Walks around Lyme Regis

Lyme Regis is situated at the heart of the Jurassic Coast. It boasts breathtaking scenery and a special mystique, making it a sparkling resort for all seasons. Its historic Cobb and harbour are iconic features. Every year, Lyme Regis plays host to its famous fossil festival, which sees thousands of enthusiasts of all ages flock to the town.

Walking nearby from Charmouth to Chideock is likely to unearth a fossil or two! At Branscombe you can visit a restored mill and working forge at two National Trust properties. These are a selection of our favourite walks in the local area. 

  • Branscombe - 1.9 miles (3.0 km)

    The Sea Shanty in Branscombe Photographer Tony Velterop (2012 Photo Competition entry)
    Moderate

    A very short walk from Branscombe Mouth to the picturesque thatched village of Branscombe, where the National Trust maintains several delightful properties dating back at least two centuries. Visit the working forge and mill (check opening times), then enjoy a traditional cream tea in the Old Bakery tea-room. If you are feeling energetic after exploring the village, extend the route along the delightful valley behind, to the historic Hole House and Edge Barton (see the Hole House and Edge Barton Walk).

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  • Chideock to Charmouth - 5.4 miles (8.6 km)

    Running down from Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast
    Moderate

    From Charmouth take the bus to Chideock and walk back along a rollercoaster ride of a walk, with an optional detour around the highest peak of Golden Cap. The route travels high (and sometimes low!) along the edge of cliffs carved and sculpted by rain and sea over millions of years. At the foot of the cliffs nestle treasure troves of fossils brought down by frequent rockfalls. Scientists have been able to use these to give dates to various geological events, as well as piecing...

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  • Langdon Hill, Golden Cap & St Gabriel's Chapel - 4.5 miles (7.2 km)

    Golden Cap. Photographer S Curtis
    Challenging

    A walk through the woods on Langdon Hill, visiting the medieval hamlet of Stanton St Gabriel, now a handful of refurbished cottages and a ruined thirteenth century chapel. The landscape spread out around Langdon Hill is criss-crossed with ancient trackways as well as fields and hedgerows from medieval times, and the traditional farming methods used on National Trust land encourage a profusion of wildlife. Children will love the freedom of the open ground and the old lanes, as well as the forest paths and the...

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  • Stonebarrow Hill - 7.5 miles (12.0 km)

    Running down from Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast
    Challenging

    A demanding route  travelling high above the surrounding landscape, with tremendous views in all directions. It passes the remains of a medieval village, and later St Wite's Well, said to cure eye problems and other ailments. There is an optional detour around the back of the most strenuous section, over Golden Cap, as well as a shorter route over the top of Chardown Hill for those who don't mind some stretches of steep ascent.

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  • Thorncombe Beacon & Doghouse Hill - 4.3 miles (7.0 km)

    Jurassic Coast Photographer Will Hay (2012 Photo Competition entry)
    Moderate

    A rollercoaster route from Eype Mouth to Seatown, returning on inland paths. West Dorset's oldest human settlement was on Doghouse Hill, with a good lookout over the sea, and Thorncombe Beacon was one of the chain of beacon sites along the south coast used to warn of the approach of the Spanish Armada in 1588, with terrific coastal views of its own. The beach at Eype Mouth is popular with fossil-hunters, and the pub at Seatown was the haunt of the infamous smugglers of the...

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  • West Bay & Burton Bradstock - 5.3 miles (8.6 km)

    Burton Bradstock Cliffs. Photographer Piotr Piasecki, Wiltshire.
    Easy

    A walk from West Bay on the footpath through the golf course to Burton Bradstock, heading back along the coast. There are far-reaching views across the Devon coastline from the top of the high cliffs that played an important role in preparations for the D-Day Landings in the Second World War. 

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