Season: spring
Fine weather and blue skies greeted me at Lyme Regis. The morning was quiet and the bay was still, yet the sea relentlessly turned the stones and pebbles on the shingle beach, as always. The sun in the east shed clear light onto the attractive beach huts along the seafront and the character cottages behind, with their ornate lamp posts over the promenade. There’s a pleasing arc as you walk round to The Cobb; it’s a fine place to start the day.
A bright start to the day for Judith at Lyme Regis.
A view of the bay from the sea wall.
Season: autumn
Lyme Regis has breathtaking scenery, making it an appealing resort to visit at any time of the year. Its historic Cobb and the harbour are striking features, set below moody blue cliffs that yield fossilised evidence of life on earth millions of years ago. The town featured in the Domesday Book and is home to a number of historical landmarks and educational attractions. As well as providing the inspiration for Tolkien’s The Hobbit, the harbour featured in film adaptations of John Fowles’ French Lieutenant’s Woman and Jane Austen’s Persuasion, as well as Ammonite, about the fossil hunter Mary Anning. From the watermill, which dates all the way back to the 14th century, to the beautiful St Michael’s Church and the Lepers’ Well, there’s plenty to see and enjoy here, whatever your interest. There’s a strong literary community in Lyme, as well as the vibrant Marine Theatre.
The freedom of the beach for Lucy.
A fine, bright morning at Lyme Regis.
Season: spring
It was a blustery day for this seasonal visit, with morning mist hanging heavily over the Jurassic Coast’s cliffs at the eastern end of Lyme Bay. This town has a fine mixture of natural beauty, with its arcing beach and stylish terraces by the beach, not forgetting The Cobb, which shelters the marina and fishing boats. Despite the mixed weather, on this occasion plenty of visitors were already thronging Lyme’s High Street, from fossil hunters to school trips and those drawn to the beach itself.
A subconscious attraction to the beach.
A feeling of peace and contentment. A place where life’s trials and tribulations are blown away, kids can laugh and play, lovers can stroll hand in hand, happy and barefoot along the sand. A meeting of land and sea, the beach – the most restful and invigorating place one’s soul can be.