From fossil hunting and fresh seafood, to beautiful walks and local hotspots, these are the best things to do in Lyme Regis, Dorset.
I’ve just returned from a fun-packed family break in Lyme Regis in Dorset. While we’ve grown familiar with Dorset on our travels, it was our first visit to Lyme Regis.
This pretty seaside town oozes charm, with its iconic harbour, golden beach, steep high street dotted with independent shops and vibrant food scene. It’s got that classic English beach town feel, but rather than solely centring around a beach, there’s absolutely loads to do in and around the area.
I visited with my husband, mum and two little ones (a toddler and a baby). We stayed at Cobb Cottage, an adorable four-bedroom holiday cottage available via Classic Cottages. It was the perfect base for our multi-generational trip, offering gorgeous sea views, snug spots for reading and large areas for playing. It was in an ideal location for days on the beach, ice cream runs and day trips to nearby towns.
If you’re planning a trip to Dorset soon, my guide to the best things to do in Lyme Regis will definitely come in handy.
Best Things To Do In Lyme Regis
Visit Lyme Regis’ beaches
We spent a few hours each day enjoying the beach areas in Lyme Regis. There’s a lovely sandy beach stretching from near The Cobb (the curved harbour wall) all the way to the main town. Even though we visited at the end of April, we had some great weather during our trip, with lots of blue skies and sunshine. Our toddler loved digging and building sandcastles, while we enjoyed the panoramic views of the huge Jurassic Coast cliffs looking towards Charmouth.
Walk the iconic Cobb
The Cobb is a famous sight in Lyme Regis. A curved harbour wall has been here since medieval times and is famous from films and books. You can walk on the lower level, where you’ll see the boats in the harbour. Or, head up along the high wall and take in the epic views back towards to the town. You’ll also find the marine aquarium in this area, where you can take a closer look at the marine life of the Jurassic Coast.
Enjoy the shopping scene in Lyme Regis
There’s an eclectic mix of shops in Lyme Regis. You’ll find the majority of them lining Broad Street, which must be in the running for the steepest high street in England! I loved mooching up and down the hill, popping into fossil shops, bakeries, boutiques, art galleries and artisan food stores.
One of my favourites was Ammonite Fine Foods, which was a treasure trove of local gins, Dorset cider, tasty chutneys and biscuits. It’s a great place to buy a few treats to take home.
Play Mini Golf
My husband and I have a long-running competition playing crazy golf, so we were delighted to find a mini golf course in the gardens overlooking Lyme Regis. It’s run by the council (read – cheap prices!) and is a decent 18-hole course overlooking the beach. It’s not crazy golf, so don’t expect windmills or water features, but it’s fun for a bit of light competition.
Spoiler… he beat me! My putting was phenomenal, but one hole lost me five shots. Better luck next time!
Go for ice cream
Did you even visit Lyme Regis if you didn’t have an ice cream on the seafront? Well, we squeezed in daily scoops during our stay!
While we enjoyed the sweeter flavours at Millys right by the main town, the overall winner was Baboo Gelato, which has a stand nearer The Cobb, and is also stocked by several stores and cafes. It’s made locally and is exceptional. The passion fruit sorbet was my favourite, and one of the best sorbets I’ve ever eaten! Just after leaving Lyme Regis, I started Googling how to get some delivered to our house back home!
Wander Langmoor and Lister Gardens
These pretty terraced gardens overlook Lyme Regis beach and are a lovely place for a walk (so long as you can cope with the steep gradient). I’d recommend grabbing an ice cream first and enjoying it with one of the best panoramic views of the ocean.
Go fossil hunting
Lyme Regis is synonymous with fossils! It’s one of the best places in the country to search for ancient rocks with special ammonites or remains inside. The best spots are usually around Monmouth Beach and East Cliff Beach.
We learned to look for rocks with lines on, often more of an oval shape. Then to tap them with another rock and see if they’d open to reveal any goodies! Sadly, we didn’t find any ammonites on this trip, but we did find some beautiful gemstones.
Visit Lyme Regis Museum
If you’re visiting the Jurassic Coast to enjoy some fossil hunting, you should definitely add in a visit to Lyme Regis Museum. Built on the site of fossil hunter Mary Anning’s home, this small museum is packed full of fascinating artefacts, fossils and vintage photos of the area. There are activities for kids to enjoy, plus the upstairs has one of the prettiest panoramas in the town, as you can see from that ammonite photo above.
Visit the Town Mill area
We loved how many different areas there were in such a small town. Head along Coombe Street and you’ll eventually come to an ancient watermill that’s been carefully restored. When the Mill is open, you can head inside for free, where you’ll also see the working waterwheel
The Town Mill has become Lyme Regis’ artisan quarter, with shops, restaurants, galleries and creatives setting up there. We watched a potter at work, perused lots of artworks by locals and spotted a brewery and restaurant (more on those coming up!)
Enjoy a posh dinner in Lyme Regis
Are you a foodie? We are! In fact, we’re the sort of couple who travel the world looking for the best things to eat. We did lots of research before our trip, and decided we couldn’t miss an opportunity to visit Eat at Millside. This smart restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Lyme Regis, and has a menu focused on fish and seafood.
With my mum offering to babysit, we glammed up and took advantage of a rare date night. We enjoyed a enjoyed a tasty plate of taramasalata, before a colourful tomato and feta salad. The main event was a delicate plaice with a delicious butter and herb sauce, topped with new potatoes and shaved asparagus. It was a really special meal, and great value as it coincided with their Wednesday night deal.
Sample local beers at Lyme Regis Brewery
If you’re into craft beers, you can’t miss a trip to this brewery, which is also housed within the pretty Town Mill area. The tap room is a lively spot, with tables inside and out. Select a locally-brewed craft beer, or grab a little tasting flight for an overview of the range.
Visit the amusement arcade
Every good British seaside resort has an arcade, and Lyme Regis is no exception. This was the first time we’d taken our son to see the slot machines. What fun for him, posting 2ps into the machines and seeing where they ended up! It’s not the biggest amusement arcade, but it has everything, from a basketball game, to racing cars, fruit machines and grabber games.
Warm up At Shoreline Sauna
One day we were sat on the beach and were surprised to spot people running in and out of the sauna, heading to and from the cold ocean. Hot/cold therapy is very popular these days, especially for those with an interest in wellness. If you’re curious, Shoreline Sauna is such a lovely spot to try it out… and obviously you don’t HAVE to go in the sea!
Go for fish and chips on the beach
Lyme Regis is a classic bucket and spade beach destination, so it’s a given that you have to have fish and chips while you’re there. There are several places to buy from, but I’d recommend Herbies which is near The Cobb end of town. Just check opening hours to avoid disappointment. We tried to visit a few times, only to discover it had closed for the day!
Visit The Fox and Owl Cinema
One of the quirkiest things to do in Lyme Regis? Watch a film at the Fox and Owl Cinema. Upstairs is a quaint bar, where you can lounge on squishy sofas, while drinking craft beers or cocktails and munching on homemade pizza.
Meanwhile, descend to the basement and you’ll find a secret underground cinema! There are several films shown each week (often an eclectic assortment!) or you can hire the whole place for your own movie screening.
Best things to do near Lyme Regis
If you’re also keen to explore beyond Lyme Regis, there’s plenty to see and do in the area. Here are a few highlights from our trip. You’ll also find more recommendations in my Dorset travel guide.
Go hiking along the coast
We enjoyed one of the most beautiful coastal walks we’ve been on in England, setting off from Stonebarrow Hill and exploring the South West Coast Path close to Golden Cap. The 2.5 hour walk offered amazing panoramic views along the Jurassic Coast’s epic cliffs, fields and farmland. We finished the walk by the Crazy Cow, where we rewarded ourselves with another delicious tub of Baboo Gelato!
Visit Charmouth
We spent an afternoon on the beach in Charmouth, which is known as one of the best places for fossil hunting in the region. Our toddler was in rock hunting heaven, as were we!
We also enjoyed a look around the heritage centre, as well as perusing the fossil shop, where you can pick up sparkling gemstones and see some ancient remains.
Visit the epic cliffs at West Bay
Although we’d visited West Bay before, we were still in awe of the huge sandstone cliffs. Towering around 50 metres in the air, the cliffs are a famous spot to visit, and a beautiful backdrop to a beach day. We spent an hour playing on the sand with the kids. It’s a stunning spot, and one that anyone with an eye for photography will love.
Stop for brunch at Soulshine
If you’re heading to West Bay, I’d recommend a pitstop at Soulshine in Bridport. This cool cafe / restaurant has a welcoming feel and serves some of the best food in the area. There’s a focus on local, seasonal ingredients. It’s one of those lovely all-day spots you can pop by for a coffee and a slice of cake, dive into a delicious brunch, or enjoy a leisurely lunch of small plates after a day at the beach. They also run occasional supper clubs – something I’d love to return for in the future!
Enjoy a beachside lunch at Hive Beach Café
If you’re keen on seafood, and want to sample some of the freshest on the Dorset coast, I’d recommend booking a table at Hive Beach Café. This café is in one of the prettiest spots on the coast, and in the warmer months you can grab a table right on the sand. While the restaurant has a casual vibe, the ingredients and dishes are on another level.
The menu focuses on whatever is freshly caught, which usually includes hake, crab, scallops and king prawns. We loved the specials on the day we visited, which included John Dory with samphire, burrata and burnt leeks. The children’s portions are incredibly generous too, so it’s a great spot for a family meal.
Where To Stay In Lyme Regis
We stayed at Cobb Cottage, a tastefully-converted fisherman’s cottage overlooking The Cobb in Lyme Regis. It boasts incredible sea views, a large terraced garden, modern kitchen four double bedrooms (one with a twin – ideal for children), and several areas to lounge and relax downstairs.
We were really impressed by how well equipped the house was. It had enough crockery and cutlery for a huge family (including plastic items for little ones), a cupboard filled with board games, a selection of kids’ books, plenty of beach items and even a log burner for colder nights.
It was such a comfortable and convenient place to stay, three minutes from the beach, but private enough to have your own family get-together. We loved it!
If you’re looking for accommodation in this part of the country, take a look at these holiday cottages in Dorset.
I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing more about all the best things to do in Lyme Regis, and beyond. Have a wonderful seaside trip.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, don’t miss my other Dorset travel guides: