Dorset

For as long as I can remember we've been holidaying in Lyme Regis as a family. It's changed hugely over the last few years but we never get bored of our breaks down there. This year we stayed in Seaton which is about a 15min drive from Lyme.

The area is the famous Jurassic Coast which runs from Exmouth to Lyme Regis in Dorset and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its outstanding historical significance.

Here's a run down of what we got up and our recommendations.

Seaton

Seaton boasts a beautiful sea front with a pebble beach, there isn't much in the town but it gave us a great base for the surrounding areas.

Things to do - fish and chips on the beach from the infamous Frydays and a walk to Hideaway Cafe at the end of the promenade.  @thehideawayseaton https://www.thehideawayseaton.com

The Seaton tramway is always a good morning trip out through wetlands and the Axe Valley, at the end is Colyton, a sweet village and another antique centre.  https://www.tram.co.uk

Bridport

A market town surrounded by beautiful countryside, we always visit the market on a Saturday morning which is buzzing with local produce and market stalls.  Behind the high street there is the Art and Vintage Quarter, which you can completely loose yourself in, so many antiques and retro shops.

Stop off at the Red Brick Cafe for coffee or amazing healthy feasts @redbrickcafebridport https://www.redbrickcafebridport.co.uk

The Bull is also a regular hangout of ours for coffee and they also do the best pizzas in their garden area.  @thebullhotel https://www.thebullhotel.co.uk

Lyme Regis

Dubbed the pearl of Dorset, this has always been our go to place and doesn't disappoint but be warned it's extremely popular and won't deny the parking (or lack of!) is an issue. 

With the historic Cobb and safe beach for the kids it's a great place for families. Famous for its fossils, next to the Cobb Monmouth beach is a good starting point for hunting treasures.  Charmouth is also about a 10/15min drive from Lyme which is again great for fossil hunting.

Lyme is now full of cafes and eateries plus some great independent shops and galleries.

Hotel Alexander for a luxury escape with amazing views across the coastline.
@alexandrahotel_lymeregis  https://www.hotelalexandra.co.uk

The Town Mill - ancient watermill, set in the artisan quarter of Lyme Regis,  nestling around a cobbled courtyard, these restored mill buildings house a working flour watermill, as well as art galleries, a café, a silversmith, a seamstress, a pottery, seaweed art, a design agency and a micro-brewery.
@townmillbakery. https://www.townmill.org.uk

Beer

Probably my favourite spot, a quintessential English village with a stunning pebbled cove beach.  Surrounded by white chalk cliffs, the shingle beach is lined with fishing boats still bringing in their daily catches and is famous for its mackerel.

The water was crystal clear when we went, really cold but the kids happily paddled in it - although I would recommend beach/surf shoes as the pebbles are really hard to walk on barefooted! 

Other recommendations, for kids Pecorama is great. It's in Beer so we combined a morning on the beach and then Pecorama in the afternoon. Beautiful gardens and a tiny railway that the kids really enjoyed.

https://www.pecorama.co.uk

Until Next Year!