Tips for Lyme Regis area?

[mockorangey]

We're going to Dorset for a week in August, staying near Lyme Regis. We have a large family group with kids ranging from 1-7. Does anyone have any suggestions for good activities? I know most of the beaches nearby are pebbly, but are there any that are sandy or any good for rock pooling? Any other kids activities nearby, like pony riding? TIA

We like Axe Valley Wildlife Park. There's loads to do including hand feeding the free-range birds, handling a snake or a tarantula or meeting the armadillo, zebra, lemur or flamingos to name just a few! There are various play areas all over the park.

I’d also recommend Pecorama www.pecorama.co.uk There’s a mini steam railway which is about a 17 minute ride. There's also an expansive interactive model railway exhibition, outdoor play area with pirate ship etc... and a train-themed indoor soft play centre with a separate indoor play area for children aged 1-3. On a good day, the stunning gardens are great for sitting in and enjoying the fabulous view. Smaller people in particular will enjoy finding the Secret Garden and exploring the Sun, Moon and Rainbow Gardens and the Shell Grotto.

Nearby, Seaton Tramway is a good day out. They operate narrow gauge heritage trams alongside the river Axe estuary through 3 miles of countryside and 2 nature reserves. The tram journey takes about half an hour, and they operate open toppers, or enclosed, depending on weather conditions. Look out for seasonal events throughout the year, including The Dinosaur Train, from the creator of the Muppets! Pushchairs can be accommodated on most of the trams.

Lyme Regis Aquarium is a small family run aquarium which is very interactive. One of the most popular activities is hand feeding the very tame mullet. You can also hold a live starfish, touch a crab and a giant lobster.

Lyme has a sandy beach and another that is good for rockpooling. The aquarium is tiny so we didn’t think it was good value. The town museum is good and there’s also a private dinosaur museum on Coombe Street. Would agree that Pecorama is a good day out.

Buy cheap scuba shoes - a must for paddling/ swimming at the stoney end of the beach. There is a sandy beach too - though this gets busy.

The donkey sanctuary near Sidmouth is nice.
Enjoy!

Antonios if you like Italian food!

Both the pizza shops in town are excellent and ideal for a cook free dinner.

Bridport on a Saturday for the outdoor market and get a nice sandwich from Bellas.

Charmouth for some serious fossil hunting and there is a fossil museum there for free.

Weymouth has a huge sandy beach, it’s a bit Blackpool though. However I can recommend the Crab Shack for food.

You can drive to West Bay and do a brilliant cliff walk, infact there are lots of cliff walks all along the coast.

Lyme is getting really terrible for snapping seagulls so be careful with food on the beach. Go fishing on a boat from the cobb, great day out. I think best fish and chips are from Lyme Bay chippy. But it can be slow. The Harbour inn is reliably good. Hix oyster bar too.

Bicton gardens, take a picnic and swimming things as streams to play in.