About The wonderful world of Lyme Regis

Lyme Regis

The first mention of Lyme was in 774. The town has enjoyed over twelve centuries of both peaceful and turbulent history. It received its Royal Charter from Edward 1 in 1284 and the Charter was renewed by Elizabeth 1 in 1591 after the town’s help fighting the Spanish Armada. For many years Lyme Regis was one of the major trading ports of the South coast. Lyme’s heyday was in the two hundred years between 1500 and 1700 when a vast array of goods was brought in and exported from the town. In the 1800s with the discovery that coastal air and seabathing was an aid to health, together with the construction of the promanade linking the town with the Cobb harbour, Lyme’s good fortunes were revived, As the new science of Palaeontology grew, it found a natural home in Lyme which continues today.

The Perfect Family Resort

Lyme has always been the perfect place for family holidays. The simple pleasures of building sandcastles and

exploring rock pools at low tide bring joy to children, parents and grandparents.

Adults can cast off the pressures of modern living and escape.

Children can fish for crabs off the Cobb or go out in a boat with the fishermen to catch mackerel. There are dinosaurs for them to discover at the Museum, Dinosaurland and the shops around the town. If they want to find their own fossils they can go along the new promenade to the eastern beaches with an organised fossil walk and find fossils for themselves. The Fossil Festival is a must! Throughout the summer there are events to entertain families and children as well as festivals in off peak times to suit lots of different interests. The lifeboat week every summer runs spectacular events for children, as does Regatta and Carnival week. The Art Deco Regent Cinema shows the latest films together with a programme of family films. The Marine theatre puts on performances with families in mind during the school holidays as well as offering a range from contemporary music to opera, serious drama to pantomime. The town hosts a thriving arts community and buzzes with galleries and studios. Every year the Lyme Regis ArtsFest draws together a multitude of talent. Exhibitions are regular events in the town mill malthouse and gallery. As many writers have also been inspired by the town and its surroundings, the BookFest is a must for literary enthusiasts. For those who enjoy good food the town has so many good restaurants to choose from as well as the very popular FoodFest weekend.