Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis is a very attractive seaside town, originally a port, in
Dorset, 9 miles from Bridport.
The "Regis" suffix reflects the Royal charter granted by Edward I in 1284.
It has a dramatic setting, with landslips and cliffs on each side of the town, and the enormous number of fossils that have been found in the cliffs has led to a long stretch of Devon and Dorset coast, including Sidmouth, becoming known as the Jurassic Coast.
The little River Lym still surges powerfully into the sea through the gap between the cliffs.
Mary Anning started the wide interest in fossils in 1811, when at the age of 12 she discovered an ichthyosaurus.
The Cobb is the name of the artificial harbour, and specifically of the handsome structure which partly confines the water. This was built as an island around 1300, and only joined to the mainland in 1756.
It is the best known feature of Lyme Regis, featuring in John Fowles' novel "The French Lieutenant's Woman", and there is an enduring image of Meryl Streep on The Cobb in the film. It also features in Jane Austen's "Persuasion".
The Cobb is a short distance from the town itself, and a small settlement has grown up around it.
Dinosaurland is a museum devoted to the local fossils, and many of these can be purchased in the shops.
The parish church dates from the mediaeval period, and has a 17th century canopied pulpit, as well as a fine gallery. The porch was converted from the nave of the original Norman church.
The Town Museum contains many items of local history. John Fowles was a strong supporter.
The town has plenty of Georgian houses and pretty cottages.
In 1588 the first skirmish between Drake and the Spanish Armada took place in the bay.
In 1644, during the Civil War, the town withstood a two month Royalist siege.
The Duke of Monmouth landed at The Cobb in 1685, at the start of his ill fated revolution against James II, which ended at the Battle of Sedgmoor. Twelve of his local supporters were hanged here.
People born in Lyme Regis include Eleanor Coade, inventor of the Coade stone; and Thomas Coram, founder of the Foundling Hospital in London.
The novelist John Fowles, born at Leigh, came to live in Lyme Regis.