Lyme Regis
Welcome to Lyme RegisLyme Regis boasts breathtaking scenery and a special mystique, making it a sparkling resort for all seasons. Its historic Cobb and harbour are iconic features, set against moody blue cliffs yielding fossilised evidence of life on earth millions of years ago.
An ancient town featured in the Domesday Book, Lyme Regis is home to a number of historical landmarks and educational attractions. From the watermill, which dates all the way back to the 14th century, to the beautiful St Michael’s Church and the fascinating Lepers Well, the picturesque and tranquil Lyme Regis is a great place to discover a lot that you didn’t know about the UK’s heritage.The Jurassic CoastSituated at the heart of the Jurassic Coast, Lyme Regis is a major centre for fossil collecting, recognised and acclaimed worldwide.
An official World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast is a must-visit for anyone interested in geology, history or stunning coastal scenery, and some of the 95-mile long stretch’s most scenic spots can be found around the Lyme Regis area. Places worth exploring include the Blue Lias cliffs – which are abundant with rare ammonites and other fossils – and the inspirational Pinhay Bay.
Every year, Lyme Regis plays host to its famous fossil festival, which sees thousands of enthusiasts of all ages flock to the town annually to learn more about some fascinating periods of UK history.
Lyme Regis Literary LinksFamously depicted in the film version of John Fowles' The French Lieutenant's Woman and Jane Austen's Persuasion, the resort's unique appeal wins her a deserved accolade as the Pearl of the Dorset coast - a gem in the Westcountry's holiday playground.
Whilst the town as a whole is the scene of one of Persuasion’s most important passages, it is, however, the town’s instantly recognisable harbour wall – known as The Cobb – which can claim to be Lyme Regis’s most significant literary location. In Fowles’ classic novel, it is the place where the story’s heroine, Sarah Woodruff, spends all of her spare time, looking out over the wall to the wild sea beyond. The Cobb was not forgotten in the BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning film adaptation, either, even featuring with star Meryl Streep on the movie’s promotional poster.
A Popular Dorset Holiday DestinationLyme Regis draws people from all over the globe, many of whom return year after year to relive memorable holidays and enjoy a varied programme of novel events and activities, including art and music festivals. The variety and extent of the available entertainment is boosted by the fact that Lyme Regis is believed to be the smallest town in the country to have its own thriving cinema and theatre. Whatever the weather, Lyme is always the place to be.
Whatever time of year you come to Lyme Regis, you are sure to find many exciting activities and attractions to keep you and your family entertained. With fantastic annual events like the Lyme Regis Carnival and Regatta, the Lifeboat Week and the Christmas Tree Festival, this charming, peaceful and surprisingly vibrant Dorset setting is the ideal place to take a well-earned break.
Axmouth to Lyme Regis: The UndercliffThe UndercliffThe Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs National Nature Reserve is one of the most important wilderness areas in Britain. The entire reserve is formed from landslides, and is particularly famous for the occurrence of an enormous landslide at Bindon on Christmas Eve 1839. These landslides still occur today, creating an internationally important mix of habitats from dense scrub and woodland to open ground, with many special plants and animals. English Nature manage the reserve and visitors are required to keep to the South West Coast Path than runs through it. The journey on foot between Lyme Regis and Axmouth is an awe-inspiring and strenuous walk.
The Bindon Landslide 1839The Bindon Landslide became famous and attracted national publicity and thousands of visitors. People visited by paddle steamer and a piece of music, the Landslide Quadrille, was written for it. Many beautiful prints and engravings were made. Today they provide an invaluable record that catalogues how the environment has changed over time. In particular how woodland has colonised the area.
There are many historical landslides dating from at least the seventeenth century. The 1839 event was described by two eminent scientists of they day: William Conybeare, then the vicar of Axminster and William Buckland, professor of Geology at Oxford. Their work is possible the earliest scientific description of a landslide and their explanation is still useful to current research.
The 1839 landslide is of a type known as a blockslide. A huge piece of land, known locally as Goat Island, moved towards the sea, leaving a deep chasm. The front edge of the landslide was uplifted out of the sea forming a small natural harbour. Although it proved to be a short-lived feature, questions were asked in Parliament about whether it could become a port for the Navy.
AXMINSTER
Town: Axminster is a small market town on the eastern border ofDevon, England. The town is built on a hill overlooking the River Axe which heads towards the English Channel at Axmouth and is in the East Devon local government district. The market is still held every Thursday.
Main Industry: Axminster Carpets, Axminster Power Tools, ITT Industries.
Population: 5626 (2001 census more like 6000+ in 2008)
Economy: Essentially agricultural but increasingly manufacturing and retail. Axminster has now been designated as a town for growth.
History: Axminster’s origins date back to Celtic times and it is thought to have been first settled around 300 BC. the Fosse Way from Lincoln to Seaton, and the Dorchester-Exeter road. There was a Roman fort on the crossroads at Woodbury Farm, just south of the present town.
Axminster was recorded in the late 9th century as Ascanmynster and in the Doomsday Book of 1086 as Aixeministra. The name means"monastery or large church by the River Axe" and is a mixture of languages; the river name Axe has Celtic origins and mynster is an Old English word.
Town Tour of Historic Sites:
The Saxon church of St Mary stands on Minster Green in the centre of town. It has an interesting Norman door and a Jacobean pulpit.
Most famous for its carpets, the original Axminster factory was opened in 1755 by Thomas Whitty, though the business failed within 80 years and Carpet making was not restarted until 1937.
The streets in Axminster all converge on the main central town Square. At this central point is the Axminster Green where the Minster church of St Mary upon its Saxon foundations stands. The church’s fixtures of interest are a pulpit and reading desk dating from 1633. For those interested in local history, a visit to the Axminster museum is well worthwhile. For some places to visit, check out our page on what's to be seen in and around Axminster. The exhibits and collections range from traditional agricultural tools, archaeology, old photographs and carpet making. The museum is housed in the Old Courthouse, complete with 2 old Police Cells.
Some Suggestions for local walks.
3.00 miles away Colyton - River Coly - Parehayne Hill
From the beautiful little Devon town of Colyton, walk beside the small but very pretty River Coly, crossing fields for about 3.5km before taking a narrow lane up to Rockerhayne. From there tracks and bridleways take you up to Parehayne Wood and Hill. Enjoy stunning panoramic views across Devon and Dorset as you make your way back along more tracks towards Colyton. Take in the sea view in the distance and the little town itself nestling amongst the hills. 7.45 miles
4.00 miles away Seaton - Beer - Pratt's Hill - Holyford - Seaton
From Seaton follow the coast path to Beer, then climb for some way to the top of Pratt's Hill, which commands fine views, before returning to Seaton. 7.15 miles
4.00 miles away Fishpond Bottom - Wootton Fitzpaine and River Char
Here are stunning panoramic views over the Dorset and Devon hills. From the old earthworks of Coney's Castle, walk along tracks and across fields into Wootton Fitzpaine. Then for 1.5km follow a lovely bubbling stream through meadowlands, before following the course of the small River Char for about 3km. Use is made of both The Liberty Trail and The Monarch's Way. From the map it looks as if you walk close to the A35, but in fact you are in fields and the distance is less than 145m before turning to Catherston Leweston, then only another 450m before leaving it altogether. 9.01 miles
5.00 miles away Stonebarrow Hill, Charmouth - Coastal Path - St Gabriel's(Walk ID: 4301)
Start by walking across the heathland to the coastal path. Follow for about 2km with the famous Golden Cap in view ahead before turning inland to the medieval remains of Stanton St Gabriel's. The old manor-house still remains. Explore the rest of the grounds before making your way to the 17th Century St Wite's Well. Then fantastic views over Dorset lead you back to the car park. This walk was intended to go into Charmouth but coastal erosion between there and St Gabriel's makes this impossible. Enjoy Charmouth afterwards. 4.35 miles
5.00 miles away Membury: The River Yarty and Castle Mound (Walk ID: 4705)
Starting from the lovely little village of Membury, pass the village church before crossing fields to reach the River Yarty. Follow this pretty, bubbling river for about 3km before small country lanes and fields lead up to the site of Membury Castle and Fort. Enjoy beautiful Devon scenery. 6.21 miles
6.00 miles away Langdon Hill - Golden Cap - Langdon Hill
This is an easy walk up to the summit of Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast. The height is gained gradually and there are always great views to give excuse for a rest. 1.55 miles
An ancient town featured in the Domesday Book, Lyme Regis is home to a number of historical landmarks and educational attractions. From the watermill, which dates all the way back to the 14th century, to the beautiful St Michael’s Church and the fascinating Lepers Well, the picturesque and tranquil Lyme Regis is a great place to discover a lot that you didn’t know about the UK’s heritage.The Jurassic CoastSituated at the heart of the Jurassic Coast, Lyme Regis is a major centre for fossil collecting, recognised and acclaimed worldwide.
An official World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast is a must-visit for anyone interested in geology, history or stunning coastal scenery, and some of the 95-mile long stretch’s most scenic spots can be found around the Lyme Regis area. Places worth exploring include the Blue Lias cliffs – which are abundant with rare ammonites and other fossils – and the inspirational Pinhay Bay.
Every year, Lyme Regis plays host to its famous fossil festival, which sees thousands of enthusiasts of all ages flock to the town annually to learn more about some fascinating periods of UK history.
Lyme Regis Literary LinksFamously depicted in the film version of John Fowles' The French Lieutenant's Woman and Jane Austen's Persuasion, the resort's unique appeal wins her a deserved accolade as the Pearl of the Dorset coast - a gem in the Westcountry's holiday playground.
Whilst the town as a whole is the scene of one of Persuasion’s most important passages, it is, however, the town’s instantly recognisable harbour wall – known as The Cobb – which can claim to be Lyme Regis’s most significant literary location. In Fowles’ classic novel, it is the place where the story’s heroine, Sarah Woodruff, spends all of her spare time, looking out over the wall to the wild sea beyond. The Cobb was not forgotten in the BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning film adaptation, either, even featuring with star Meryl Streep on the movie’s promotional poster.
A Popular Dorset Holiday DestinationLyme Regis draws people from all over the globe, many of whom return year after year to relive memorable holidays and enjoy a varied programme of novel events and activities, including art and music festivals. The variety and extent of the available entertainment is boosted by the fact that Lyme Regis is believed to be the smallest town in the country to have its own thriving cinema and theatre. Whatever the weather, Lyme is always the place to be.
Whatever time of year you come to Lyme Regis, you are sure to find many exciting activities and attractions to keep you and your family entertained. With fantastic annual events like the Lyme Regis Carnival and Regatta, the Lifeboat Week and the Christmas Tree Festival, this charming, peaceful and surprisingly vibrant Dorset setting is the ideal place to take a well-earned break.
Axmouth to Lyme Regis: The UndercliffThe UndercliffThe Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs National Nature Reserve is one of the most important wilderness areas in Britain. The entire reserve is formed from landslides, and is particularly famous for the occurrence of an enormous landslide at Bindon on Christmas Eve 1839. These landslides still occur today, creating an internationally important mix of habitats from dense scrub and woodland to open ground, with many special plants and animals. English Nature manage the reserve and visitors are required to keep to the South West Coast Path than runs through it. The journey on foot between Lyme Regis and Axmouth is an awe-inspiring and strenuous walk.
The Bindon Landslide 1839The Bindon Landslide became famous and attracted national publicity and thousands of visitors. People visited by paddle steamer and a piece of music, the Landslide Quadrille, was written for it. Many beautiful prints and engravings were made. Today they provide an invaluable record that catalogues how the environment has changed over time. In particular how woodland has colonised the area.
There are many historical landslides dating from at least the seventeenth century. The 1839 event was described by two eminent scientists of they day: William Conybeare, then the vicar of Axminster and William Buckland, professor of Geology at Oxford. Their work is possible the earliest scientific description of a landslide and their explanation is still useful to current research.
The 1839 landslide is of a type known as a blockslide. A huge piece of land, known locally as Goat Island, moved towards the sea, leaving a deep chasm. The front edge of the landslide was uplifted out of the sea forming a small natural harbour. Although it proved to be a short-lived feature, questions were asked in Parliament about whether it could become a port for the Navy.
AXMINSTER
Town: Axminster is a small market town on the eastern border ofDevon, England. The town is built on a hill overlooking the River Axe which heads towards the English Channel at Axmouth and is in the East Devon local government district. The market is still held every Thursday.
Main Industry: Axminster Carpets, Axminster Power Tools, ITT Industries.
Population: 5626 (2001 census more like 6000+ in 2008)
Economy: Essentially agricultural but increasingly manufacturing and retail. Axminster has now been designated as a town for growth.
History: Axminster’s origins date back to Celtic times and it is thought to have been first settled around 300 BC. the Fosse Way from Lincoln to Seaton, and the Dorchester-Exeter road. There was a Roman fort on the crossroads at Woodbury Farm, just south of the present town.
Axminster was recorded in the late 9th century as Ascanmynster and in the Doomsday Book of 1086 as Aixeministra. The name means"monastery or large church by the River Axe" and is a mixture of languages; the river name Axe has Celtic origins and mynster is an Old English word.
Town Tour of Historic Sites:
- The Old Courthouse, Archway Bookshop, Minster Church, Original Carpet Factory, Trinity Square, Market Square. Castle Steps, Ducking Stool, The Old Brush works, Vale Lane, Old North Street.
The Saxon church of St Mary stands on Minster Green in the centre of town. It has an interesting Norman door and a Jacobean pulpit.
Most famous for its carpets, the original Axminster factory was opened in 1755 by Thomas Whitty, though the business failed within 80 years and Carpet making was not restarted until 1937.
The streets in Axminster all converge on the main central town Square. At this central point is the Axminster Green where the Minster church of St Mary upon its Saxon foundations stands. The church’s fixtures of interest are a pulpit and reading desk dating from 1633. For those interested in local history, a visit to the Axminster museum is well worthwhile. For some places to visit, check out our page on what's to be seen in and around Axminster. The exhibits and collections range from traditional agricultural tools, archaeology, old photographs and carpet making. The museum is housed in the Old Courthouse, complete with 2 old Police Cells.
Some Suggestions for local walks.
3.00 miles away Colyton - River Coly - Parehayne Hill
From the beautiful little Devon town of Colyton, walk beside the small but very pretty River Coly, crossing fields for about 3.5km before taking a narrow lane up to Rockerhayne. From there tracks and bridleways take you up to Parehayne Wood and Hill. Enjoy stunning panoramic views across Devon and Dorset as you make your way back along more tracks towards Colyton. Take in the sea view in the distance and the little town itself nestling amongst the hills. 7.45 miles
4.00 miles away Seaton - Beer - Pratt's Hill - Holyford - Seaton
From Seaton follow the coast path to Beer, then climb for some way to the top of Pratt's Hill, which commands fine views, before returning to Seaton. 7.15 miles
4.00 miles away Fishpond Bottom - Wootton Fitzpaine and River Char
Here are stunning panoramic views over the Dorset and Devon hills. From the old earthworks of Coney's Castle, walk along tracks and across fields into Wootton Fitzpaine. Then for 1.5km follow a lovely bubbling stream through meadowlands, before following the course of the small River Char for about 3km. Use is made of both The Liberty Trail and The Monarch's Way. From the map it looks as if you walk close to the A35, but in fact you are in fields and the distance is less than 145m before turning to Catherston Leweston, then only another 450m before leaving it altogether. 9.01 miles
5.00 miles away Stonebarrow Hill, Charmouth - Coastal Path - St Gabriel's(Walk ID: 4301)
Start by walking across the heathland to the coastal path. Follow for about 2km with the famous Golden Cap in view ahead before turning inland to the medieval remains of Stanton St Gabriel's. The old manor-house still remains. Explore the rest of the grounds before making your way to the 17th Century St Wite's Well. Then fantastic views over Dorset lead you back to the car park. This walk was intended to go into Charmouth but coastal erosion between there and St Gabriel's makes this impossible. Enjoy Charmouth afterwards. 4.35 miles
5.00 miles away Membury: The River Yarty and Castle Mound (Walk ID: 4705)
Starting from the lovely little village of Membury, pass the village church before crossing fields to reach the River Yarty. Follow this pretty, bubbling river for about 3km before small country lanes and fields lead up to the site of Membury Castle and Fort. Enjoy beautiful Devon scenery. 6.21 miles
6.00 miles away Langdon Hill - Golden Cap - Langdon Hill
This is an easy walk up to the summit of Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast. The height is gained gradually and there are always great views to give excuse for a rest. 1.55 miles