Charmouth & Lyme Regis Circular
Jurassic Coast Walk
Region - Jurassic Coast
County/Area - Dorset
Author - Lou Johnson
Length - 6.0 miles / 9.8 km Ascent - 900 feet / 273 metres
Time - 3 hours 50 minutes Grade - easy/mod
Maps
Ordnance Survey Explorer 116 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Anquet OS Explorer 116 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Ordnance Survey Landranger 193 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Anquet OS Landranger 193 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Walk Route Description
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This walk starts from the popular seaside resort of Lyme Regis and using a section of the South West Coast Path follows the coast eat to Charmouth. The coast path on this section has been diverted due to a significant landslip and is not as attractive as the original route. The return is along the beach.
The start is the car park by the harbour in Lyme Regis (grid ref. SY337916). On busy days this is likely to be full and other car parks in the town should be sued. Alternatively the walk can be started at Charmouth where there is less pressure on parking.
From the car park walk east along the promenade. A visit to the Cobb will be included at the end of the walk. The promenade is wide and offers a good view east along the Jurassic Coast of Dorset with the highest point at Golden Cap in view. Reaching the clock tower, leave the front and bear right to follow the main road uphill towards Charmouth. The South West Coast Path is clearly signed and after passing a coach park you leave the main road and head across fields to reach a wood. The path is clearly signed and although rather convoluted it leads you out onto a side road (grid ref. SY344932). Bear right onto this road and continue to reach the main road. Shortly after this junction the path continues across a golf course leading down at the other side to another road (grid ref. SY350941). Turn right along this road to a roundabout. Bear right and walk into Charmouth. The route is clearly signed right down to the seafront.
The remainder of the route follows the beach. All that is required is to turn right when you reach the sea. It is imperative that you start when the tide is going out. Tide times are available at local information offices. At times it is quite hard going along the beach although as a diversion you can search for fossils as this is one the best places in the UK for this activity. Reaching the end of the beach the path leads up onto the main promenade at Lyme Regis. Walk the full length of the promenade and all that remains is to continue along the Cobb to get a wide ranging panorama of the walk you have just completed.
Other walks nearby
Walk 2771 | Lyme Regis & Uplyme Circular | easy/mod | 5.5 miles |
Walk 1551 | Seatown and Charmouth via Golden Cap | easy/mod | 5.0 miles |
Walk 2580 | Golden Cap & Charmouth | easy/mod | 5.0 miles |
Walk 1549 | Golden Cap from Seatown | easy/mod | 4.0 miles |
Walk 1795 | Beer & Branscombe Circular | easy/mod | 5.5 miles |
Walk 2391 | West Bay & Burton Cliff | easy | 4.5 miles |
Walk 3629 | Eggardon Hill from Loders | moderate | 8.4 miles |
Walk 3265 | Eggardon Hill from Powerstock | easy/mod | 6.3 miles |
Walk 2494 | West Bexington & Abbotsbury Circular | moderate | 7.7 miles |
Walk 2279 | Salcombe Regis & Weston Mouth | easy/mod | 5.1 miles |
Recommended Books & eBooks
South West Coast Path Map Booklet - Minehead to St Ives
Map of the northern section of the 630 mile (1014km) South West Coast Path National Trail. Covers the trail from Minehead to St Ives along the north Devon and Cornish coastline. This convenient and compact booklet of Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps shows the route, providing all of the mapping you need to walk the trail in either direction.
More information
The South West Coast Path
Guidebook to walking the entire South West Coast Path National Trail. The route runs for 630 miles from Minehead to Poole along the north Devon, Cornish, south Devon and Dorset coastline. Divided into 45 stages, this long-distance coastal trek could be completed within 4 weeks, or walked in sections. Guide includes maps and essential information.
More information
Mountain Weather
Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.