Family Friendly Activities in Lyme Regis
By Ben Matthews, Dorset and Devon Holiday Cottages
Family Friendly Activities in Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis is a wonderful place for a family holiday. This small seaside town packs an enormous amount into a compact, walkable space, from a safe sandy beach and world famous fossil hunting to hands on museums, boat trips and clifftop gardens. Whether you are visiting with toddlers or teenagers, and whether the sun is shining or the rain has set in, there is always something to keep everyone happy.
Best of all, most of the main attractions sit within a short stroll of one another, so there is no need to spend half your holiday in the car. If you are looking for somewhere to base yourselves, our family cottages in and around Lyme Regis give you the space and flexibility that family trips need, all within easy reach of the seafront. Here are our favourite family friendly activities in Lyme Regis.
A classic day on the beach
No family trip to Lyme Regis is complete without time on the beach. Front Beach, right in the heart of town beside the harbour, is the only sandy beach in Lyme Regis and the natural choice for younger children, with gentle paddling, space for sandcastles and RNLI lifeguards on patrol during the summer months. Cafes, ice cream and fish and chips are all just steps away.
For a quieter day, head a little further east to Church Cliff Beach, where rock pools full of crabs and anemones appear at low tide and keep curious children busy for hours. Our guide to the best beaches in Lyme Regis runs through each one in detail, including which are best for families and where dogs are welcome.
Go fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coast
Lyme Regis sits at the heart of the Jurassic Coast, England’s only natural World Heritage Site, and fossil hunting here is a genuine thrill for children and grown ups alike. The beaches towards Monmouth Beach and neighbouring Charmouth are among the best places in the country to find ammonites and belemnites, especially after winter storms have washed fresh material from the cliffs.
For families new to it, a guided fossil walk takes all the guesswork out of the day. The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, a short drive or coastal walk away, runs family friendly walks and has free displays that bring the area’s prehistory to life. The golden rule is to collect loose material from the beach rather than hammering at the cliffs, and to always keep an eye on the tide.
Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium
Tucked at the end of the historic Cobb, the Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium is a firm family favourite and a brilliant way to meet the creatures that live just offshore. It is hands on and friendly, with the chance to feed the resident mullet and hold a starfish, and the knowledgeable team are great with inquisitive children. It is small enough to suit short attention spans and makes a perfect hour out, rain or shine.
Dinosaurland Fossil Museum
Housed in a former church once linked to the legendary fossil hunter Mary Anning, Dinosaurland Fossil Museum is a treasure trove of thousands of fossils, including a complete ichthyosaur and plenty of dinosaur displays to spark young imaginations. It is a wonderful rainy day option and a natural follow on from a morning of fossil hunting, helping children identify and understand the finds they have made on the beach.
Boat trips from the Cobb
Heading out onto the water is always a highlight. From the end of the Cobb you can take a gentle sightseeing cruise along the coast, try a spot of mackerel fishing, or, for older children craving a bit more excitement, book a high speed RIB ride that skims across Lyme Bay. Trips generally run between spring and autumn and offer a fantastic perspective on the dramatic coastline. Do check minimum age limits, as the faster rides are not suitable for toddlers.
Gardens, mini golf and play parks
When little legs need a break from the beach, the award winning Langmoor and Lister Gardens offer lawns, planting and lovely views over the bay, with paths winding gently down towards the seafront. They are perfect for a picnic, and within the gardens you will find an 18 hole mini golf course that is great fun for all ages. For letting off steam, the well equipped playground at Anning Road has everything from a pirate ship and zipline to a dedicated area for toddlers.
Ideas for a rainy day
Even when the weather turns, Lyme Regis keeps families entertained. The Marine Aquarium and Dinosaurland are both happily indoors, the seafront amusement arcade is a reliable hit with children, and the town’s independent shops, sweet shops and cafes are a pleasure to browse while you wait for a shower to pass. A wet day here rarely means a wasted one. For more inspiration whatever the forecast, browse our guide to things to do in Lyme Regis.
Where to stay for a family holiday
The beauty of Lyme Regis for families is how close everything is, so choosing a base near the town centre means you can walk to the beach, the Cobb and the main attractions with ease. Our family cottages are chosen with extra space and comfort in mind, while a sea view holiday cottage adds the magic of waking up to Lyme Bay. Travelling with the dog as well as the children? Our dog friendly cottages make it easy to bring the whole family along, and a short break is a great way to fit in a quick coastal getaway during term time or the school holidays.
If you are still working out when to come, our guide to the best time to visit Lyme Regis weighs up each season, and you can always start your search with our full collection of Lyme Regis holiday cottages.
There is something about a family holiday in Lyme Regis that sticks with children long after they have grown. It might be the first ammonite they prised from the shingle, the starfish they were brave enough to hold, or simply the chips eaten on the harbour wall as the boats bobbed in the bay. The town has a knack for turning ordinary days into the kind your family talks about for years.
Gather your bucket and spade, pack a waterproof just in case, and come and make some memories. Browse our Lyme Regis holiday cottages. to find the perfect base for your next adventure on the Jurassic Coast.
