Lyme Regis Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Lyme Regis featuring heritage architecture
This charming seaside town is a popular base for exploring Dorset’s UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast. 

Nestled between steep cliffs, Lyme Regis is speckled with bright cottages and Victorian villas. Relax on the town’s sandy beaches or join a fossil-hunting tour along its rugged coastline. 

Walk the length of the Cobb, a curving stone breakwater which dates back to the 13th century. One of Lyme Regis’ most famous attractions, the Cobb was featured in the film version of Jane Austen's Persuasion as well as in John Fowles' novel The French Lieutenant's Woman.

Learn about the town’s fascinating history at the Lyme Regis Museum in the former home of resident Mary Anning. She and her brother discovered the first ichthyosaurus skeleton near Lyme Regis around 1811. The museum has a fine collection of fossils, as well as exhibits dedicated to local writers. Look for an office chair that belonged to novelist John Fowles who was curator of the museum for 10 years.

Take the kids to Dinosaurland, which houses more than 10,000 fossils discovered in the area. Its exhibits include a 161-pound (73-kilogram) dinosaur dung specimen as well as the remains of a plesiosaurus. Check out interesting minerals and fossils for sale in the museum store. 

The Marine Aquarium, another popular family-friendly attraction, showcases the diverse species of Lyme Bay. Hand feed mullet fish, hold a starfish and see eerie spider crabs.

Head to the Town Mill Complex to sample microbrews and local cheeses. The site of a working 14th-century watermill, the complex also has a pleasant café as well as galleries for pottery and art.

Admire the plasterwork ceilings and beautiful tapestries inside Forde Abbey. Located 10 miles (16 kilometres) north of the city centre, the abbey was originally built in the 12th century as a Cistercian monastery. Be sure to explore the 30-acre (12-hectare) garden surrounding the abbey to see a number of rare flower species. 

Reach Lyme Regis by driving along one of numerous highways. You can also take the train to Axminster, with bus connections available from the station. The nearest airports are in Bristol, Exeter and Bournemouth.

The Royal Lion Hotel
The Royal Lion Hotel
3 out of 5
60 Broad St, Lyme Regis, England
The price is ₹13,024 per night from 16 May to 17 May
₹13,024
per night
16 May - 17 May
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge).
8.6/10 Excellent! (11 reviews)
Room with a view
"Lovely room with amazing view perfect for our 25th Amniversary. We will definitely go back."

Reviewed on 11 May 2024

The Royal Lion Hotel
Rock Point Inn
Rock Point Inn
3.5 out of 5
Broad St, Lyme Regis, England
The price is ₹13,217 per night from 16 May to 17 May
₹13,217
per night
16 May - 17 May
Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (80 reviews)
Fabulous location
"Steeped in history and atmosphere, this is an amazing place to stay, the very best location. Great welcome, excellent service, delicious breakfast, what more can you want?"

Reviewed on 11 May 2024

Rock Point Inn
Lyme 1 Hotel
Lyme 1 Hotel
3 out of 5
1 Pound Street, Lyme Regis, England
Enjoy free breakfast and daily housekeeping.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (73 reviews)
Wonderful stay for our young family.
"We had an amazing stay as a family of 4 (6 year old and 3 year old). The hotel was in a great central location but still quiet in the evening. The room was clean and in great condition. The breakfast hamper provided each morning was wonderful and it was helpful having access to the shared kitchen. ..."

Reviewed on 6 Apr 2024

Lyme 1 Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
North Devon Resort
North Devon Resort
3.5 out of 5
Marlborough Rd, Ilfracombe, England
Stay at this 3.5-star beach apartment in Ilfracombe. Enjoy free parking, breakfast and on-site spa services. Popular attractions Ilfracombe Harbour and Woolacombe ...
7.6/10 Good! (65 reviews)
"It was a pleasant experience staying at this holiday park. Nice location, spacious and clean rooms. The swimming pool was fabulous."

Reviewed on 8 Sep 2023

North Devon Resort
Westbeach Holiday Apartments
Westbeach Holiday Apartments
4 out of 5
Nelson Rd, Bideford, England
Enjoy free parking, balconies or patios and rainfall showerheads.
9/10 Wonderful! (95 reviews)
"Good communication and lovely apartments"

Reviewed on 9 May 2024

Westbeach Holiday Apartments
The Osborne Apartments
The Osborne Apartments
3.5 out of 5
5 Hesketh Crescent, Torquay, England
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (79 reviews)
"Lovely beach and beach cafe and heated open air pool all within 100yards."

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

The Osborne Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Lyme Regis

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
28
" "5 - Excellent 60.869565217391305%
4 - Good
16
" "4 - Good 34.78260869565217%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 4.3478260869565215%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
27 Oct 2019

Very crowded

5/5 - Excellent

Pete
18 Sep 2019

First time in Lyme. Loved it, walked the beach to Charmouth, found a fossil!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
27 Aug 2019

Very lovely, but very busy. Ended up going Charmouth beach though as too busy on bank holiday weekend in Lyme Regis

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
15 Aug 2019

We have visited Lyme many times over the past ten years, sometimes on our own and sometimes self catering with our family. We love the fact it is peaceful, not commercialised and a bit like stepping back in time.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
12 Aug 2019

It is a beautiful little bay. Very clean easily walkable to everything. Happy people and made to feel welcome. Will definitely return. 

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
4 Aug 2019

Very pleasant sea side town but very busy (start of the English summer holidays). Plenty of places to eat but limited good quality restaurants.

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