Right on the west border of Dorset, England, you’ll find Lyme Regis – called “The Pearl of Dorset”, it is a town noted for its fossils found in cliffs and beaches, the harbor, and other various landmarks.
Like many destinations in Dorset, the city offers a number of wonderful coastal and inland routes to explore. You are free to take a stroll along the Marine Parade and out along the historic Cobb.
Lyme Regis Webcam View of Lyme Regis Harbour
If you stop at the end and gaze back towards the town, Lyme Regis looks incredibly pretty from that vantage point. Or you can stay in the town or enjoy a riverside walk. When it comes to an evening stroll, you’ll end up finding something exciting no matter the mood.
For those with a liking for water, there are plenty of water-based activities to take advantage of. May it be a ride on a paddleboard, a kayak adventure, or if you prefer something a little more relaxing then there a boat trip, even fishing.
If you prefer to keep your feet on, then what is better than a game of crazy golf. A great activity for kids that will put smiles on a person of any age. The town is full of potential for great experiences.
As the town is quite known for its fossils that can be found on its beaches and cliffs, it is undeniably one of the bigger sources of interest in the city. You can find these fossils across Heritage Coast, known commercially as the Jurassic Coast – a World Heritage Site stretching for over 150 kilometers (95 miles), from Orcombe Point near Exmouth in the west to Old Harry Rocks in the east.
The coastal exposures provide a continuous sequence of rock formations, spanning approximately 185 million years of the Earth’s history. Regions along the Jurassic Coast include a large range of important fossil zones.
For example, the Blue Lias and Charmouth Mudstone geological formations are hosts to a multitude of remains from the Early Jurassic era, a time period from which good quality fossil records are rare. Many great remains can be found, even including complete specimens of important species.
What’s more impressive and makes the destination a place to put on your trip bucket list is that many of the earliest discoveries of dinosaur and other prehistoric reptile remains were made in the area surrounding Lyme Regis.
Some of these significant finds include the Ichthyosaurus, Plesiosaurus, Dimorphodon, Scelidosaurus, and Dapedium. If you’re waiting for just the right time to visit the city, if your interest surrounds the fossils, in particular, the town holds an annual Mary Anning Day and Lyme Regis Fossil Festival.
For something a bit more traditional, when it comes to vacations, the beaches are a good pick. Lyme Regis is a picturesque and historic seaside town set in an area full of natural beauty. The beaches in the town are a mix of sand and pebbles, so choosing the right one for you could be important.
The Monmouth beach is very pebbly, while the front beach is a flat, sandy beach, as is Cobb Gate, so feel free to pick your favorite. Bringin a pet companion is allowed during certain months (October to April) and fossil hunting is really popular.
You can organize a fossil walk by contacting the Lyme Regis TIC for information on the topic. This means you can bring your entire family, dog included, on a beach trip to find some ancient treasure in a location known for its archeological importance – exciting.
If planning an expedition didn’t plan out as you expected or if you just simply had no time to plan it before arriving, the Lyme Regis Museum will save the day. You will be able to enjoy a fossil galore in an interactive geology gallery, utilize the learning center, that will entertain a family of any size, and dive into the local history head first.
The museum is located right near the beach, so it’s a great spot even if you’re on your way to the beach, or if you find yourself nearby. And if the excitement of the thought is getting to you, feel free to take an early look by using one of the free webcams you can find on this site!
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