Information about Lyme Regis

Lyme Regis is a coastal town and fairly popular seaside resort due to its harbour wall which is full of character and played an important feature in the Jane Austen novel 'Persuasion'. Historically, Lyme is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Royal Charter was granted by King Edward I in 1284, with the addition of 'Regis' to the town's name. This charter was confirmed by Elizabeth I in 1591.

Housed in the old Congregational church, in which Mary Anning was baptised and would have worshipped, the Dinosaurland Museum provides unique displays on the geology and palaeontology of the area. It has many rare fossils, not just from the Jurassic Coast and provides an insight into the time-scale of the evolution of life on earth.

The town has a busy calendar of annual events, including the Lyme Regatta, The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival (in conjunction with the London Natural History Museum) and Mary Anning Day. The traditional conger cuddling event takes place during Lifeboat Week. The Lyme Regatta is an event which takes place over a whole week, during August and is organised by a committee of local volunteers. Funds are raised for local charities. The Summer Regatta includes outdoor films, parades, games such as egg tosses, events such as rubber duck races on the River Lym, and fireworks.

Photographs of Lyme Regis