Activities
Jane Austen wrote of Charmouth,
"With its high grounds and extensive sweeps of country, and still more, its sweet, retired bay, backed by dark cliffs, where fragments of low rock among the sands, make it the happiest spot for watching the flow of the tide, for sitting in unwearied contemplation"
Charmouth is a beautiful place to make your base for a holiday. Located on the spectacular Jurassic Coast with its hugely diverse & beautiful landscape underpinned by incredible geology of global importance. In 2001 it was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for the outstanding universal value of its rocks, fossils and landforms. It remains England’s only natural World Heritage Site.
West Dorset is full of hidden gems.
From fantastic coastal walks, to fossil hunting on the beaches, to visits to the filming locations for the TV series Broadchurch. If you are here for just a few days why not use an expert guide to help you get the most from your visit and make sure you visit the best locations, see the best views and learn about why this area is so special and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The best beaches in the world on our doorstep
Charmouth Beach was nominated as one of five finalists for BBC Countryfile Magazine Beach Of The Year. Whether you enjoy relaxing, walking or hunting for the famous Jurassic Coast fossils, Charmouth Beach has something for everyone. Nearby Lyme Regis has a lovely beach and the only UK entry in the National Geographic 21 Best Beaches in the World.
So much to do!
WALKING, FOSSIL HUNTING, EXPLORING, COUNTRY HOUSES & GARDENS, EASY ACCESS TO LYME REGIS
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
England's only UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site
Beautiful coastal walks
Filming location for Broadchurch
Thomas Hardy & Jane Austin Country
Walk to Lyme Regis at low tide along the beach
10 min bus ride to Lyme Regis runs every 30 mins (avoid the notorious parking!!!)
Thatched cottages, country pubs
For more ideas visit the local tourism websites: Visit Dorset & Visit Devon
Make the most of your visit
If you are here for just a few days why not use an expert guide to help you get the most from your visit and make sure you visit the best locations, see the best views and learn about why this area is so special and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Itineraries can be tailored to your requirements, for example a coastal walk in the morning, and fossil hunting in the afternoon. These guided walks and tours are especially useful for overseas visitors and those who want to get the most from a few days on the Dorset coast.
Fossil Hunting Walks
If you enjoyed the BBC documentary David Attenborough and the Sea Dragon why not come and hunt for your own fossils, you never know what you might find. A number of local organisations offer guided fossil hunting on the beaches around Charmouth and Lyme Regis. There are 'public walks' which are lower cost, but where you could be in a large group of people, and 'private walks' where you hire a guide exclusively for yourself and your family. Walks and tours can be tailored to suit all ages and abilities. They are led by a qualified, insured & experienced Coastal Leader.
Book your fossil walk with:
Charmouth Heritage Centre www.charmouth.org
Or Lyme Museum www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk
Coastal walks, fossil walks, and Broadchurch experiences can be booked with:
Martin Curtis www.jurassiccoastguides.co.uk 07900 257944
Explore local towns & Villages
LYME REGIS www.lymeregis.org
is home to the famous “Cobb” which was used in films such as Ammonite, and The French Lieutenant’s Women and dates back to the 13th Century. Lyme is a great place to explore: Visit the Museum; take a stroll up the charming high street; visit the Town Mill; and don’t forget to enjoy the lovely beaches (Monmouth, Church Cliff Beach, & Town beach). Lyme Regis, is a lively town with many more pubs and restaurants, events and attractions then Charmouth but is situated just 2 miles away (3 miles to the centre). Many of our guests enjoy days in Lyme Regis before retiring to the peace of Charmouth for the evening.
ABBOTSBURY
The beautiful historic village is home to one of the best gardens of its type in the world - the superb Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens a Victorian walled garden set in 20 acres of woodland valley (Winner of silver medal at Chelsea and silver gilt at Hampton Court Show). Close by is Abbotsbury Swannery where you can walk through the heart of a colony of nesting Mute Swans.
DEVON
SIDMOUTH
Take a trip to the delightful Regency town of Sidmouth, stop off at The Donkey Sanctuary on the way.
SEATON
Home to Seaton Tramway with its narrow gauge heritage trams between Seaton, Colyford and Colyton in East Devon's glorious Axe Valley, travelling alongside the River Axe estuary through two nature reserves and giving an unrivalled view of the abundant wading bird life.
BEER VILLAGE
The beautiful fishing village of Devon is home to some of Britain’s most beautiful scenery with the South West Coast Path running along its cliff tops. In Beer you get a sense of living history. Visit the Beer Quarry Caves (where the Romans came to quarry stone), Pecorama - home to the Beer Heights Light Railway - and the lovely beach where fisherman have earned their living for centuries and still do.
