurland Fossil Museum, which contains over 12,000 exhibits on display, including real Chinese dinosaurs and even some dinosaur dung! This is a popular dinosaur musuem for families, and shows how the world has developed since the days when dinosaurs roamed.
Hold a Starfish at Lyme Regis Marine Museum
Lyme Regis Marine Museum is a great day out for all the family. Both young and old will love the chance to discover the local fish and marine life up close - browse the interesting historic exhibits and presentations, then take the opportunity to meet the fascinating creatures themselves! It's a truly interactive experience that allows you to really get involved - hold a starfish, feed the mullet and meet some lobsters and crabs. There really is plenty to see and do during your visit, and you're bound to leave with a new-found respect and interest in the life that lives beneath the waves.
Walk from Lyme Regis to Charmouth
There are some lovely Lyme Regis walks to choose from during your holiday. Simply wandering around the town is a joy in itself, with unusual shops, cosy tearooms, colourful cottages and cobbled streets. However, if you wish to go further, one popular walk is between Lyme Regis and Charmouth. This circular route takes walkers out of Lyme Regis along the South West Coast Path, which leads all the way to the charming village of Charmouth. You can then return along the beach.
Another option is through Langmoor and Lister Gardens, an award-winning seafront garden full of flowers and lawns, with spectacular ocean views. This is a great choice for anyone looking to enjoy a less taxing stroll.
Meanwhile, the Undercliff is a nearby nature reserve full of woodland, created from a series of landslips. The South West Coast Path runs straight through here, making it a great choice for walkers hoping to enjoy a tranquil stroll through the Dorset countryside.
Play a round at Lyme Regis Golf Club
This 18-hole, par 71 course is known as one of the finest golf courses in the South West. Balanced on the top of cliff, golfers can enjoy some spectacular views towards Portand Bill and Lyme Regis as they play. The sea breeze and challenging course means that Lyme Regis Golf Club provides a real test to both experts and beginners. And once you've finished your game, you can pop into the Clubhose to relax and unwind. Visitors are welcome on the course, although it's recommended to book a tee time in advance.
Spend a day on the beach
Lyme Regis has four beaches to choose from, all with their own attractions. The most popular is probably Town beach – a man-made sandy beach where the sand has been imported from France (most of the beaches in the region are pebbled). It’s a pleasant, sheltered beach which is popular with families during the summer. There are also lots of places nearby selling ice cream, fish and chips and other drinks and snacks.
Meanwhile, Monmouth beach is known for its colourful beach huts, which can be hired. This beach is a good spot for fossil hunting, which a layer of limestone that’s been nicknamed the ‘ammonite graveyard’. The final two beaches are also great for exploring; Church Cliff beach, which has plenty of rock pools during low tide, and East Cliff, which is another good fossil spot but gets cut off at high tide.
Buy souvenirs in Lyme Regis shops
Lyme Regis is a great place to enjoy a spot of shopping, from popular high street stores to a fantastic selection of independent shops and boutiques throughout the town. We’d recommend seeing what you can find in the Town Mill; a working watermill not far from the seafront, which sells all kinds of arts and crafts as well as a gallery. Meanwhile, the town’s winding streets are home to all manner of charming shops selling homeware, antiques, clothes, toys and more! There are also some lovely second-hand bookshops to discover, as well as a famous fossil shop selling some ancient finds.
Walk along the Cobb
One of Lyme Regis’ most iconic landmarks, the Cobb has been sheltering the harbour from the elements ever since it was built in the 14th Century. It’s been a popular place to walk ever since, providing fantastic views over the town and all along the Jurassic Coast. The Cobb was made particularly famous thanks to its cameo in the 1981 film, The French Lieutenants Woman, starring Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons.
Visitors can either enjoy a stroll on the main path or climb the steps and follow the high wall all the way to the end. However, the latter can get very wet and slippery, and so should be avoided during bad weather.
Try some fresh seafood
Last but not least, no visit to Lyme Regis is complete without sampling some delicious sea food. It’s some of the freshest you’ll find anywhere in the country, and the experienced local chefs know just how to prepare it to get the most of the beautiful flavours. You won’t be able to go far without finding somewhere serving traditional fish and chips or an extensive seafood platter, but our favourite eateries are the ones right on the water’s edge, where you can dig in while admiring the view over the waves. Learn more about our best eateries in Lyme Regis here.
Finding out what's on and upcoming events in Lyme Regis
With so much to see and do, a weekend in Lyme Regis always seems to fly by! You can see exactly what's going on in the town here, as well as plan ahead for your next break!
Make the most of your precious break with a stay in one of our lovely self-catering cottages. After a long day exploring everything the town has to offer, there’s nothing like returning to your very own home from home to relax and relive your adventures.
Book a holiday cottage in Lyme Regis today.