The Guardhouse
39713 miles W of Bridport / Sleeps 7 + 2 cots*
7 Nights from £855
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearest pub
The Anchor Inn Seatown (40 yards)
Fresh produce from both land and sea, this place has a good reputation. Local suppliers and local inspiration ensure the spirit of Dorset shines through. Plus the setting is pretty special.
Mrs Rudd October 2020
Evening meal
A nice meal but no wine list provided- we ordered prosecco and were not told it was £29 a bottle so this was disappointing
Nearest beach
Seatown Beach (150 yards)
A privately-owned beach, Seatown Beach sits to the east of Golden Cap. Backed by soaring cliffs, the beach is a popular spot for fossil hunters looking to find prizes hidden within the shingle. With a steep shelf and no lifeguards on duty, swimming is not advised, however the beach offers a lovely spot to sit and watch the waves rumble and roll along the shore.
September 2009
A favourite fossil hunting spot. Apparently there are beds of fossilised brittle starfish nearby as well as beds of belemnites. There's a free car park by the beach and you can walk up Golden Cap from here too, Dorset's highest spot, where the views are amazing.
Nearest walk
Golden Cap (¾ mile)
Hailed as one of the Ramblers 'Top 50 walking routes to Britain’s best views', the Golden Cap which is the highest cliff on the south coast of England, offers stunning views from its 191 metre summit. During your holiday we highly recommend a walk from either Charmouth or Seatown along the coastal foot path or through Langdon woods to the top of the Golden Cap. Once you’re there relax and enjoy the stunning views along the Jurassic coast.
Read our blog of the quick walk up the Golden Cap.
Mr Harris May 2021
Dave Harris
Spectacular. Not a sunny day, however the views are incredible.
Mr Marsland September 2019
The view
A must for the views either side, leave to a clear sunny day though.
Mr Ludnow January 2014
Stunning Views
I love this place, the breathtaking views down across the coast are amazing, it is worth taking a picnic, take your time and enjoy the view. I followed this walk http://www.classic.co.uk/nas/classic-blog/guest-experience-a-cheat%E2%80%99s-walk-to-golden-cap-155.html
Mrs Swainston July 2012
Misty & no View
We set out to walk but unfortunately when we go to the top of the hill it was very misty and no views to be had which was disappointing so sorry for low rating. Also we found some of the footpaths were nothing more than mud baths with no way to get around other than to cling on to fern stems while balancing on tufts of none muddy grass.
Nearest town
Seatown (150 yards)
Easy to get to off the A35 between Lyme Regis and Bridport, it's worth a trip to experience a smuggler's way of life in your descent down to the beach. Spy abandoned loot in the foot rocks of the Golden Cap from your stronghold at the Anchor Inn as you sift through the day's fossil pickings.
Also nearby
The George Inn (¾ mile)
Enjoy a (not so) swift pint by the cosy log fire in winter or out in the patio garden in summer at this 17th Century thatched country inn. Lunch and dinner menus include locally sourced seafood and meats. You can enjoy a locally brewed pint of Palmers ale while the kids play on the giant Jenga. Booking is advisable in summer.
Mr Selby October 2021
Good food and excellent service.
Well maintained pub with excellent food and service. The decor is attractive and spacious.
Mr Marsland September 2019
Great food
Great food and friendly staff
Mrs Butler September 2017
The George
Welcoming pub, tasty food. dogs are accommodated in bar areas. Advised to book for Sun lunch.
Mr Grainger August 2016
Superb!
The first thing that strikes you about the George is the friendly welcome from the staff nothing is too much trouble, they welcome dogs with open arms.
The food is excellent and good value for money and the Palmers' ales are a delight, be brave and try the "georgeous" ploughman's it is huge and gorgeous!
Mrs Walker September 2011
Excellent pub food. Thursday night is pizza night and its advisable to book.
Mrs Penney January 2009
welcoming with excellent food
Often in the area and find the George welcoming and reliable for a good meal, be it a bar snack or something more substantial, highly recemmended.
January 2009
Sunday Roast at The George
After a breathtaking walk along the spectacular Jurassic Coast on a Sunday afternoon there is nothing more needed than a fabulous Sunday roast. We were a little late in arriving at The George however and when everywhere else had turned us away The George were very friendly and provided a well needed refuel stop before continuing our walk. Traditional and cosy atmosphere, in a pretty thatched pub, good food, beer and service.
November 2008
Great all-rounder
Great food served here, with a huge choice to choose from and a good selection of Palmers ales. The staff and proprietor are very friendly and make you feel very welcome. As well as the bar/drinking area and restaurant there is a lovely snug with an open fire for cooler days/nights. Would definitely recommend.
Charmouth West Beach (3 ½ miles)
Charmouth West Beach runs the mile and a half from the mouth of the river Char all the way to Lyme Regis. Although hammering at the cliffs is not allowed, the shores of Charmouth West Beach are well known for their fossils and often keen-eyed visitors are rewarded with a treat. With the gentle slope of the beach and natural sea pools forming in certain conditions the beach lends itself nicely to paddling and swimming. A heritage centre, cafe and shops are nearby, although there are no lifeguards on duty.
August 2019
Charmouth beach
Lovely not too busy beach, such fun finding fossils, beautiful sand when the tide is out, and great rock pools
Miss Battrick July 2017
Lovely beach, brilliant for fossil hunting
Mrs Avis January 2010
Take a fossil hunting guided walk or boat trip. No sand but plenty to keep the kids amused.
November 2009
The hours seem to have a habit of slipping by while you're wandering along hunting for fossils on this stretch of coast. The kids love the excitement of finding an ammonite or debating the authenticity of possible 'dinosaur bones'. Great way to spend an afternoon.
The Jurassic Coast (3 ¾ miles)
It would be remiss not to mention the pleasures of walking the Jurassic Coast here; a good way to combine a little exercise with a history lesson is to join one of the organised Fossil Walks from Charmouth.
Mrs Swainston July 2012
Charmouth Beach & Fossil Hunting
Had two good walks down there from Stone Barrow Lodge, the first time we walked down the right hand side of the beach and collected many unusual pieces of drift wood.The second time we walked the left hand beach and found lot of fossils.Not knowing what to look for and no tools to search the clay slides we meandered to the shoreline and hey presto found a fossil being washed by the incoming tide, we then went on to find many more, all quite small but some perfect specimens. Easy to spot in the water/sand as they were in pyrite which made then stand out from the other stones and pebbles, some have a Bronze tinge and some a rusty coating. It later turns out we were in just the right place, on the shoreline and a few hundred yards from the river (which is apparently the best place to find them). Have to say the tide got us most of the time but an enjoyable time nevertheless.
Mrs Alexander June 2011
Charmouth and the delights of fossil hunting!
One of the best beaches to try your luck at fossil hunting. We found the best way was as the tide was ebbing - you are more likely to find ammonites washed up on the beach - you just need a good eye and a lot of patience! Other fossils are found in the clay which has subsided from the cliff face. The excitement of finding a fossil for the first time (young or old) is an experience you will never forget and will want to do time and time again!
Mrs Avis January 2010
World Heritage Coast
So many delightful coastal resorts and quiet beaches, great cliff walking - with a bus service to get you back to your start point and car .
Hive Beach (4 miles)
Take in the views and let the salty sea air whip your worries away. Found near Burton Bradstock, Hive Beach is a sweeping sandy strip backed by regal golden cliffs. With parking nearby and a celebrated café, Hive Beach is a lovely destination for a day's wandering and relaxing. Eagle-eyed visitors may even be so lucky to spot some fossils hidden along the beach.
March 2020
Fantastic waves,
This beach, even on a windy march day was spectacular and blew away the cobwebs and was very invigorating. Food in the Hive Cafe was great too.
Helen August 2010
Hive Beach Cafe serves superb food suitable for all the family from an informal premises right on the beach. Get there early as it's very popular, but even when busy the service is usually reasonably quick.
Mrs Evans July 2009
Brilliant place; so popular you may have to wait! Food is more top-class restaurant quality than cafe.
Charmouth (3 ½ miles)
One of the many gateways to the Jurassic Coast, Charmouth is a bustling coastal village set on the Heritage Coast and is one of the most popular places to go fossiling. Although being a popular tourist destination Charmouth has kept its friendly village feel and is an ideal location for a traditional family holiday.
Miss Hamshere August 2012
A lovely seaside spot. There are several cafes on the front serving up basic but good value food, and most importantly ice cream. Good parking. The dunes behind the beach make for excellent kite flying. You can enjoy a walk all the way down the beach to Lyme Regis when the tide is right, and the fossil hunting is just amazing - you can't help but come back with pocketfuls of ammonites and other prehistoric goodies.
Mrs Swainston July 2012
Has a handy Monday market
Very close to the cottage (at the bottom of Stone Barrow Lane) there is a Monday market that sells a wide range of goods from fresh meats, breads, Thai food, tools, pet foods, clothing etc.
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