Lyme Regis is a charming resort on the coast of East Devon. It is famous for its unique atmosphere thanks to its unique blue cliffs and an iconic harbour made famous by the Oscar-nominated film “The french lieutenant’s woman.” Visitors will never run out of ideas of what to do in Lyme Regis on a weekend break or a long holiday. Here you can find a range of excellent ideas, for all tastes.
Explore this perfect spot for natural history enthusiasts.
You can use this unique opportunity to go fossil hunting in Lyme Regis. The cliffs are ceaselessly yielding fossilized remains of ancient sea creatures from the Jurassic period.
Follow the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, which is almost a hundred miles of coastal line with varied geology dating back to 185 million years ago. Apart from the area’s immeasurable value for earth scientists and environmental studies, it is also a lovely place to learn from and explore as an amateur. It has a very unique and fragile ecosystem, a home to many rare and protected species.
Discover England’s historical heritage by getting to know the town.
Lyme Regis is one of the most ancient towns in England, mentioned in the Domesday Book, and is, therefore, rich in historical landmarks. We recommend exploring the town and surroundings on foot because they are a ramblers’ paradise! Why not start with a relaxing stroll along the Marine Parade towards the beach within the town itself?
For a longer walk, you have a choice of routes to follow, depending on what your favourite period is. If unsure what to do in Lyme Regis first, choose between the Medieval Lyme for an insight into local history or the Georgian Lyme for a glimpse of admirable local architecture. Nature lovers can opt for the Lym Valley route and admire the abundant local flora and fauna.
Enjoy a perfect beach holiday in Britain.
A beach day is one of the first things that spring to mind when thinking about what to do in Lyme Regis. Spare a day of your trip for one of the beaches in the area, as there are plenty to choose from.
Lyme Regis sandy beach is a cosy sheltered beach on the northern side of the Cobb and the town port. Enjoy basking in the sun and follow the beach along before visiting some of the nicest restaurants in the city.
Monmouth beach is a kilometre-long stretch of fine sand. It is southwest of the Cobb, bordering on beach chalets and home to Lyme Regis Power Boat Club. At the farthest end of Monmouth beach, you will find the Lyme Regis Fossil Beach. This is home to the discovery that made the town famous: the first complete ichthyosaur in England.
Church cliff beach is a lovely promenade protected from the breeze by a giant rock shield. The beach is rocky in most places at low tide, and is a perfect spot to go shrimp hunting.
If walking is not your style and you don’t know what to do in Lyme Regis, go boating instead. Fast boats or leisurely trips and even deep-sea fishing trips are excellent things to do in Lyme Regis in good season.
Follow the cultural heritage trail of Lyme Regis.
Lyme Regis offers plenty to do on a bad-weather day as well. You can follow the Sculpture Trail at The Langmore and Lister Gardens in the heart of Lyme Regis. The gardens were converted into an outdoor art gallery in 2015. They have been home to sculptures of contemporary artists ever since. Lying right above the beach, the site offers stunning views of the Cobb and the coastline.
Unsure what to do in Lyme Regis on a long afternoon? Be sure to visit the Lyme Regis town museum. It was built on the place where the house of the city’s most famous citizen, Mary Anning, used to stand. The museum offers a comprehensive exhibition on local history and tells the story of the discovery of remarkable fossils. Here you can get on one of the fossil walks and go fossil hunting.
The contemporary visual arts in Lyme Regis are focused around the Town Mill Art Gallery. The Town Mill, together with the neighbouring The Malthouse Gallery, provide a wealth of opportunities for cooperation and exchange for young talents, residents and visitors.
It is easy to catch a live music gig here if you don’t know what to do in Lyme Regis on a weekend night either. The Marine Theatre hosts regular events, including classical music, big-name rock groups and tribute bands.
Discover the best seafood in Britain.
Stop for a refreshing break at any of the town’s seafood restaurants. You will find a wide variety of restaurants and pubs cater for visitors of every taste and budget. Fresh seafood and locally-grown seasonal produce are the focus of every restaurant’s menu.
Enjoy the lovely coastal panorama along with the meal at The Oyster and Fish House. Tom’s Lyme Regis seafood is the go-to place for local mussels and scallops served in generous portions. For a more traditional meal, go to the historic 17th century The Bell Cliff restaurant. It is popular with the locals for its good value and quality service.
Grab a quick bite on the go at the Cornish Bakery, the perfect place for hand-made fresh pastries, speciality bread and exquisite pastries. For the best bouillabaisse in town, head for the Harbour Inn.
Shopping for souvenirs here is effortless too if you can’t decide what to do in Lyme Regis on a weekday. Coombe Street Gallery is the place to go for hand-made items and works by local artists. Lyme Regis is the home of the country’s oldest and best fossil shop as well, offering anything from original fossil souvenirs to museum-level collector pieces. Choose something from an ample selection of semi-precious stone jewellery if you are out of ideas, as Baltic amber is a speciality here.
All in all, Lyme Regis offers plenty to do, as a beautiful, cultural and historic town. Remember, to ensure you make the most of your stay in west Dorset, be sure to browse our serviced apartments in Lyme Regis. They offer the utmost comfort and a ‘home away from home’ feel whilst you are away from yours.