Charmouth Beach

Description:

Charmouth is a mixture of shingle and sandy beach. It is located off the A35 between Bridport  and Lyme Regis. There are three car parks where there is a charge.

The beach is good for families, as it is sheltered, with sand, but swimming can be dangerous, so care must be taken. There are beach huts for hire and a smart promenade to take a stroll.

There are two cafes, a fossil shop, the Heritage Coast Centre  and a clothes shop. The toilets are just up from the beach.

Charmouth is on the local bus routes.

Dogs are not permitted on the west side of the beach in the early summer, but can be exercised on the east side. After July 1, dogs are only allowed on the east side before 9am and after 6pm.

Charmouth is excellent for fossil hunting. It has been a mecca with fossil enthusiasts for over 250 years, but now relics can only be taken from the beach, not the cliffs for safety reasons.

Places to visit on a rainy day are:-

Charmouth Heriage Coast Centre  on the beach. Discover fossils and wonders of the sea, displays, guided walks, fossil hunting. Entry to the centre is free.  Tel: 01297 560772.

Forde Abbey, Chard, Somerset. A Cistercian monastery founded in 1140, has been a family home since the 17th century, and has 30 acres of gardens. The house is open Tuesday, Friday, Sunday, Holiday Mondays, April to October, 12  to 4pm. Gardens daily 10am to 4.30pm.  Tel: 01460 221290.