Lyme Regis, Dorset
Our luxury large group holiday houses at Malherbie Group Stays are only 30 minutes drive from the beaches on the World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast, including Lyme Regis, just over the border in Dorset. This quaint coastal town is a must to visit, so factor in a day out and go and explore.
Stroll along The Cobb, the historic harbour wall, go right out to the end where there’s a Marine Aquarium and where boats leave for mackerel fishing trips and rib rides around the bay. Wander out along the seafront, spend half an hour in the amusement arcade, then go up through the town gardens to play mini golf and admire the sea views. Head back down over the main street browsing in the mostly independent shops along the way, discover the little back streets where you can visit the Town Mill Bakery and the Malthouse Gallery, and take the kids to Dinosaurland Fossil Museum.
At the bottom of town, Lyme Regis Museum is fascinating, with exhibitions of the local maritime and social history, geology, and the famous fossil hunter, Mary Anning, who discovered the first plesiosaur, now housed in London’s Natural History Museum. If you’re feeling inspired, book places on a guided fossil walk – you never know what you might find.
There are four beaches at Lyme Regis; most popular is the Front Beach, which is family friendly with a sandy section and good for paddling or swimming. Monmouth Beach is a mile long pebbly stretch, backed by beach huts and the bowling green; it’s also the access point for walks along the Undercliffs National Nature Reserve, and onto the South West Coast Path. Best for rockpools is Church Cliff Beach near the Marine Theatre, and best for fossils is East Cliff Beach.
The town has several good places to eat if you don’t fancy fish and chips on the beach; nestled on the hillside overlooking The Cobb is The Oyster and Fish House with a menu that changes twice each day and showcases the freshest fish and seafood. The Harbour Inn is good for pub food and has an enclosed area of beach where you can dine when the sun is shining; best for cream tea is The Alexandra Hotel.
All information correct at the time of writing