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A mini guide to
Lyme Regis & Charmouth: tips and FAQs
Local know-how and common questions
Local know-how
Tips for visiting
Look on the beach, not in the cliffs
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre and Visit Dorset both say the best fossils are loose on the beach and that you should not climb or dig in the cliffs. Check current advice before fossil hunting or walking below cliffs.
The cliffs move all the time
The Heritage Coast Centre says the cliffs around Charmouth are very unstable, with mudflows and landslides all the time. Do not go near the cliff face, climb on landslides or mudflows, or hammer or dig into them.
Start at a fossil centre
The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre and Lyme Regis Museum both run fossil walks according to Visit Dorset. Visit Dorset says a guided walk is one of the safest ways to look.
Mud can trap you
Visit Dorset warns that soft mud and sand can trap people. If you get stuck, stay calm, spread your weight, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
Follow the fossil code
The Heritage Coast Centre asks collectors to follow the Fossil Collecting Code and to record scientifically important finds with the centre.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is Lyme Regis & Charmouth?
Lyme Regis & Charmouth is in Dorset, England. Fossils, Mary Anning and the curve of the Cobb. Nearby stops and stations include Axminster, Lyme Regis, Charmouth.
How long do I need in Lyme Regis & Charmouth?
One to two days. Allow longer if you plan to eat out or visit several attractions.
What are the highlights?
Highlights include Lyme Regis Museum, The Cobb, Dinosaurland Fossil Museum. See the Things to do page for more.
How do I get there?
Nearby: Axminster (South Western Railway); Lyme Regis (First Bus X51 and X53); Charmouth (First Bus X53); Park and ride (First Bus). The Getting there page links to the official timetables and journey planners.
Where can I eat and drink?
We list 11 places to eat and drink in and around Lyme Regis & Charmouth, with filters to help you choose.
Where should I stay?
We list 5 hotels and other places to stay nearby. Check availability and prices with each property.
Is Lyme Regis & Charmouth accessible?
Accessibility varies by street, building and venue. Check each attraction or operator’s access information before you travel.
While you are here
Things to see in Lyme Regis & Charmouth
A few of the sights in the area. The Things to do page lists them all, with directions and official links.
Charmouth Beach
Pebble and sand beach below crumbling clay cliffs, well known for loose fossils washed out of the cliffs.
Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium
Small aquarium of local marine life in a building on the Cobb.
Town Mill
Restored watermill on the River Lym with a bakery and a small group of craft workshops.
The Jurassic Coast
More areas to explore
Seaton, Beer & Sidmouth
Chalk cliffs, a fishing cove, a seaside tramway and a Regency-era resort
Open the mini guide →
Swanage, Studland & Purbeck
A Victorian seaside town, a ruined castle and the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast
Open the mini guide →
Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door & Wareham
A famous rock arch, an almost circular cove and a Saxon walled town
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Stonebarrow Hill: Gary Rogers, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Charmouth Beach: Tanya Hart, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium: Paul the Archivist, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Town Mill: Paul the Archivist, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Seaton, Beer & Sidmouth: michael cooper, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Swanage, Studland & Purbeck: Bob Harvey, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door & Wareham: Brian Deegan, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Weymouth & Portland: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 4.0, source
- Bridport & West Bay: Martinvl, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring the Jurassic Coast