What is There to See and Do in Lyme Regis?
The pretty coastal town of Lyme Regis is a draw for tourists and artists as well as foodies. Its charm and lovely seafront is not lost on the locals either. If fact many residents started as holidays makers in East Devon or West Dorset.
The town does not have any one big attraction. If you are visiting, think of it as a sort of pick and mix of things to choose from. Fortunately, there are enough of these small things to last a couple of days, especially if you reset your watch to West Country time which runs about a third slower than anywhere else!
So what are the best things to do in Lyme Regis? Good food and drink is a given in Lyme Regis being by the sea. From great fish and chips on the beach to quality restaurants and fabulous coffee shops. This is not the place to make recommendations, but one word of warning, do not underestimate the greedy seagulls. They can be quite terrifying and really spoil a day out by your snatching food. Guard your ice creams and sandwiches well.
Explore Lyme Regis on Foot
First off you need to get your bearings. In a town set on a steep hill, with winding back streets to explore, a traffic free sea front and picturesque gardens this is best done on foot. Although there are car parks on the seafront they are often busy. If you are physically fit, for all day parking head for the large Holmbush or Charmouth Road long stay carparks (use the Just Park app).
Langmoor Gardens
From Holmbush Carpark find the entrance to the gardens for your first view of Lyme Regis from up high of the sea and fabulous Lyme Bay. (The first entrance has steep steps but a bit further down the hill is a no step entrance). Langmoor Gardens is particularly lovely and many postcard photos are taken form the view here. From the gardens you can clearly see the iconic Cobb – a vast stone harbour wall that has featured in number of films and many TV shows. In the evenings coloured lights illuminate the trees giving it a really nice atmosphere.
Recent filming in Lyme Regis has included Wonka (a Charlie and the Chocolate prequel) and Ammonite.
The Cobb and Seafront
The fabulous Cobb wall makes this little bay on the Jurassic Coast one of the most photographed parts of the region. Take a walk along the cobbled stone track to the end of the harbour past moored fishing boats and the little Aquarium. Behind the harbour buildings is another small beach. If you are feeling brave enough, try walking on top of the Cobb Wall, not for the faint hearted. Whatever you do please don’t try this in stormy weather. Pop into the RNLI shop some souvenirs to support this amazing service.
Enjoy walking along the pretty seafront and stop for chips, an ice cream or something to eat at one of the many cafes and restaurants. Pose in front of the colourful beach huts and enjoy the view.
On the higher level why not loose a few coins it the amusement arcade – we love the 2p drop machines and the air hockey. The best toilets are along here as well (always good to know) and there are often market stalls or entertainers in the “the shelters”.
After the seafront head towards the older side of town with it’s shops and historic buildings.
Fudge, Fossils and Pasties!
There is a small high street with a mix of shops, although fudge, pasties and fossils feature highly here! Parts of the town at the bottom of a Broad Street by the Bell Cliff Hotel were transformed for the film Ammonite, returning it to a look of early 19th century.
Looking across the bay off to the left you can see Charmouth. There is a long sea defence walk which is good flat walking, ideal for pushchairs and less crowded than the main seafront.
Historic Buildings
Lyme Regis Town Mill
Near the traffic lights at the bottom of Broad Street take the little lane called Coombe Street and explore the pretty back streets. With more shops, fish and chips as well as the Town Mill area that has a micro brewery, art galleries and restaurants.
Try to make time to visit the Town Mill. This working flour mill has been saved and restored by locals. You can join a guided tour and see the a traditional waterwheel in operation or just visit the shop for some wonderful milled flour and other souviners.
Church and Guildhall
From Town Mill you can visit the historic Norman built St Michael’s Church. Here you can see the Lyme Tapestry dating from 1490 as well as the grave of Mary Anning. Head back down towards the seafront and admire the old Elizabethan era Guildhall, which happens to be where I was married!
Lyme Regis Museums
The town has a quirky selection of small museums.
Lyme Regis Museum
This was built on the site of Marry Anning’s home on Bridge Street. The museum was refurbished and extended in 2017 with a new geology and learning centre. This adds to the fine displays of fossils, maritime and domestic objects with Lyme’s history illustrated by paintings, prints and photographs. The museum also organises fossil walks and history walks.
Admission Prices (2026) Adults £9.95, Children 6+ £6.95
Dinosaurland Fossil Museum
This privately owned museum is an absolute treasure trove for natural history buffs. Enjoy the huge display of fossils, natural history, taxidermy and a geological time line that runs up the stairs for scale.
Admission 2026 £7.50 for adults, £5.50 for children aged 5+.
The Aquarium
Set at the at the far end of the harbour wall, this aquarium is small but a very hands introduction into what is lurking beneath Lyme Bay. The up close nature of this aquarium makes it a memorable experience and is full of local sea creatures and historical exhibits.
Admission 2026 £10.00 for adults, £8.00 for children aged 3+.
Fossil Hunting and Rock Pooling
Check the tide times for low tide and for the best rock pooling head to the eastern side of the town. Follow the esplanade walk all the way round to see the large exposed rock pool area. If you are not sure what to look for download a guide or better still join a guided walk.
For fossil hunting again low tide is essential in the same area of East Cliff towards Black Ven, a large mudslide full of ammonites and belemnites which is slowly eroding into the sea. I would strongly recommend a guide for this to help you know what to look for and their expert knowledge. Stay away from the cliff edge and quick sand like black mud.
For guaranteed fossil finds but ones you won’t be able to take home head in the opposite direction to Monmouth Beach behind the Cobb.
Walk right out along this quiet pebble beach, past the beach huts and you will find large ammonites imprinted into the stones. This is also a popular dog walking beach.
Lyme Regis Beach and Watersports
For many people the main reason to visit Lyme Regis is to enjoy the beach. There is a small sandy beach and the main area is pebbles. It’s a lovely beach which goes out gently and low tide.
Near the seafront you can hire stand up paddle boards as well as kayaks.
Many people also enjoy fishing off the harbour wall or go mackerel fishing by joining one of the many boats that leave from the harbour. Finally for some extra fun try a high speed RIB ride around the bay.
Play Golf in Lyme Regis
Whatever your style there’s a choice. Just out of the town is a proper 18 hole golf course as well as a driving range. If you are looking for more family style fun then you can enjoy the fun mini golf pitch and putt in Langmore Gardens (Adults £4.50, under 14’s £2.50).
Playparks in Lyme Regis
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the main town, there is a lovely playpark and field on Anning Road (not far from the Charmouth Road Car Park) with a great pirate ship. Some short term parking on the street here.
The other option is a good playpark in Uplyme by the village hall and opposite the petrol station. Parking available in the village hall car park.
What’s On in Lyme Regis
Why not plan your trip to coincide with one of the great annual events held in the town. Check out my summer events post for up to date details and links.
Regular events include:
May Fete, RNLI Lifeboat Week (July), Carnival and Regatta Week (August), Fossil Festival, Jurassic Jazz Music Festival, Lyme Folk Festival and Food Festivals and fireworks.
On selected dates (usually as part of Heritage Open Days in September), the historic Belmont House is open to the public. This beautiful house was once the residence of the author John Fowles.
The Marine Theatre
The delightful theatre is host to an array of fabulous music, touring comedians and speakers as well as local events such as musicals and plays. Upstairs there is a little bar for pre-show drinks. Check out what’s on when you plan to visit.
Fireworks in Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis is a fabulous place to see Lyme Regis as they light up the sky over the Cobb.
There are usually 2 displays in the year. Guy Fawkes in November – usually held on the nearest weekend date – check my annual Fireworks post for updates.
In the summer the Life Boat Week and Carnival share an event which starts at 10pm midweek at the beginning of August. For 2022 it’s Thursday 4th August.
Longer Walks from Lyme Regis
Last but not least Lyme Regis makes a great base for walking. For an hour or so escaping the hustle and bustle of the seafront take a look at these Short Walks from Lyme Regis ideas. For a longer walk Cannington Viaduct is a lovely area to explore and it’s also the start for the East Devon Way and the popular Undercliff section of the South West Coast Path.
The Best Things to see and do in Lyme Regis
To help you there is an interactive town Discovery Trail with a helpful map and videos to watch.
It’s a pretty big list for a small town so I hope that you have more than one day to pick and mix your way around Lyme Regis. Have fun.
Photo credits – pictures are either my own or taken by my photographer and videographer friend Max Redwood.
Hi! I am Clare and I live in glorious East Devon with my family.
Join me in finding new places to explore in the West Country as well as further afield.
I hope you enjoy reading and taking inspiration from this website. 
Oh I look forward to doing all of this! Especially as my friend has just bought a flat in Lyme Regis and has invited me down for ‘whenever I want’! He might regret saying this as I’ll want to go every weekend now! Thanks for all the ideas and for joining us over at #KCACOLS
What a beautiful part of the world. Lovely ideas of things to do x #kcacols
Such a helpful guide, I lived in East Devon for a while and always enjoyed visiting Lyme, I would love to take my boys down to the fossil museum sometime #Kcacols
I’ve never heard of this place but what a cute little town – like something out of a movie. I love the sea walk. We havea cliff walk like that about an hour from here. It’s fab! #KCACOLS
So lovely. Thanks for sharing such great information. #KCACOLS
I’ve never been but it sounds right up our street. So much to do!!