Mary Anning became famous for her many significant fossil discoveries in Lyme which was a most unusual pursuit for a woman back in the 1880’s
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Things To Do:
- Each year Lyme holds its "Fossil Festival". For 2009 this includes 'Darwin 200' celebrations. See the events section for more information.
- Visit the Lyme Regis Museum and join an organised Fossil Walk with the museum's own Geologist, Paddy Howe. The walk lasts around 2 hours. Cost £8.00, Seniors £6.00 & Children £5.00. Book in advance by phoning: (01297) 44 33 70. Visit Lyme Regis Museum Fossil Walks for more information.
Location Map:
Lyme Regis, sometimes referred to as the 'Pearl of Dorset', offers much to the casual visitor and seasoned dweller alike. As a small seaside town it stands to far west of the county and boasts of three main attractions; the beauty of its coast, its memory of Jane Austen, and its Cobb.
The 'Jurasic Coast" is a 95 mile stretch of coastline which is formally recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty" and is a World Heritage Site. To view a map of the Jurassic Coast click:- Jurassic Map
The Cobb is a quay some 600ft long made of stone which has evolved over the ages in both construction and purpose. The Cobb is perhaps most recognised in Jane Austen's novel Persausion and for Meryl Streep standing on it in the movie "The French Lieutenant's Woman".
Lyme has an endearing collection of quaint houses and buildings that meander about. It was an inspiration for Whistler, the artist, who found the subject for a painting of a smithy amongst the town's streets.
Visitors are frequently drawn towards Lyme's most sought after possessions; those buried in the rocks: fossils! Mary Anning was a local girl who found the first ichthyosaurus known to science. Incredibly she only received £23.00 for the sale of the fossil to the British Museum despite the fact it had taken her 10 years to extract it. Lyme is famous for its mudstone and Jurassic shale.
Find Local Accommodation:
| Abbotsbury Swannery |
| Arne Nature Reserve |
| Margaret Green Animal Rescue |
| Monkey World |
| Abbotsbury Children's Farm |
| Sea Life |
| The Blue Pool |
| Sherborne Castle |
| Christchurch Castle |
| Corfe Castle |
| Lulworth Castle |
| Highcliffe Castle |
| Portland Castle |
| Maiden Castle |
| Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show |
| Bournemouth Air Festival |
| Dorset Steam Fair |
| Lyme Regis |
| Poole Quay |
| Hengistbury Head |
| Anvi Point Lighthouse |
| Sherborne Abbey |
| Shaftesbury Abbey |
| Kingston Lacy |
| Christchurch Priory |
| Athelhampton House |
| Wolfeton House |
| Lyme Regis Philpot Museum |
| Bovington Tank Museum |
| Royal Signals Museum |
| Russell-Cotes Museum |
| Corfe Model Village |
| Adventure Wonderland |