Dorset/Devon

[Bugsy73]

Hi, tentatively looking at holidays for August this year. Not going to risk (and can't afford!) going abroad so thinking of Dorset.
We've never been but Lyme Regis looks lovely.
Trying to find somewhere to stay that is central but with parking is proving tricky. Has anyone been that can recommend anywhere?
Or is it best to stay a bit further out? What is Beer like? Or Seaton?
We have 15, 13 and 11yr old.
All suggestions gratefully received.

Beer and seaton are charming but tiny. Sidmouth is stunning too.

I think with teens I'd look at swanage/Poole/Bournemouth/Weymouth area as they have amazing beaches but also shops and amusements and activities.

If you’re not opposed to a holiday park, then Dorset has two of the best (IMO!)
Rockley Park is on Poole Harbour and it has a top watersports centre, indoor pool plus direct access to a sandy beach.
Warmwell is near Weymouth and it has an indoor pool with a wave machine, plus an artificial ski slope.

Thanks. I'll keep looking. I should probably leave it a month or two to see how the land is lying but I'm impatient and I want something to look forward to...

We took our two 14 year olds to Bournemouth last year. Had a great time staying in a hotel with a pool.

This Fossil walk is fantastic, we went twice
www.lymeregisfossilsforsale.co.uk/fossil-walks.html

I've been to Lyme twice and we love it. The first time we stayed in a flat by the Cobb (harbour) which had parking in a car park just up the road.

The second time we stayed in one of the terraced houses which has a (raised) garden on the sandy beach part. It also came with parking and I think was called something like Captains House. It was expensive but lovely to sit on the terrace and watch the kids play football when the beach was clear.

Parking is an issue in Lyme so if you can find somewhere in town with parking, I'd go for it. My friend had a lovely house on the estate in Rousdon but reckoned you had to be in Lyme by 9 to park in the school holidays.

We found lots to do for the kids around the same age - there's a crazy golf (by the Hix restaurant), the fossil hunting tours were fun (buy your fossil hammer before you come!), crabbing on the harbour and mackerel fishing on a boat tour. The beach is nice, not huge and leave the boogie boards at home as it's like a mill pond. There's also lots of nice restaurants.

Corfe Castle was our base in Dorset. Lovely village with atmospheric ruins and a short drive to all the lovely Jurassic Coast sites (Durdle Door, etc).

Thanks all. We've managed to find somewhere in Lyme Regis with parking! Hilltop cottage, booked it through Toad Hall cottages. Hopefully all will be well for us to go.

Have fun, I'm feeling a bit envious...!