Fossils, the Cobb, and the highest sea cliff on the south coast — the Jurassic Coast at its most dramatic
About this day
This is one of our hand-crafted Dorset Days — a complete itinerary built around three locations that sit within a few miles of each other, so you spend your time exploring rather than driving. All stops, parking details, tips and food recommendations are included.
Start in Lyme Regis — one of the most charming small towns on the English coast, with a long history as a fossil-hunting destination. The town is built on unstable cliffs that constantly erode, revealing new fossils. Walk along the famous Cobb — the ancient stone harbour wall that features in Jane Austen's Persuasion and John Fowles' The French Lieutenant's Woman. The town centre has excellent fossil shops, independent cafés and a small but fascinating museum.
Walking the full length of the Cobb on a clear morning, with the town behind you and the sea ahead, is one of the great short walks on the English coast.
Useful to know
Drive 2 miles east to Charmouth — the best beach in Britain for finding ammonites and belemnites. The cliffs here are constantly eroding and releasing fossils onto the beach. The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre runs guided fossil walks and provides free advice on where and how to look. You do not need any specialist equipment — just walk the beach at low tide and look carefully at the pebbles. Most visitors find at least one fossil.
Finding your first ammonite on Charmouth Beach — a creature that lived 185 million years ago — is a genuinely thrilling experience, even for adults.
Useful to know
End the day with a walk to the summit of Golden Cap — at 191 metres, the highest sea cliff on the south coast of England. The National Trust land around Golden Cap includes some of the finest coastal walking in Britain, with views stretching from Portland Bill to Start Point in Devon on a clear day. The summit is reached by a 2-mile walk from the car park at Seatown, passing through wildflower meadows and ancient woodland.
The view from the summit of Golden Cap on a clear day — with the whole Jurassic Coast laid out below you — is one of the great views in England.
Useful to know
The best pubs and cafes within easy reach of today's stops — all from our Dorset Business Directory.
A legendary Dorset pub sitting directly on the beach at Seatown, right at the foot of Golden Cap. Serves excellent local ales, fresh seafood and hearty pub food. The outdoor terrace looks directly onto the beach and the cliffs. One of the finest pub locations in England — a post-walk pint here is one of the great Dorset experiences.
A pint on the beach terrace after climbing Golden Cap, with the sea in front of you and the cliff behind — there is no better pub moment in Dorset.
A popular pub on the seafront in Lyme Regis, serving food and local ales with views of the Cobb. A good option for lunch before heading to Charmouth.
Seafront views of the Cobb with a good pint — a classic Lyme Regis lunch stop.
A traditional village pub in Charmouth, serving food and ales. A good option for lunch between fossil hunting and the Golden Cap walk.
A reliable village pub — good food and a warm welcome after a morning on the beach.
The Featured Recommendation slot is available for local businesses. Get in touch to find out more.
Lyme Regis: Holmbush car park, DT7 3HU (pay and display). Charmouth: Heritage Coast Centre car park, DT6 6LL.
Golden Cap: Seatown car park, DT6 6EP (National Trust, free for members). Lyme Regis fills up quickly in summer — arrive early or use the park and ride.
From Dorchester: A35 west to Charmouth/Lyme Regis (approx. 25 miles, 35 mins). From Exeter: A35 east (approx. 30 miles, 45 mins). Lyme Regis has no railway station — the nearest is Axminster (5 miles, with bus connections).
The Cobb in Lyme Regis is accessible on the lower level. Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre is fully accessible. The Golden Cap walk involves steep, uneven paths — not suitable for wheelchairs.
Year-round for fossils and the Cobb. Golden Cap is best in spring and summer for wildflowers. Avoid school holidays in Lyme Regis — the town and car parks fill up quickly.
Dogs: Dogs welcome on all beaches in this area. The Anchor Inn and most pubs are dog-friendly. Dogs must be on leads on the cliff paths. Charmouth beach allows dogs year-round.
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