The Old Manor House
41241.5 miles NE of Lyme Regis / Sleeps 10 + 2 cots
7 Nights from £1330
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.
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.
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
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.
August 2019
Lyme regis
10 mins away, £2 to park all day, AMAZING! Beautiful town, lovely shops great sea front, and not too busy, highly recommend.
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!
The George Inn (4 miles)
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 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.
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 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.
October 2019
Mrs Sadowyj
Great food using fresh ingredients in interesting combinations.
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!
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!
Articles | From around the area
Places to Go
Dorset Gardens
News & Offers
Properties on the Jurassic Coast
Places to Go
5 Best dog friendly beaches in Dorset
Places to Go