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Seaside Towns & Villages

Lyme Regis is a pretty seaside town that winds its way down to the harbour with its famous Cobb. Ships sailed from this historic spot to meet the Spanish Armada. The coastline is dramatically beautiful, criss-crossed by rambling paths and home to all kinds of flora and fauna.

Recent coastal protection works have not only improved the area's stability and sea defences, but the town has also undergone a renovation, gaining pristine sand and shingle beaches, a new and improved promenade, and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Charmouth has a safe, sandy beach, ideal for families, offers pubs, cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes. The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre provides a fascinating insight into the geology of the West Dorset coast, offering hands-on displays and activities for all the family. Hire a hammer from the fossil shop and go in search of your own fossil, or take a guided fossil walk with one of the centre's fossil experts.

West Bay (once called Bridport Harbour) is the ideal location for a family holiday and is brimful of fun and activities. Its busy waterfront with bright kiosks buzzes on a summer day. If you've seen an episode of the TV series Harbour Lights, the area may seem very familiar to you!

The world famous Chesil Beach is a truly awesome sight. Behind the 17 mile long bank of shingle beach is a magnificent lagoon, home to free flying, mute swans. Inland from here is the village of Abbotsbury, where you will discover attractive stone cottages, the remains of an Abbey, sub-tropical gardens, a children's farm and the domineering sight of St Catherine's Chapel, perching on a hilltop high above the village.

Why not also go off the beaten track and find the more secluded spots, ideal if you want to get away from it all. West Bexington, Seatown and Burton Bradstock all offer a quiet spot for a picnic or pub lunch!