Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis, a complete guide to the Dorset town of Lyme Regis on one page.
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Lyme Regis Overview: A small coastal town located in the west of the county of Dorset in the United Kingdom, Lyme Regis has a population of between 4,000 and 5,000 and is often called “The Pearl of Dorset”. Its harbour wall (called “The Cobb”), is famous as featuring in the film “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” which starred actress Meryl Streep. Originally a Saxon settlement, Lyme Regis was first recorded in AD 774, and was later listed in the Domesday Book. Today Lyme Regis is a popular seaside resort attracting many thousands of visitors, especially during the summer months, among its many attractions are “The Cobb”, the Town Mill, Lepers Well, the Lyme Regis Museum and the Dinosaurland Fossil Museum.
Lyme Regis History: Probably originally settled during the Iron Age, the land around present day Lyme Regis is peppered with the remains of Iron Age forts. Also known to the Romans, who built villas in the area, it was first mentioned in Anglo-Saxon writings in AD 774, when it was just a piece of land beside the River Lym, which was handed to a group of monks, for the purpose setting up a sea salt factory. The town received its first Royal Charter in 1284, when is was first allowed to use the suffix “Regis” in its name. It was also during the thirteenth century, that the town became a seaport of some significance.
Lyme Regis was the scene of an 8 week siege during the English Civil War, as Parliamentarians held out against Royalist troops. Also during the early seventeenth century, the town became notable as the landing place of the Duke of Monmouth, as the eventually unsuccessful, Monmouth Rebellion began, in an attempt to overthrow James II. “The Cobb”, the famous harbour wall was first documented in 1328, when it was constructed from oak piles, the Town Mill dates from a similar time – 1340.
The Cobb: The towns famous harbour wall “The Cobb” already existed in the early 14th century when it was documented as being severely damaged by a terrible storm. At that time is was constructed from oak, held in place by large boulders. It was washed away completely in 1377, causing much destruction of shipping, it was later rebuilt using just huge boulders. It was rebuilt once again in the late 18th century, after again being destroyed by storms.
The existence of “The Cobb” enabled the town to develop as a significant port, and also as a centre for shipbuilding, with the most productive years being during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when over one hundred ships were launched there. “The Cobb” also provided storm protection for the town itself, creating an artificial harbour and refuge for local shipping.
“The Cobb” is of course well known as appearing in a major scene of the Meryl Streep film, The French Lieutenant's Woman, taken from the John Fowles novel. Much earlier than this it also appeared in the novel “Persuasion”, written by Jane Austen, after she had spent sometime in the town.
Name Meaning: The town gets its name from the River Lym, which roughly means "torrent of water".
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Lyme Regis Map: Shown to the right is an interesting satellite map of Lyme Regis, which you can turn into a road map by hitting the "MAP" button (top right).
Also visible on this Lyme Regis map are Ware, Charmouth, Pinhay, Uplyme, Rocombe, and Catherston Leweston. Zoom in to get a town centre map.
The town can be reached by road via the A3052, and also the B3165.
Driving Distances: Charmouth - 3.5 miles, Axminster - 6 miles, Seaton 7.5 miles, Bridport - 11 miles, Dorchester - 26 miles, Exeter - 37 miles (Exeter Airport - 27 miles), Taunton - 32 miles, London - 155 miles.
Lyme Regis Dialling Code: 01297
Lyme Regis Co-Ordinates: 50.725° North - 2.940° West
Lyme Regis Tourist Office: Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre – Address: Church Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3BS. Telephone Number: 01297 442 138.
Lyme Regis Parish Church - St Michael the Archangel - Address: Church Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3DA.
Lyme Regis Baptist Church – Address: 2 Sherborne Lane, Lyme Regis, Devon DT7 3NY. Telephone Number: 01297 445 303.
The Woodroffe School - Address: Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3LX. Telephone Number: 01297 442 232 (secondary school).
Lyme Regis Playgroup - Address: The Leisure Centre, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3PF. Telephone Number: 01297 445 365 (pre-school).
Church of England Primary School - Address: Pound Lane, Uplyme, Nr Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3TT. Telephone Number: 01297 442 210 (primary school).
Lyme Regis Hospital / Health Centre / Clinical Services:
Lyme Community Care Centre / Lyme Regis Health Centre - Address: Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3LS. Telephone Number: 01297 445461.
Bridport Community Hospital – Address: Hospital Lane, Town Centre, Bridport DT6 5DR. Telephone Number: 01308 422 371.
Lyme Regis Dentist / Dentists:
Lyme Bay Dentistry – Address: Temple House, 63 Broad St, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3QF. Telephone Number: 01297 442 907.
Dinosaurland Fossil Museum – Address: Coombe Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3PY. Telephone Number: 01297 443 541.
Lyme Regis Museum – Address: Bridge St, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3QA. Telephone Number: 01297 443 370.
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Lyme Regis Hotels:
Alexandra Hotel and Restaurant – Address: Pound Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3HZ. Telephone Number: 01297 442 010 (boutique hotel and restaurant).
Bay Hotel – Address: Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3JQ. Telephone Number: 01297 442 059.
Royal Lion Hotel – Address: 60 Broad Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3QF. Telephone Number: 01297 445 622.
Lyme Regis Bed and Breakfast / B and B / B&B / Guest Houses:
Westwood Guest House – Address: 1 Woodmead Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LJ. Telephone Number: 01297 442 376 (guest house, bed and breakfast).
Lyme Regis Camping / Caravan Park / Campsite / Camping Parks:
Wood Farm Caravan and Camping Park – Address: Axminster Road, Charmouth, Dorset DT6 6BT. Telephone Number: 01297 560 697 (caravan park, camping park).
Lyme Regis Holidays / Cottages / Holiday Rentals / Self-Catering Properties:
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The Royal Standard – Address: 25 Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3JF. Telephone Number: 01297 442 637.
Cobb Arms – Address: Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3JF. Telephone Number: 01297 443242.
The Rock Point Inn – Address: 1-2 Broad Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3QD. Telephone Number: 01297 443153.
Lyme Regis Sports and Leisure:
Lyme Regis Football Club - Davey Fort Ground, Lyme Regis, Dorset.
Uplyme & Lyme Regis Cricket Club - Ground: Lyme Road, Uplyme, Dorset, DT7 3TZ. Telephone Number: Not known.
Lyme Regis Business Directory
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Businesses M-Z |
Lyme Regis Antique & Craft Centre – Address: Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3JH, United Kingdom. Telephone Number: 01297 445053 (antiques and crafts).
Alice's Bear Shop – Address: 6 Bridge Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3QA, United Kingdom. Telephone Number: 01297 444 589.
In The Pink – Address: 59 Silver Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3HR, United Kingdom. Telephone Number: 01297 444 880 (beauty salon).
Clarondene – Address: Clarondene, View Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3AA, United Kingdom. Telephone Number: 01297 442876 (residential care home).
Tree Tops – Address: Tree Tops, Timber Hill, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3HQ, United Kingdom. Telephone Number: 01297 443821 (residential care home).
The Launderette – Address: Russell House, Lym Close, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3DE, United Kingdom. Telephone Number: 01297 445 807.
House Of Flowers – Address: 34 Broad Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3AD, United Kingdom. Telephone Number: 01297 444 743 (florist, flowers, bouquets, flower design).
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Haye Lane Nurseries – Address: Haye Gardens, Haye Lane, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3NQ, United Kingdom. Telephone Number: 01297 442604 (nursery, garden centre).
Herbalist Health – Address: 6 Manor Avenue, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3AU, United Kingdom. Telephone Number: 01297 443 814 (herbalist).
Peter Wiles Photography – Address: 1 Mill Green, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3PH, United Kingdom. Telephone Number: 01297 445 823 (photographer, event photographer, landscape photography).
Lyme Locks – Address: 1 Cooksmead, Uplyme, Dorset, DT7 3XJ, United Kingdom. Telephone Number: 01297 442 673. Mobile: 07808 695894 (locksmiths, security services).
Matt's Cabs – Address: Flat 7, Sherwood, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS, United Kingdom. Telephone Number: 01297 442 222 (taxi company).