Places to go near Lyme Regis

[MegBusset]

DC have requested to go to Lyme Regis for our next holiday. I know all about the fossils but other than that not much about the area - can anyone recommend places to visit around there, if we were there for a week or so?

DC will be 11 and 13, they like longish walks, beaches, museums, NT places and generally interesting places they can explore / run around and let off steam.

Accommodation ideas also welcome - probably a cottage with a decent garden and walking distance to a good pub!

The restored Town mill buildings, which surround a cobbled courtyard, house a working flour mill, as well as a milliner, a seamstress, a pottery with two potters working inside, a micro-brewery and a cheesemonger...so there is lots to see and learn about.
Lyme Rib Rides is a company which offers high speed rigid inflatable boat trips. They have a range of trips available, from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium is a small family run aquarium which is very interactive. One of the most popular activities is hand feeding the very tame mullet. Kids can lower a clenched hand containing food into the giant tanks and the fish gently suck and prod at their fingers and thumbs. You can also hold a starfish, crabs and a giant lobster.
Forde Abbey Historical House and Gardens is a lovely working, family estate,
There is a fantastic children’s pack. You can also have a go at Letterboxing where you follow a trail around the garden to find the hidden boxes and stamps to mark the trail map, based on the famous Dartmoor letterboxes. There are also lots of hidden places to explore in the informal gardens.
Beer Heights Light Railway and Pecorama www.pecorama.co.uk is a fun day out, especially if they like trains and model railways.

Hugh fearnley whittingstall’s restaurant in Axminster. It’s lovely and not that expensive. Durdle door.

Donkey sanctuary, monkey world about 50 mins away
West bay for crabbing
Eat a lot of fudge
Enjoy the fresh sea food
Charmouth for fossil hunting
Traditional seaside day at Weymouth Donkeys etc plus sea life centre

Lyme has lots of things going on at different times of the year. It’s Regatta week at the beginning of August :so many activities you’ll have enough to do in Lyme itself. Check out tourist information to see when other special events are. The Marine Theatre has great shows. You can do a guided fossil walk and Charmouth is worth a visit. You can walk along the beach at low tide. If you’re energetic you can walk the 8 miles or so along the Undercliff to Seaton and catch the bus back. Seaton also has a tourist tramway. For accommodation Lyme Bay Holidays are the main agents for cottages. Parking can be a pain so I’d book somewhere with its own parking. It’s easier to drive out of Lyme to other places than to drive in and find somewhere to park. There’s the town museum and also a private dinosaur museum in Lyme.

I thought the donkey sanctuary was a bit drab, nor that I was expecting fireworks. I quite liked Charmouth Beach, and Seatown has a pub with good food, with Golden Cap just beside. West Bay isn't far either. And Bridport is worth a visit too. I'd also recommend Rousden Village Bakery. It's in a 1960s service station/garage a few miles west of Lyme. Some people don't get on with the set up but it worked for me. The owner is a bit brusque but the food is great, all with a classic 1960s soul soundtrack.

This is a must, been twice he guarantees every child will find a fossil, we had a bucket full, really nice chap too
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g315962-d2254687-r138355887-Fossil_Hunting_Walks-Lyme_Regis_Dorset_England.html