Things To Do
Whizz off on your electric bike
Leave the quaint village and head over for something that effortlessly combines the thrill of modern living and the relaxing benefits of the county air. Jurassic Electric Bike Adventures will have you discovering parts of the Dorest countryside that roads simply won’t take you . Half day tours are well worth the £30 price tag and give you a great alternative to walking.
www.jurassic-electric.co.uk
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre & Guided Fossil-Hunting Walks
Come face-to-face with one of the best-preserved dinosaurs found in Britain, as well as impressive displays of ammonites, belemnites, crinoids and tubeworms. Once you’ve genned up on fossils with the help of the interactive displays, head off on a two-hour fossil-hunting session with an experienced warden.
www.charmouth.org/chcc
Lyme Regis
Walk along the coast or hop on the bus service to Lyme Regis, where you can come face-to-face with the underwater world at the Marine Aquarium, find out about the area’s most prolific fossil hunter at the town’s museum and gen up on the area’s Jurassic treasures at the Dinosaur Fossil Museum. Take in the scenery atop The Cobb harbour wall or from Langmoor and Lister Gardens, then fuel up on fresh seafood in one of the many seafront eateries.
Eat And Drink
Furzeleigh down Dairy
This farm shop and tea Room is set just outside Axminster enjoying the beautiful Devon countryside. The home-made ice-cream is worth the walk out, let alone the lemon drizzle cake.
www.furzeleighdowndairy.co.uk
Royal Oak, Charmouth
Take a seat on the terrace or hunker down by the log fire and sample local ales from Palmer’s Brewery in nearby Bridport. As well as serving a decent pint and award-winning wines, the Royal Oak serves up a hearty selection of food from the region’s suppliers. Dogs are welcome and there are darts, table skittles and dominoes to keep you entertained.
www.royaloakcharmouth.co.uk
Hix Oyster and Fish House, Lyme Regis
You can’t mention eating anywhere near Lyme Regis without reference to this world-class seafood restaurant overlooking Lyme Bay. From prawns and oysters to crab and cockles, almost everything served is plucked from the ocean in view. Celeb chef Mark Hix keeps his style simple and elegant, leaving the quality of the local ingredients to do the talking.
www.hixoysterandfishhouse.co.uk
Wild Walks
Charmouth to Seatown
Lace up your hiking boots and head east out of Charmouth for a rollercoaster 4.7-mile walk along the coast path, via the highest peak on the south coast of England. The challenging 30-minute detour to reach the 191-metre summit of Golden Cap is worth it for the eye-popping views over Lyme Bay, Dartmoor and the sculpted cliffs of this World Heritage coastline.
www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/311/
Golden Cap
If you want to conquer the south coast’s highest peak without tackling the entire stretch of coast path to Seatown, park up in one of the National Trust’s car parks at Langdon Hill or Stonebarrow Hill. From here there’s much less distance to cover to reach the summit, and if you can’t hack the calf-busting climb, there are always the 25 miles of easier footpaths circulating the estate.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/golden-cap
Whitchurch Canonicorum
Why not take a break from the undulating coastal paths and take an easy-going countryside walk along the River Char? Follow the footpath from the centre of the village towards Wootton, and just after the bypass bridge veer towards Whitchurch Canonicorum. When you reach Whitchurch it’s worth popping into the ancient ‘Cathedral of the Vale’ and taking a look at the shrine to St Whit.
Events & Festivals
APRIL
Lyme Regis Fossil festival, Lyme Regis
During this weekend of festivities celebrating the area’s prehistoric bounty, the whole family can enjoy fascinating talks and explore the past with a huge range of hands-on activities along the seafront.
www.fossilfestival.co.uk
MAY
Lyme Regis Jazz and Blues Weekend, Lyme Regis
It doesn’t matter whether or not the sun shines on the May Bank Holiday weekend – this toe-tapping jazz festival marks one of the busiest weekends of the year in Lyme Regis.
www.lymeregisjazzfestival.co.uk
JULY
Jurassic Fields Music Festival, Bridport
This family-friendly festival showcases the region’s best music, comedy, food and entertainment.
Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week, Lyme Regis
Brace yourself for a week packed with events, activities and entertainment, from the bathtub race, tug-of-war and crab-fishing competition, to swimming challenges, Morris dancers, fireworks and live bands.
AUGUST
Lyme Regis Red Arrows Day, Lyme Regis
Don’t miss the spectacular annual display of aerial acrobatics by the famous Red Arrows.
SEPTEMBER
Lyme Folk Weekend, Lyme Regis
Take a seat at the iconic Marine Theatre and enjoy a weekend of easy listening to folk legends.
www.lymefolk.com
NOVEMBER
Bridport Literary Festival, Bridport
Hang out with literati and enjoy talks, events and entertainment from the region’s finest wordsmiths.
www.bridlit.com
DECEMBER
Christmas Day Fancy Dress Swim, Charmouth
Put on your festive fancy dress and head to nearby Charmouth beach for a festive dip. Don’t be late the plunge takes place at 11am and most of the swimmers are out by a minute past.
http://jurassicfields.com
Shop Til You Drop
The Forge Fossils, Charmouth
If you don’t manage to find fistfuls of fossils on the beach, head to this family-run fossil shop and take your pick of Jurassic treasures found on local shores.
Herringbone, Charmouth
Get your hands on unique gifts handmade by the local artists and makers behind this creative collective. As well as paintings, photographs, textiles and jewellery inspired by the coastal lifestyle, you will also find vintage and upcycled goods.
Breeze, Charmouth
Enter this Aladdin’s cave of funky gifts and you won’t be able to resist filling your shopping bags with gorgeous goodies – from seaside artwork to silk scarves.
