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Itinerary #1 - Lyme Regis to Bridport

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Itinerary #1 - Lyme Regis to Bridport 4 Crown copyright 5 3 6 7 11 2 1 8 10 9 12 Lyme Regis to Bridport a centre for ropemaking. To- Lyme Regis to The western extremity of West day, along with its harbour at Bridport Dorset includes some of the West Bay, it is a vibrant town most spectacular coastal and with many independent shops inland scenery in the whole and a strong cultural scene. 1. Lyme Regis 132 county. The Jurassic Coast The Cobb 132 includes cliffs, undercliffs, Charmouth (popn. 2011, The Spittles 134 beautiful beaches and sweeping 1,352) has a particularly fine Undercliff 134 views. Inland, narrow hedge- beach which is especially good 2. Charmouth 136 lined lanes wander through for fossil hunting. The Herit- Heritage Coast Centre 136 lush undulating farmland. age Coast Centre here is a must Stonebarrow Hill 136 for everyone interested in fos- 3. Wootton Fitzpaine 137 Lyme Regis (popn. 2011, sils and dinosaurs. 4. Coney’s Castle 140 3,671) is a quintessential little Lambert’s Castle 140 English seaside resort, nestling Other villages include 5. Marshwood Vale 140 in the shelter of a steep-sided Wootton Fitzpaine, Moreco- 6. Whitchurch 138 valley. With its ancient wind- belake, Whitchurch, Seaton, 7. Chideock 138 ing streets, small harbour shel- Chideock and Eype. All have 8. Golden Cap 138 tered by The Cobb, seafront, their own sites of interest, nat- St Gabriel’s Chapel 137 many interesting shops, cin- ural or historical. This seem- Langdon Hill 137 ema and theatre it offers much ingly remote corner of Dorset 9. Seatown 139 to the visitor. is in fact, brimming with things Thorncombe Beacon 147 to see and do. Eype’s Mouth 147 Bridport (popn. 2011, 13,568) 10. Bridport 142 is larger, but has an equally long The coast can be accessed from 11. Colmer’s Hill 139 history. Built along the old numerous places here, offering Symondsbury 139 Roman road to Exeter above a wide range of possibilites for 12. West Bay 146 the confluence of the Rivers circular walks. Brit and Asker, it has long been Dorset Guide Book 1st edition by Charles Tait 330 Lyme Regis to Bridport and Inland ORDNANCE SURVEY 1:50,000 & 1:25,000 MAPS OS Landranger Map 193 Taunton & Lyme Regis OS Explorer Map 116 Lyme Regis & Bridport Lyme Regis to Bridport 1. Lyme Regis (page 132) is an all-year tourism Lambert’s Castle (page 140) is about 0.8mi (1km) destination. In summer the beach is great for family further north. This extensive hillfort is covered with swimming and seaside activities, while in winter mature trees, many mysteriously shaped, and offers storms huge waves break over The Cobb. There are expansive views over Marshwood Vale events and festivals throughout the year. Lyme is 5. Marshwood Vale (page 140) is largely unpopu- a delightful place to explore at a slow pace on foot. lated but is criss-crossed by many narrow, hedge- The Spittles (page 134) are the eroding cliffs to the lined lanes which are interesting to explore on foot east of Lyme Regis. A new sea wall and promen- or by bicycle. ade has been built to protect the eastern part of the 6. Whitchurch (page 138) is a small village on the town from subsidence. It forms part of a fine 1.5mi south side of Marshwood Vale with a fascinating (2km) beach walk to Charmouth. This should only old church which is well worth visiting for its unique be attempted on a falling tide. Shrine and interesting headstones. Undercliffs (page 134) form a National Nature Re- 7. Chideock (page 138) has many beautiful serve for 7mi (11km) from Lyme Regis to Axmouth. thatched houses, but is marred by the busy A35. An undulating path passes through a magical world For those on a long circular walk, it offers two ex- of landslips, with woodland, streams, small valleys cellent pubs. and areas of grassland. Please note that this route is 8. Golden Cap (page 138) can be reached by small sometimes closed due to new landslips. lanes and footpaths from Langdon Hill, Chideock 2. Charmouth Beach (page 136), along with Mon- or Seatown, 1mi (1.5km). At 191m it is the highest mouth and The Spittles Beaches, is perhaps the best point on the south coast and offers spectacular pan- place to look for fossils on the Jurassic Coast. The oramic views of Lyme Bay. best time is at low tide after a storm has washed out 9. Seatown (page 139) is about 900m south of new landslips. Ammonites and belemnites are easy Chideock down a narrow lane. With its shingle to find but Ichthyosaur teeth and bones may also beach, spectacular cliffs and fine old pub it is a good get revealed. The gently shelving sand and shingle stopping place. There is a fine clifftop walk to West beach is excellent for swimming. The shore can be Bay from here 3mi (5km), passing Thorncombe walked all the way to Seatown at low tide 4mi (6km). Beacon (page 147) and Eype’s Mouth (page 147). St Gabriel’s Steps give access to Golden Cap and 10. Bridport (page 142), with its wide main streets Stonebarrow Hill from the beach 2mi (3km) east and many old buildings, is well worth exploring on of Charmouth. foot. There are many independent shops, pubs and The Heritage Coast Centre (page 136) above the restaurants as well as a vibrant cultural scene. Char estuary has hands-on collections of fossils and 11. Colmer’s Hill (page 139) is a prominent conical runs fossil-collecting tours on the beach. landmark topped with a few pines. It can be reached Stonebarrow Hill (page 136) is about 1.5mi from from Symondsbury or North Chideock and offers the centre of Charmouth up Stonebarrow Lane. an excellent panoramic view. From here paths lead to Golden Cap 1.5mi (2km). Symondsbury (page 139), just northwest of 3. Wootton Fitzpaine (page 137) is famous for Bridport, has interesting old buildings, now reno- its displays of Wild Daffodils, Cowslips, Wood vated. Mysterious old hollow ways go into the Anenomes, Bluebells, Green-winged and other countryside from here into a world seemingly far Orchids in springtime. The meadows off Westover away. Hill, Thistle Hill woodlands and the path to 12. West Bay (page 146), Bridport’s harbour, is 2mi Charmouth are the best places to look. (3km) from the town centre. Spectacular clifftop 4. Coney’s Castle (page 140) is on Long Lane 1mi walks go west to Seatown and Charmouth, or east (1.5km) north of Wootton Fitzpaine. This small to Burton Bradstock. The beach is shingle and hard Iron Age hillfort is famous for its drifts of Bluebells to walk far on. Stalls sell delicious fish and chips, in spring and autumn colours later in the year. while there are excellent pubs and restaurants. 331 Dorset Guide Book 1st edition by Charles Tait.
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