Lyme Regis

Travel Guide

Lyme Regis featuring a city and street scenes
Lyme Regis which includes heritage architecture
Photo by Geraldine Soh
Photo by Geraldine Soh
Photo by Geraldine Soh

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'sPersuasion as well as in John Fowles' novelThe 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.

The Royal Lion Hotel

The Royal Lion Hotel

3 out of 5
60 Broad St, Lyme Regis, England
The price is €140 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
€140
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Lyme Regis. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Dinosaur Land and The Town Mill are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (302 reviews)
"Position within Lyme, able to secure a car space in the parking lot, and our room was comfortable, good size, nice view, good facilities, and modern."

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2025

The Royal Lion Hotel
The Dower House Hotel

The Dower House Hotel

3 out of 5
The Dower House Hotel, Rousdon, Lyme Regis, England
The price is €186 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
€186
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Lyme Regis. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (136 reviews)
"A very nice small hotel full of character and in a beautiful setting and convenient to lyme regis. See and countryside views from the room. Lovely gardens. Friendly owners and staff went out of their way to make sure we had eventing we needed... the owners checked in with us at breakfast each morning. ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

The Dower House Hotel
Rock Point Inn

Rock Point Inn

3.5 out of 5
Broad St, Lyme Regis, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €206 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
€206
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star inn in Lyme Regis. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (121 reviews)
Absolutely Fantastic
"Absolutely loved our stay. Rooms clean and so comfortable bed amazing. Food really good great service. Staff amazing especially Andy where nothing was to much . Will definitely be back"

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Rock Point Inn
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.
The Hideaway

The Hideaway

3 out of 5
Red House Rhode Hill Uplyme, Lyme Regis, England
Stay at this 3-star golf cottage in Lyme Regis. Enjoy free WiFi and free parking. Popular attractions Uplyme Church and Lyme Regis Golf Club are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Every day is Leg Day.
"We had a great stay at The Hideaway. It was the quietest place I think I've ever stayed. It had everything we needed for a week away. Lyme Regis is only a couple of miles away if you're into fossils, or beaches. Only a short walk, but it's a bit of climb on the way back."

Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025

The Hideaway
Okanagan

Okanagan

3.5 out of 5
56 Broad Street, Lyme Regis, England
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Lyme Regis. Enjoy free WiFi and free parking. Popular attractions The Town Mill and Dinosaur Land are located nearby.
Okanagan
AMAZING SEA VIEWS

AMAZING SEA VIEWS

Lyme Regis
Stay at this apartment in Lyme Regis. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Lyme Regis Beach and Dinosaur ...
Great spot for views swimming and people watching
"Great stay in this lovely apartment. With beautiful views over the beach and coastline from both balconies! Just ideal for access to everything. Easy to pop in for a swim. Go for a wander. Pick up an ice cream. Great facilities. No parking but that is the same with most properties we looked at. We ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2024

AMAZING SEA VIEWS
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.

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