The Old Manor House
41241.5 miles NE of Lyme Regis / Sleeps 10 + 2 cots
7 Nights from £1304
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearest pub
The George Inn (300 yards)
Set in the heart of Charmouth, the family and dog-friendly George Inn serves hearty, local food. As well as the generously sized outside seating area perfect for enjoying the sunshine, there is also a children’s play area and animal corner.
Nearest beach
Charmouth West Beach (½ mile)
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.
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.
Nearest walk
The Jurassic Coast (300 yards)
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 .
Nearest town
Charmouth (250 yards)
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.
Also nearby
Hix Oyster and Fish House (2 miles)
Overlooking the fishing port of Lyme Regis and The Cobb, Hix Oyster and Fish House is blessed with uninterrupted views of the Jurassic Coast. Simplicity of food is key here. The very best ingredients are used; make your choice from the blackboard of the day's landings and a small menu of house dishes. Award-winning restaurateur Mark Hix mastered his trade in London restaurants such as The Ivy. Just 45 covers means it is advisable to book.
Mrs James May 2013
Hix Oyster and Fish House
We ate at Hix twice during our week at Sea Glympse. The fish was delightful - one of the highlights was the grilled whole fish. Oysters were delicious. Staff very friendly. The first time we ate inside - the weather was not very good - and the second time we had lunch on the terrace and took Dusty our Jack Russell. Dusty was made very welcome and the waiter even brought her a bowl of water without us asking. There was nothing to criticize on either visit. Also, I was readily offered 10% discount when I mentioned that we were staying in a Classic cottage!
Anna H November 2012
Our Wedding Anniversary
Our visit to the HIX Oyster & Fish House proved to be much more than just a lovely Sunday lunch out. Two things struck us as soon as we walked in - Lyme Bay stretching out as far as the eye can see and the truly friendly atmosphere. Everyone was enjoying being there, staff and guests alike. It was very lovely and very unusual to chat naturally with the people sitting at the tables closest to ours. Some guests were local, some had driven for miles to treat a friend, it was our 29th wedding anniversary.
Then came the food - I am not a food critic but am determined to do justice to it! We started with a Hix House Cocktail to set the scene – Somerset cherries soaked in Apple Eau de Vie and topped up with Nyetimber – an English fizz to compete with most Champagnes. For starters my husband had the partridge on Yorkshire toast – yes it IS the Fish House but you can choose a locally reared beef steak too! – and I had deep fried sprats with watercress and caper mayonnaise ( even though we had already had the restaurant’s own smoked salmon with our cocktails ), then the most deliciously creamy House Fish Pie and the most incredible ‘real’ fish fingers on crushed fresh peas with mint. I didn’t know which wine to choose and so gave that responsibility to Assistant Manager Tom Cook who chose a gorgeous soft La Flor, Sauvignon Blanc. My husband, a veteran cider drinker, had Julian Temperley’s Somerset cider – in a lovely ceramic flask made by a local potter – what a great touch. I am afraid that pudding just had to follow – burnt cream with its crispy glazed top and a Hix Fix jelly to bring back the taste of that champagne!
We loved meeting the Chef, Phil, who showed us the kitchens and the KitchenTable where guests can sit to watch the kitchens in full swing and really savour the commitment here. Phil explained that The Fish House has a licence to bring fresh fish straight from the boats in the harbour below to the kitchen. This restaurant really ‘belongs’ there.
The feel-good factor of eating delicious food with a panoramic view of the Jurassic Coast will last for a long time. We had a lovely sunny day but it would be pretty exciting to eat here whilst watching a wild stormy sea battering the historic Cobb.
We will be going back again.... and again !
Miss Hamshere August 2012
We had a really enjoyable meal. The location is so beautiful, and every table enjoys the views out over the harbour. Its well worth coming early evening or for lunch so you can really appreciate the views, as as it got dark I felt I was missing out! The food was really special, we had a great spelt rissotto to share. Our starters were delicious, I had a plate of oysters. The champagne cocktails weren't bad either. They offer great lunch deals which I want to try next time. Would go back every week if I could!
September 2011
Food: Excellent
Service: Very attentive
Value: Not cheap or bountiful but the quality made it worth every penny!
Ambience: Very pleasant
Situation: Superb views over the sea
October 2010
Great restaurant and hopefully I will still be able to get a table now it has been voted the 27th best restaurant in the country at the National Restaurant Awards 2010
Mr Brazendale February 2009
Simply sumptuous!
The Hix Oyster house is a must visit eatery - book a babysitter and get a really good evening out. And don't worry, you don't need to like oysters, but you might be missing a trick if you don't even try just one!
Lyme Regis (1 ¾ miles)
Awash with history, Lyme Regis is an integral part of Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast; guided fossil hunting tours are a popular way to discover the rich geological history of the area. Literary history is equally important to Lyme Regis; the unique harbour, known as ‘The Cobb’ was immortalised by John Fowles in his novel ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’ and Thomas Hardy set many of his novels in the area.
Miss Heather September 2015
Great memories here! Would love to go back soon
Mrs Hopkin August 2012
Excellent parking very difficult in good weather but park and ride regular and drops off in good position. Beach very crowded and deckchairs etc. in short supply.
Miss Hamshere August 2012
This is a really brilliant bustling seaside town. The thing to be aware of before making the trip is that summertime parking is a challenge. We combat this by getting there early or late. Early means before about tenish, and you're guaranteed easy parking. A late visit for fish and chips on the beach watching the sun go down is brilliant too. The town has great shops to browse, and a huge range of pubs, restaurants and other eateries. There's always something going on, with Lifeboat week in late July being a particularly good event, with a Red Arrows fly by ending the week in style. There's a sandy section for the kids near the cob, but otherwise pebbly. Beach huts line the far end of the beach. You can walk to Charmouth from Lyme Regis and enjoy the amazing fossil hunting along the way.
Mrs Swainston July 2012
Lyme Regis
Okay but not a lot to do there, we walked out on the Cobb which was a little disappointing and wandered around the town.We were going to eat in the Hix restaurant but after searching reviews we decided to give it a miss, the service seemed hit and miss and had some less than complimentary reviews about poor service, quality of food, service charges etc. Seems you might just be paying for a name here rather than service. We do not mind paying for quality food but will not dine at a place that charges and does not back up its costs.There is a cheese shop down one of the side streets (The Town Mill) that has a great variety of cheeses but beware you are not allowed to touch them (even the wrapped & priced ones) you have to stand there looking only and then ask for everything you want to buy!
Mrs Avis January 2010
Dorset seaside town
A sandy beach - rare on this stretch of coast - and if not beach weather always something interesting to do and see. Fossil hunting, mackerel fishing and other boat trips, walking in the French Lieutenant's Woman's steps on the cobb, regular events like the jazz festival, town band performances , excellent range of eating places...
Mr Brazendale February 2009
Old fashioned sea-side charm
Lyme is the most beautiful place to visit, whether it is sunny or pouring down with rain. Last time we visited it was a damp cold day in October, but the town still shone. Ideal for families as you can choose from pebble or sandy bits of beach. The cobb is great for grandparents who wish to reminisce about the French Lieutenant's Woman. For those with twenty thousand pounds to spare, you might be able to snap up the odd beach hut! For mums and daughters and anyone else who likes pottering, the shops in the town are delightful with delis, independent bookstores, Joules and White Stuff clothing and quirky giftshops.
Miss Chown July 2008
Fond memories.....
..... of camping in a field on school trips. Mini-bus trips in the rain to the beach then the rush to the fudge shop for the best flavours!
Lyme Regis Golf Club (1 ¼ miles)
A clifftop course with fantastic views.
October 2008
Heaven
Friendly club that welcomes visitors,a varied and interesting test of golf ,having played the game in many parts of the world I think that the views on a good day are among the best I have ever seen.Back in the smart clubhouse to sample the good food and sup some of the local brew,as close to heaven as I shall ever get.
The Old Watch House (2 miles)
Situated on the historic Cobb harbour in Lyme Regis. Choose from fresh fish, crab, lobster or whatever happens to have been freshly landed that day. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Clarissa Dickson-Wright, Charlie Boorman and Mark Hix are all fans. In 2009 The Old Watch House won silver for best retail shop in the Taste of the West awards.
April 2010
Great traditional fishmonger
This shop's been going since the 1930's so it's got the classic charm of a proper fishmonger's. The fish comes from local fishermen in Lyme Bay as well as Brixham and Newlyn markets, so there's always a good selection and there's advice on hand for how best to cook them.
Mr Cornish March 2010
Cracking variety
These guys really know Fish... They have a huge selection of locally sourced fish etc. Go you won’t be disappointed.
June 2009
This shop is great as you can be confident the fish has been locally sourced and very fresh. They even go that step further and can prepare your fish with herbs/butter etc then seal it in an ovenproof bag, ready for you to shove straight in the oven - genius!
The River Cottage Store and Canteen (5 ¼ miles)
Local, ethical produce is the ethos at the River Cottage Local Produce Store. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, of Channel 4's River Cottage, and team, source the best local produce from South West producers for the store, where regular tasting evenings and events are held.
With a different menu every day, reflecting what's in season, The Canteen also showcases the best of the South West, with mouthwatering meals and a wicked selection of cakes and cream teas. Reservations recommended for evenings and Sunday lunch.
River Cottage HQ Cookery School
Nearby, on the Devon Dorset border is the famous River Cottage HQ where you can dig deeper into the River Cottage philosophy and learn how to recreate some of those fabulous dishes. Hugh and the team run a wide range of events and day courses including bread baking, chicken rearing and meat curing at Park Farm between Axminster and Lyme Regis.
May 2013
Stopped off for breakfast and a coffee, nice down to earth cafe, if you ignore all the self promotional books everywhere! I was expecting rip off prices due to the celebratory name but it was a very fair price for a lovely breakfast.
Miss Hamshere August 2012
Great place to go and enjoy some of the best food and drink that Devon has to offer. No fuss and bother with linen tablecloths and the like, so you can focus on the food. Not the cheapest option in town, but the experience is well worth it.
July 2010
New for July 2010: 'Cabaret Kitchen'
From the end of July Head Chef Tim and his team will be producing typically River Cottage fare using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients in front of your very eyes.
Miss Chown March 2010
Exciting and unassuming
I have always been a big fan of the River Cottage brand so as soon as I was in the area I arranged to have lunch with a friend here. We were both travelling from opposite sides of the country to meet there, by which time it was about one thirty. You cannot book so we were concerned we might not get in, but we only had to wait a couple of minutes before being seated at a very rustic (possibly recycled/reused) wooden table in what felt like a barn/outhouse. It definately wasn't posh, but it was light and airy and very 'countrified'. The menu each day is written on a big chalk board and by the time we got there the choice was somewhat limited as lots of things had run out. However, what we chose was tasty, not too overpriced, and a twist on a classic. We very much enjoyed our lunch there and had a good mooch around the deli/shop afterwards (which you walk through to get to the restaurant), having a good friendly chat with the staff who treated you like an old friend (and ran to get you a glass of water after sampling one of the chilli jams!) I would definately choose it as top of my list for lunch when visiting the area in future, although perhaps not go out of my way to visit it on purpose.
February 2009
A wide range of day courses and evening events are run, providing an insight into the humane and local production of food, and its preparation and cooking.
- H Minter
Mr Brazendale February 2009
A sunday lunch to die for!
We go to the River Cottage Canteen whenever we are visiting Devon. The restaurent (as the name suggests) does not stand on ceremony, but it is homely and welcoming and you can turn up in walking boots! We've taken family and friends and it is suitable for an impromptu lunch or big family celebration. However what makes it particularly special is the quality of the food, which, thanks to the rearing of the meat by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and his team, and the cooking of the chefs in the canteen, makes for a truly delicious meal. It won't be the cheapest food you've ever eaten, but you can relax in the knowledge that all the food is truly organic and responsibly farmed and that all the ingredients taste just like they should. Highly recommended!
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