Charmouth is famous for its stunning Jurassic coastline and it's World Heritage status. The village centre has several shops including a butcher, chemist, craft shop, fossil shop, hairdresser, tennis courts, two pubs and a church.
Places to go things to see
The beaches slope gently so are safe for children. At low tide, the beach reveals a string of rock pools full of sea life providing hours of fun for children. Many choose this time to hunt for fossils amongst the rocks and along the waters edge.
The Heritage centre on the sea front is full of tips on how to safely look for fossils with educational touch screen multimedia and still life displays. If you don't have your own rock hammer, you can hire one from the fossil shop for a small fee.
Throughout the main season Charmouth market is just a short walk away from the park there are regular markets during the week at Axminster, Bridport and Dorcester.
Lyme Regis is 3 miles from Charmouth and if you don't feel up to the walk, there's a regular bus service from the Park entrance.
Follow the link to see the live Lyme Regis web cam. www.lymeregis.org/webcam
Explore the World Famous Jurassic Coastline
- BY BUS: The award winning Coast X53 is the perfect way to visit many of the main attractions along the Coast.
- BY FOOT: The South West Coast Path National Trail is over 1000km long much of it maintained by the National Trust.
- BY BOAT: The best way to see the coast is from the sea. Boat and fishing trips can be taken from Lyme Regis, Beer and West Bay.
Lyme Regis, West Bay and Devon
Historic Lyme Regis is only 3 miles away with its sandy beach, aquarium, artist studios, unique gift shops, quaint tea rooms, trendy harbour side cafes, bars and picturesque marina bounded by its famous Cobb. There is also a sailing school, bowling green and 18 hole golf course.
West Bay and its Jurassic pier is 6 miles to the east where Chesil Beach starts and runs 17 miles to Isle of Portland! Take an exhilarating ride onboard a fast RIB along the coast!
Cross the border into Devon for some more spectacular scenery and beaches such as Sidmouth. Beer is home to some famous caves and is just a short drive along the coast where you can hire a self drive motor boat for cruising or fishing. Not forgetting the nearby old market town of Axminster. Originally made famous by the carpet factory but more recently known as being the home of TV chef Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's River Cottage shop, and Home Farm nearby that run various day and evening courses throughout the year.
As well as Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, Devon and Dorset are the base for other famous chefs such as Mark Hix with his popular Oyster and Fish restaurant located in the idyllic Lyme Regis, and Lesley Waters cookery school located in the beautiful Dorset countryside near Dorchester.
