Lyme Regis

Travel 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 kilometers) north of the city center, 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.

Rock Point Inn
Rock Point Inn
3.5 out of 5
Broad St, Lyme Regis, England
The price is HK$1,042 per night from 8 May to 9 May
HK$1,042
per night
8 May - 9 May
Stay at this 3.5-star inn in Lyme Regis. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (77 reviews)
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Reviewed on 27 Apr 2024

Rock Point Inn
The Royal Lion Hotel
The Royal Lion Hotel
3 out of 5
60 Broad St, Lyme Regis, England
The price is HK$1,116 per night from 6 May to 7 May
HK$1,116
per night
6 May - 7 May
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Lyme Regis. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Lyme Regis Beach and Dinosaur Land ...
8/10 Very Good! (8 reviews)
"The property sit right in the middle of the village so perfect for sightseeing"

Reviewed on 28 Apr 2024

The Royal Lion Hotel
Cobb Arms
Cobb Arms
3 out of 5
Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, England
The price is HK$1,262 per night from 5 May to 6 May
HK$1,262
per night
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this 3-star beach inn in Lyme Regis. Enjoy free breakfast, WiFi, and a bar/lounge. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (309 reviews)
Lovely stay with really friendly staff.
"We booked this hotel using clubcard vouchers, it was handy to find a place to stay in the centre of Lyme Regis which allowed dogs to stay. The location was brilliant and we loved being able to park the car up the road and leave it there so we could enjoy the beautiful town. The absolutely best thing ..."

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2024

Cobb Arms
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.
6 bedroom accommodation in Uplyme, near Lyme Regis
6 bedroom accommodation in Uplyme, near Lyme Regis
Uplyme, near Lyme Regis
Stay at this cottage in Lyme Regis. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Lyme Regis Beach and Uplyme Church are located nearby. Discover ...
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
Weekend break
"We had a lovely time in this characterful and homely house. The only thing to be prepared for is the noise from the road which is intrusive at night. Maybe better in the winter when windows are closed"

Reviewed on 15 Sep 2023

6 bedroom accommodation in Uplyme, near Lyme Regis
Homestead, Lyme Regis is a cosy riverside cabin, 10 mins walk from the beach
Homestead, Lyme Regis is a cosy riverside cabin, 10 mins walk from the beach
Lyme Regis
Stay at this cottage in Lyme Regis. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Lyme Regis Beach and Dinosaurland Fossil Museum are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (47 reviews)
Cosy cottage in a lovely location
"Homestead was clean tidy and comfortable, and was well equipped with everything you need for a self catering holiday. Definitely recommend. A very short walk into Lyme Regis with all its independent shops, cafes etc. The Town Mill and Lyme Regis Museum are well worth visiting. One thing to note, ..."

Reviewed on 23 Oct 2023

Homestead, Lyme Regis is a cosy riverside cabin, 10 mins walk from the beach
A couple's paradise in the heart of Lyme Regis moments from the beach
A couple's paradise in the heart of Lyme Regis moments from the beach
Lyme Regis
Stay at this apartment in Lyme Regis. Enjoy free WiFi, a Smart TV, and cable/satellite TV. Popular attractions Lyme Regis Beach and The Town Mill are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
Lovely weekend stay
"Central location perfect for 2 of us"

Reviewed on 24 Apr 2024

A couple's paradise in the heart of Lyme Regis moments from the beach
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.