If you’re looking for a wonderful place to spend your next family break by the seaside, Lyme Regis holidays will delight both you and the kids. Tucked into the stunning Jurassic Coast in Dorset, this charming seaside town offers a scenic playground with beautiful beaches, child-friendly attractions, and a host of outdoor activities that will keep the whole family entertained.

 

Beaches to Explore

One of the main draws of Lyme Regis is its stunning beaches. There’s a mix of sandy and pebble beaches to choose from with Front Beach winning top spot for family-friendliness. The gently sloping shore is perfectly suited to paddling in the shallow waters, while a golden stretch of sand means little ones can build sandcastles to their hearts’ content.

Of course, no day at the beach would be complete without an ice cream, and Baboo Gelato kiosk on the harbourside is a ‘must’ with artisanal flavours like S’mores, Crystallised Ginger and Chocolate & Orange in the mix. On less-sunny days you can head to Charmouth Beach and hunt for fossils —an exciting way to spark young imaginations and find treasure to take home with you!

 

 

Attractions Galore

When the weather’s warm and the sun is shining, not much beats a day on the beach however if the weather isn’t playing ball or you fancy an outing, Lyme Regis is packed with attractions that kids will love.

Langmoor & Lister Gardens right behind the main beach is free to access and is a lovely spot for relaxation. There’s a crazy golf course and table tennis for all ages to enjoy as well as paths to wander and places for picnics, all with wonderful views across Lyme Bay.

The Jurassic Coastline is famous for its fossils so no doubt your inquisitive-minded brigade will love seeing real life examples at Dinosaurland Fossil Museum. Set in the Old Town, the museum features a super collection of the local Jurassic marine fossils which should be fascinating to both younger members and older members of your clan.

For something faster-paced and tons of fun you can hire a RIB from Lyme RIB Rides which operates from The Cobb on the harbour and experience the coastline at high speed. Or for a more chilled-out adventure, the company does a 30-minute Jurassic Coastal Cruise with gorgeous views and marine life to spot along the way. (between April and October)

If you have young children in tow we’d suggest a visit to the Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium on The Cobb which is especially suited to tots. The aquarium which is family-run, focuses on an interactive experience so your littlest members can look forward to holding starfish, hand-feeding mullet and getting up close to sea-dwelling crustaceans like lobsters and crabs.

 

 

Outdoor adventure

One of the challenges of a holiday with kids is finding ways to help them burn off their energy, so having various outdoor activities at your disposal while you’re on holiday is any parent’s dream.

You’ll be pleased to know then, that there are plenty of places for fresh air fun in and around Lyme Regis including the National Trust Coney’s Castle which is under 20 minutes’ drive. This Iron Age Hillfort does not actually have a castle but don’t let that put you off – there are tons of brilliant walks through majestic woodland with ancient, gnarled oak and beech trees along the way – great for a game of hide and seek.

Now, we know you’ve hunted for fossils, but how about hunting for pirate treasure? Lyme Regis harbour and The Cobb have come up with a brilliant way to keep kids entertained while you do a bit of site seeing. Uncover Pirate Spike Barnacle’s gold on Chick Island on a self-guided walking trail around the town. This 1.8 mile loop comes with a map and clues and takes over 2 hours to complete so kiddos may want to hit the sack earlier than usual after this one.

You have to sea this

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