Lyme Regis is often overlooked when thinking about beach breaks or weekends away around the country, and I'm not too sure why. This historic town is simply stunning with its dreamy beaches, beautiful sea views and a high street that Americans would only describe as 'quaint'.
The great thing about Lyme Regis is that it's incredibly dog friendly, so you can take your four-legged friend with you.
Here's a guide to help you locate yourself (and your furry friend) around this historic little harbour.
Where to stay:
The Lyme House: Availble on AirBnB and booking.com The Lyme House is idyllic whether you're going as a couple or as a family.
This house is just on the outskirts of Lyme, but only a 15 minute walk downhill, passing a beautiful church overlooking the sea.
Ample parking, two bedrooms, a kitchen plus a really spacious living room, The Lyme House is affordable, has lovely hosts and a big, uphill garden for your pup to run around in. To boost the appeal, the views of the sea from the very top of the garden are simply splendid.
Where to eat:
The Lyme Bay: is wonderful. It has great sea views and a lovely outdoor area for watching the world by the water. Whether you're opting for breakfast, lunch, dinner or simply an afternoon of rose in the sun, the location for this is perfect. And, it's dog friendly both inside and outside.
SWIM: the new kid on the block of the Lyme Regis scene, SWIM has that cool beach vibe, has both indoor and outdoor seating (both of which are dog friendly), and is great for people watching too. You have to go up to the bar and order, which for me, makes this best for casual lunches as you've finished your beach stroll. The beer and wine choice here is really good. The calamari and the sharing platter are really worth trying.
Baboo Gelato: This little kiosk may seem very ordinary among all the other ice cream places across the Lyme promenade, but please give it a try. All the flavours here are utterly sublime (the maple & pralined walnut being a firm favourite), and what more, they serve a delicious (or so my dog seems to think) dog-friendly version too.
HIX Oyster & Fish House: For a date night away from the pooch, try this place. The food is great and the cocktails even better. Try the Filthy Martini for a the perfect kickstarter to your evening. Or, simply come here for lunch (with the pup) and enjoy the wonderful view of the bay below.
Watch House Cafe: If you feel like venturing out for some excellent pizza, make your way to West Bay for a lovely little place with some huge pizza. Service here is excellent and gives you a little change of scenery too.
What to do:
Go to the beach: Whether you're in the height of Summer and looking to soak up some rays, or in the midst of Winter and looking for a temperamental sea view walk, Lyme Regis has a few dog-friendly beaches.
Dog-friendly all year round:
East Cliff Beach
Church Cliff Beach
Monmouth Beach
Dog-friendly from October to April:
Town Beach
Take a hike: If you're feeling particularly adventurous and fancy a wonder beyond the beach promenade, take a walk towards Monmouth Beach Car Park and follow the signs towards Ware. This walk will take you to a climb up on the cliffs surrounding Lyme and on towards Ware. The views from here are spectacular, so it's worth the initial climb.
Aimlessly exploring: Lyme Regis is a place to relax and unwind, so don't expect too many things to do here. The town itself is small but pretty, so get lost in the little shops, buy cliche souvenirs, and explore as many alleyways and passages that tickle your curiosity.
