Lyme Regis Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Lyme Regis, Dorset, England, UK)

Although it is the Lyme Regis fossils that so many tourists come here to see and hunt for, there are lots of other attractions in the town centre. The beaches of Lyme Regis are always a fun place to hang out, with adjacent tourist attractions including traditional seaside amusements and quirky gift shops, selling postcards, fossils and gemstones.

The town contains its very own cinema and theatre, as well as a small aquarium attractions, Dorset winery and beautiful seafront gardens. Lyme Regis is also a good place for fishing, crabbing and walking, and is actually part of the West Country's famous Hardy Trail.

Scuba Diving, Fishing and Crabbing

Address: Lyme Regis, Dorset, England, UK
Various different choices present themselves to anglers visiting Lyme Regis, with a large proportion choosing to fish from the beach, where on a fine day, it is possible to see as far as Portland. In the summer you can catch mackerel and plaice from the beach, while by winter, codling and whiting are more likely to be caught. Deep-sea fishing is also available here, with chartered boat trips lasting between three and eight hours, and regularly returning with giant conger eels, bass, cod and skate. Visitors with young children often like to try their hand at crabbing off the harbour, with crab lines, bait and crabbing buckets being readily available from gift shops close by.
Open hours: seasonal variations
Admission: varies according to activity

Walks and Walking Trails

Address: Lyme Regis, Dorset, England, UK
There are a very enticing series of footpaths around Lyme Regis and for many the town is considered to be something of a paradise for keen walkers. In the town centre itself, the Marine Parade is a great place for a leisurely stroll between the Cobb Gate and the beachfront, passing shops, eateries and amusements along the way. Close by, the Undercliff is home to an especially historic National Nature Reserve and a pathway connecting Lyme Regis with Seaton. Although this undulating path can be a little steep at times, the views and endless bird watching opportunities more than make up for any effort. The South-West Coast Path also makes for a popular trek and leads northwards into rural Dorset, westwards into Devon, and to the very top of the Golden Cap, which is the South Coast's highest vantage point and overlooks Lyme Bay.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Marine Aquarium

Address: The Cobb, The Harbour, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3JJ, England, UK
Tel: +44 01297 444230
Although the Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium could hardly be compared to a modern Sea Life Park attraction, it is certainly pleasant enough and contains some extremely friendly fish. Located on the historical Cobb and alongside the seafront, the Marine Aquarium was established more than 50 years ago and stands in an early 18th-century stone building. The aquarium is home to everything from lobsters and velvet swimming crabs, to mullet, wrasse, starfish and sea scorpions. Children are often intrigued by the resident hairy sea mice. Although the Marine Aquarium does provide a fun diversion as you walk along the Cobb, it is quite expensive considering it's a small size, particularly if you are a family of four or five.
Open hours: February half-term, March to October - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children and seniors

Lyme Bay Winery

Address: Shute, Axminster, Devon, EX13 7PW, England, UK
Tel: +44 01297 551355
The award-winning Lyme Bay Winery is situated just 8 km / 5 miles away from Lyme Regis, on the easterly border of Devon, and by road can be reached in approximately 12 minutes. Known for its specialities of sparkling elderflower wine, nettle wine, whisky mead liqueur and Jack Rat 'scrumpy' cider, the Lyme Bay Winery also features a selection of ales, cordials, vinegars and preserves. Onsite is a very popular winery shop, where you are able to first sample any of the drinks before you choose what you would like to buy as your Devon holiday tipple.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 15:00
Admission: free

Seafront Gardens

Address: Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, Dorset, England, UK
Much stabilisation work was carried out in the town between the years of 2005 and 2007 at the cost of more than £15 million, to prevent further erosion of the Lyme Regis coastline. At this stage, the former Seafront Gardens were destroyed and the resident wildlife carefully relocated. At the end of the stabilisation project, the Seafront Gardens were completely redesigned, replanted with colourful shrubs and wildlife friendly flowers, and filled with bird and bat boxes. Attractions at the Seafront Gardens now include crazy golf, a putting green, table tennis and a woodland boardwalk, which boasts some of the town's best possible panoramas - bring your camera! The Marine Parade Shelters are close by and also of note.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Sports and Outdoor Activities

Address: Lyme Regis, Dorset, England, UK
There really are a good choice of outdoor attractions around the Lyme Regis area, with the most notable of these including the football at the Davey Fort, a bowling green next to the seafront parade, and cricket and croquet on the King George V playing field at Uplyme, where tennis courts are also to be found. If you are a keen golfer, then the local golf course on Timber Hill is likely to please, since it affords some exceptional views of the seaside and ranks amongst England's most scenic. Tourists simply looking for indoor entertainment may like to enjoy a round of darts or a game of skittles at one of the town's public houses.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: charge for some activities