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If you’re planning a family outing, consider visiting The Donkey Sanctuary in the charming coastal town of Sidmouth. This...
A Lyme Regis beach is ideal for water sports, relaxing and fossil hunting. Savour the fresh, sea-air as you admire the stunning Jurassic Coast.
It’s no secret that Lyme Regis is a hotspot for some of the most incredible beaches in the UK. Situated along the UNESCO World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast, Lyme Regis is well-placed for holidaymakers to enjoy miles of pristine sand, picturesque pebbles and fantastic waves.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly spot to relax for the day, a windswept adventure paradise for water sports, or you want to try your hand at fossil hunting, there is a beach for you in and around Lyme Regis.
Continue reading to discover 11 of the best beaches in Lyme Regis…
Named after the Duke of Monmouth who landed here after a failed rebellion in 1685, Monmouth Beach is now a haven for water sports. Stretching westwards from The Cobb, this tranquil beach is a favourite with fossil hunters.
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Many famous fossils such as ammonites, belemnites and even ichthyosaur vertebrae have been found here! Once you’re done splashing in the surf, you can explore the nearby Undercliff Nature Reserve.
For more ways to spend a day here, check-out our blog: Your Guide to Monmouth Beach.
Miles of beach: 1 mile
Type of Beach: Pebbled
Dog-friendly: Yes, all year round
Address: Monmouth Beach, Lyme Regis, DT7 3LE
Sheltered by the harbour, Sandy Beach is the perfect spot for families. It boasts calm waters, soft golden sand, and plenty of amenities like toilets, showers and cafes nearby.
During peak season it’s raked every day, has lifeguards watching over the water and has plenty of places to pick up a refreshing treat. Ice cream anyone?
Miles of beach: 0.3 miles
Type of Beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Yes, but only on leads, from October to April.
Address: Sandy Beach, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, DT7 3JH
The main beach of Lyme Regis, Front Beach has everything you could ever need for the perfect day by the seaside.
This includes toilets, showers, a lifeguard hut, and plenty of activities like kayaking, snorkelling and canoeing on offer.
Right next to the promenade, the colourful beach hunts are available to rent every day of the week. Beach matting also makes areas of the beach accessible to wheelchair users. Beach wheelchairs are also available to rent from the local council.
Miles of beach: 0.7 miles
Type of Beach: Part sand, part shingle
Dog-friendly: Yes, but only on leads, from October to April.
Address: Front Beach, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, DT7 3JE
This dog-friendly beach in Lyme Regis gets its name from St Michael the Archangel Church, which overlooks the promenade above it.
You might recognise it as one of the locations featured in the film, ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’, starring Meryl Streep.
Whilst it is on the smaller side, what the beach lacks in size it makes up for with stunning views of the surrounding coastline. Make sure to check the tide times before you visit, as it is completely submerged at full tide.
Beach Size: 120 yards
Type of Beach: Part sand, part pebble/rock
Dog-friendly: Yes, all year round.
Address: Church Cliff Beach, Church Street, Lyme Regis, DT7 3QB
Walk along the sea wall from Lyme Regis town centre and you’ll reach its most easterly beach, locally known as Back Beach.
One of the quietest Lyme Regis beaches, East Cliff is a popular haunt with adults looking for a peaceful sunbathing spot, dog walkers, and fossil hunters looking for ammonites.
Miles of Beach: 0.4 Miles
Type of Beach: Shingle and rock
Dog-friendly: Yes, all year round.
Address: East Cliff Beach, Lyme Regis, DT7 3DA
This little spot of sand and shingle is a delightful place to watch boats coming and going from Lyme Regis Harbour.
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It lies at the end of The Cobb walkway and has built up over time from sand deposited from the mainland. If you choose to stop here, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views out towards the English Channel.
Beach Size: 70 yards
Type of Beach: Shingle and sand.
Dog-friendly: Yes, but only on leads.
Address: The Cobb, Lyme Regis DT7 3JJ
Charmouth is the village along from Lyme Regis and can be accessed by car or on foot. Sitting under the atmospheric Black Ven, to the west of the River Char, Charmouth West Beach is a great place to paddle, look for fossils and admire the views.
When you’ve finished sunbathing, you can head over to the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre to see an impressive collection of fossils found locally.
Miles of beach: Approx 1.5 miles
Type of Beach: Sand, with a few pebbles.
Dog-friendly: Yes, but you must pick up their waste.
Address: Charmouth, Dorset, DT6 6QX
Sitting on the other side of the river, Charmouth East Beach shares all the same village amenities as Charmouth West Beach, as well as plenty of car parking.
This family-friendly beach has fewer pebbles than its western counterpart, and plenty of exposed sand at low tide so is better for kids wanting to build sandcastles. It is also home to plenty of rockpools!
Miles of beach: 2 miles
Type of Beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Yes, but you must pick up their waste.
Address: Charmouth, Dorset, DT6 6Q
This rugged section of the Jurassic Coastline is only accessible at low tide, via East Cliff Beach but it is well worth a visit.
The cliffs and beach below are sandwiched between Lyme Regis and Charmouth, so make a lovely day’s walk if you’re planning to visit.
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The interesting beach is often littered with fossils from the cliffs above, and the views over Lyme Bay are stunning. If you want to walk back from Charmouth, it’s best to take the inland Southwest Coast Path back to Lyme Regis.
To explore more of Jurassic Coast, check-out our comprehensive guide: Everything You Need to Know About Durdle Door Beach.
Miles of beach: Approx 0.5 miles
Type of Beach: Sandy/Rocky
Dog-friendly: Yes
Address: The Spittles, Lyme Regis, DT6 6BW
The picturesque seaside village of West Bay boasts two lovely beaches. East Beach has a glorious backdrop of sandstone cliffs, and plenty of space for games, sandcastles and all kinds of holiday fun.
Lifeguards patrol the beach in summer, and there are toilets and other amenities in the nearby village. In warmer weather, you can grab an ice cream and wander around the harbour when you’ve finished sunbathing, and in the winter you can head into The Bridport Arms for a hearty lunch.
Like the look of Bridport? Read our guide: 23 Fun Things To do in Bridport to discover a wealth of attractions.
Miles of beach: 1 mile
Type of Beach: Shingle
Dog-friendly: Yes
Address: East Beach, 1-3 Station Rd, West Bay, Bridport DT6 4EW
Chesil Beach is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful beaches in the UK. Not your traditional beach dotted with deckchairs or sandcastles, Chesil is home to 18 miles of windswept nature and unforgettable scenery.
You can walk on the beach either from Abbotsbury, or from Portland, but swimming isn’t advised at any time of year due to the strong currents. However, the beach is very popular with anglers! For more fun things to do whilst in the area, browse: Your Guide to Abbotsbury Swannery.
One of the best ways to visit this iconic landmark is by exploring the calm waters of Fleet Lagoon Via boat trip, accessible from the Wild Chesil Visitor Centre in Portland during the spring and summer months.
Miles of beach: 18 miles
Type of Beach: Shingle
Dog-friendly: Chesil Beach at Abbotsbury to the Dragon’s Teeth Boundary, dogs are welcome all year. From the Tank Teeth Boundary at Abbotsbury to the Portland Boundary Stone, dogs are welcome on leads to the outer flank (seaward side) of the beach from 1 September to 30 April (at other times dogs are not allowed).
Chesil Car Park (Weymouth): Portland Beach Rd, Weymouth DT4 9XE
Can’t wait to dip your toes in the ocean and visit one of these gorgeous beaches? Book a stay in one of our charming Lyme Regis holiday cottages to get the most out of your next seaside break. You can also plan your beach trip with our blog Lyme Regis Tide Times.
Hi, I'm Georgia and I joined the team in June 2021. I love travelling and finding hidden gems to explore. My favourite place for a...
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