Easy hikes and walks around Catherston Leweston

A main south west hotspot for hunting fossils

On the right day the views across to Lyme Regis and towards Portland are spectacular.

Situated on the Dorset/Devon border and just two miles from Lyme Regis, Charmouth is a quiet, unspoilt village, with lots of amenities. The village has a rich history going back hundreds of years, and was once on the main road from London to Exeter. As a consequence of this historical strategic location the village has seen many important visitors over the years with King Charles II staying in the village during his escape to France, and Jane Austen who, as a regular visitor, once wrote that Charmouth was “a nice place for sitting in unwearied contemplation”. Fortunately these days the busy roads bypass the village, and Charmouth retains the charm and tranquility it has enjoyed for hundreds of years. Charmouth is best known for its beach. Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, the local coastline provides an unique insight into millions of years of evolution, and of course is best known as the Jurassic Coast due to the large number of fossils that can be found on the beaches. However, the beach is not just for fossil hunters, having large areas of sand and gently shelving waters that make it an ideal family day out when the sun shines. The local cafés, shops and the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre provide food, drink, beach goods and information about the geology and fossils. Within the village Charmouth has a wide range of shops to ensure that visitors do not need to venture further afield during their stay. Everything from daily essentials, household and holiday goods, gifts, and beauty salons all available right in the village centre. A range of pubs, restaurants and cafés give a fantastic choice of refreshments from breakfast to dinner. As part of both the Jurassic Coast and in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty it is possible to lose yourself in sights, countryside and wildlife.

Stunning views of Lyme Regis from the top of Stonebarrow hill

Opening1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024 * March to October: 7 days a week from 10:30am until 4:30pm. (Closed Tuesdays in March) November to February: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10:30am until 4.00pm. Ticket Type Ticket Tariff Beach Clean / Nurdle Hunt Free Centre Admission Free Fossil Hunting Walk (Adult) £14.00 per ticket Fossil Hunting Walk (Child) £8.00 per ticket Seashore Safari (Adult) £10.00 per ticket Seashore Safari (Child) £5.00 per ticket Visit Raffle, a rare 3D plesiosaur skeleton. Named after Raffle the dog, who found the fossil whilst walking the beach with owner Tracey Barclay, this unique Jurassic marine reptile is one of the few 3D Lower Jurassic plesiosaurs in the world. Free to enter, it has an incredible array of fossils on display from the world-famous Jurassic Coast. Meet their newest and biggest residents: Raffle, a 3D plesiosaur skeleton, and David Attenborough’s Sea Dragon (as seen on TV). All the fossils are kindly on temporary loan from local fossil collectors, and so with more fossils found every day, the displays are frequently changing to showcase the newest fossils. Going out fossil hunting? they'll get you geared up to help you hunt! Whether that’s joining a guided fossil hunting walk with their expert wardens (run all year round) or getting free hints and tips from the knowledgeable volunteers in the Centre, they are there to help. Being right on the seafront of the world-class fossil hunting beach of Charmouth, they are well placed to identify your fossil finds too. The gift shop and online shop are well stocked to help you too, including fossil hunting kits, fossil ID guides and books. Right at the heart of the Lyme Bay Marine Conservation Area, they also celebrate the life under the waves. Between April – October they fill their catch and release fish tank with creatures from Charmouth’s rockpools. Why not join them on a Seashore Safari where they discover the fascinating local rockpool creatures. they are passionate about keeping the seas clean, and run regular free beach cleans and nurdle hunts. Public walks can be booked via their website: www.charmouth.org/chcc/events-calendar/.

Beach huts are available to hire for the summer or winter seasons. They can also be hired on a daily or weekly basis between May-September. Full time residents of Charmouth Parish may enter an annual lottery for a number of huts that are made available for the summer season at 50% of the full price. These are normally located on the grass area. The lottery also includes blue huts on the beach which are restricted initially to residents with children aged under 18. The lottery takes place at the beginning of April each year. ** PLEASE NOTE THAT SEASONAL HUTS ARE FULLY BOOKED FOR THIS YEAR AND THE SUBSTANTIAL WAITING LIST IS CURRENTLY CLOSED**

More information about opening times etc. can be found here: https://charmouth.org/chcc/ Important⚠️!! You are not allowed to be on some parts of the beach at high tide, as there is a risk of being trapped or the beach could flood. The tide table is available in the visitor center and you can also find out the best time of day to search there. We had fun, the beach is very beautiful and we found something 😉

After a bit of a climb along Monarchs Way you can look to the west for a good view of Lyme Regis and Lyme Bay. If you follow Monarchs Way all the way you would eventually come to Lyme Regis itself.