Published on May 31, 2012 by Sophie McGovern
Windswept scenery, chocolate-box houses and Victorian seaside charm: the stretch of coast around Lyme Regis combines all of the most romantic aspect of traditional England with layers of history and heritage to explore.
With such dramatic scenery and geological significance, it’s no wonder that the Jurassic Coast features so strongly in literature, from Jane Austen’s Persuasion to John Fowles’ The French Lieutenant’s Woman.
My partner and I travelled to Lyme Regis in the hope of finding a relaxing setting away from the city with plenty of scope for exploring the great outdoors, and we weren’t disappointed.
One of the most perfect things about our weekend was the accommodation. The Book Lover’s B+B, Lyme Regis, is a boutique hotel with bags of character. Above an Aladdin’s Cave book and antique shop, the rooms themselves are filled with books. For anyone who is even slightly into reading, this is a magical place to stay, with permission from the owner to explore the shop at any time of night. Books about everything from sea monsters to Pre-Raphaelite art filled the shelves around our bed, providing plenty of bed time reading.
The shabby-chic theme of the B+B complimented the general feel of Lyme Regis, which manages to be fashionable almost by accident with its vintage charm. Visit the antiques and vintage clothes market down by the pier, full of fun dressing up clothes and quirky knick-knacks.
A fossil hunting walk is great for kids and adults- you are bound to discover something! Pieces of rock constantly crumble from the cliffs, containing fossils that are up to 180 million years old. Our guide imparted fascinating information about the geology of the area and took us on a walk through history as we gazed up at the different layers in the cliff face. Historically, the county’s most famous naturalists and palaeontologists have made significant discoveries here, compiling the fossil record from Jurassic times. Guide Brandon Lennon is highly recommended.
Lyme Regis is a town for walking and there is something for every level of difficultly, from a stroll along Marine Parade or the Cobb (harbour) with ice-creams in hand to the half day hike up Golden Cap. If you choose to do this longer walk, start out along the beach and explore the Undercliff, then take the winding coastal path up to the Cap, which does indeed appear to shimmer gold in the sunlight.
In terms of other attractions, there are loads of places to visit that are great for kids. The Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium and the Lyme Regis Museum are both quality attractions. In the museum, learn about fossil collecting and the town’s literary connections as well as some of the most impressive fossils ever found in the area.
If you’re searching for a weekend break in the UK or a romantic getaway destination, Lyme Regis and around has so much to offer; we will definitely be returning next year!
