Lyme Regis Local Area

Lyme Regis is a traditional seaside town full of atmosphere on the county border with Devon. The narrow maze of streets and shops wind their way down to the ancient Cobb harbour with its spectacular sea views. This is the heart of the Jurassic Coast and the beaches between Lyme Regis and neighbouring Charmouth are world famous for fossil hunting.

The old town, dating back to the 14th century, is an ideal place to walk and explore the local shops, art galleries, newly replanted gardens with myriad places to stop to eat and drink.

Built around the River Lym, Lyme has its own working Water Mill, recently refurbished to include an electricity generator.

Marine Parade is a great place to walk, sit, enjoy the views and visit its small shops and eating places. The town and surrounding area have many attractions and host a range of events, including a Jazz Festival, a Fossil Festival, Life Boat Week and a Regatta & Carnival Week (early August).

The harbour, known as the Cobb, is one of the town's most significant landmarks. Built in the thirteenth-century the Cobb was the landing place of the Duke of Monmouth during the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685.

The Jurassic Coast

The cliffs around Lyme Regis house fossils dating back to the Jurassic period. Local scientist and fossil hunter Mary Anning found the world's first ichthyosaur here in the 19th century.

The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, stretches 95 miles (155km) from Swanage in the East to Exmouth in the West. It tells the story of 185 million years of the Earth's history. The site's unique value creates a walk through time that includes the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The varied geology also provides a spectacular laboratory of coastal change, and supports rare and important plants and animals.

Lyme Regis is 22 NM east of Portland Bill.