LYME REGIS
Lyme Regis is a seaside resort in Dorset practically on the Devon border.
Lyme Regis is a seaside resort in Dorset practically on the Devon border. Off of the A35 from Dorchester to Axminster.
An interesting resort with beach and fossils. The town has lots of specialist shops. There are quite a few selling fossils and coloured stones. Hard to believe they can all make enough to survive. How many fossils would a person need in the home?
Judged a Sunday Times “Best Place to Live” 2020
The beach and town are at the bottom of a steep hill and going anywhere but the prom requires a climb. It is, though, a lovely little resort from a week or weekend.
Surrounding area has plenty of attractions. A visit to the Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth is a great experience.
From the Mariners to the Cobb is all downhill and all pubs are in between. Or from the Cobb to the Mariners it is all up hill. The emphasis, here, is on steep. The main street (Silver Street) splits at the top and The Mariners Hotel is up the right-hand fork. I start at the Mariners as it is the only pub without real ale so we get it over with quickly. Coming down from the Mariners is The Nags Head. Further down as you reach the main road is The Volunteer Arms. Walking down hill still and on the left is The Royal Lion Hotel.
Continuing down (nearly on the flat) the road goes round and to The Pilot Boat Inn. On the narrow road first left after the Pilot, a short walk brings you to The Ship. Return to The Pilot and across the road is The Rock Point. A stroll along Marine Parade to the beach and harbour brings in quick succession The Royal Standard, The Harbour and finally The Cobb.
The Cobb is called after the stone structure running out into the sea to form a protective barrier for the harbour. This is the real Cobb – think French Lieutenant’s Woman and Persuasion
Local real ales are brewed by Palmers , Otter Brewery and The Town Mill brewery in Lyme Regis itself.
In town Palmer's is available as Devon Gold, Best, Copper Ale and 200 Premium while Otter is represented by Bitter and Ale. The Town Mill brewery is represented by Cobb bitter.
The Mariners Hotel
The Mariners Hotel ; and it is a hotel - restaurant, comfy seating, coffee tables etc. The only place in town with no real ale. Lovely garden with view over town. Restaurant and bar meal areas. Very 'hotel' attractive inside
Have a half pint
PLACES TO VISIT WITH PUBTRAILS
The towns and villages highlighted on this web site have a wide variety of pubs and beers in them. All of the places are great to visit, whether for a day or longer, and most have tourist attractions for all of the family.
There is a large variety of pubs throughout the different towns shown below. Some you may wish never to visit again but even discovering these can be interesting. There are pubs that you would not take your wife into. While some you could not take your girlfriend into. A few you would not take either into. However, most of the pubs are very pleasant.
HOME MAP of places visited
Alnwick Ambleside Anstruther Bakewell Bamburgh Barnard Castle Bath Berwick upon Tweed Birnam & Dunkeld Bourton on the Water Bowness on Windermere Bridge of Allan Chester Chichester Dunblane Dunoon Edinburgh Ely Fort William Glasgow Gourock Greenock Helensburgh Inverness Kelso Keswick Knaresbourgh Largs Linlithgow Lyme Regis Melrose Montrose Newton Stewart North Berwick Norwich Oban Pebbles Penzance Portree Pitlochry Quorn Richmond Rothesay St Andrews Seahouses Seend Shrewsbury Skipton Stirling Stratford-upon-Avon Stockton Heath Whitby Windemere Whitstable York
The Nags Head ★
The Nags Head Inn is my favourite in town. Two large serving areas, pool room and beer garden with views. Music at weekend. Evening meals and dig friendly.
Two here please.
Good Beer Guide regular - including 2023, 2024
real ale: Ruddles, London Pride, Otter Ale, Sark Lark
lager: Carlsberg, San Miguel, Carling
cider: Thatcher's Gold Guinness
The Volunteer Inn ★
The Volunteer Inn is the pub where real ale seems to be promoted the most and changed regularly. Dining to left, beer to right. Locals can be noisy and getting to bar can be awkward as it is usually busy.
Good Pub Guide 2013
Must have two here.
real ale: Tribute, Ruby (Yeovil ales) ,Broadgauge bitter
lager: Carlsberg, Stella, 1664
cider: at least 4 Guinness
The Royal Lion Hotel
The Royal Lion Hotel is the old, (build 1601) well established hotel in town which can look a little faded. However, the lounge is comfortable for sitting in and/or eating. The bar is not a comfortable for sitting at.
Have a pint
real ale: Cobb (local) Otter bitter, Butcombe bitter
lager: Becks Stella
cider: Ashton's press Guinness
PUB QUIZ
When there is a crisis the British Government has an emergency COBRA meeting. What does COBRA stand for?
Answer at foot of page
The Pilot Boat Inn ★
The Pilot Boat Inn is very nice but at times of the day it is more restaurant (good food) than bar. It serves food quite late. There are front and rear serving areas but both concentrate on meals, as well as outside tables at the side. You can sit at the bar but customers are always ordering food. Salt, pepper, menu etc are always on the table. Very nice at bottom bar between meal times. Roof terrace for taking in the sunshine.
Good Beer Guide 2023 , 2024, 2025
Have a pint or two
real ale: Premium, 200, Dorset Gold, Copper Ale, Tally Ho and Best (all Palmers)
lager: Carlsberg, Heineken
cider: Thatcher's Gold Guinness
The Ship ★
The Ship is the hardest to find as it is off of the main road. It is a pleasant, small bar used by locals and others wanting peace. Pool room
Recent extensive refurbishment by Palmers includes a skittle alley.
Worth a pint or two
real ale: IPA, Dorset Gold (all Palmers)
lager: Amstel, Birra Moretti;
cider: First Press (real) Guinness
The Rock Point Inn ★
The Rock Point Inn is all bright wood and chrome, and noisy. It is a free house with large drinking area with pub food. Seating outside overlooking sea. Several semi-circular sets of fonts each with own small TV under pumps. There are several larger TV screens. Attracts the young and noisy. Rooms available. Loves dogs. Lunch and evening meals.
Well worth a pint
Good Beer Guide - 2023, 2024,2025
real ale: Proper Job, Tribute - St Austell Brewery pub
keg: Toby bitter
lager: Carlsberg, Stella, San Miguel
cider: Orchards, Strongbow Guinness
The Royal Standard
The Royal Standard has an entrance from road or prom. Large drinking area on Marine Parade with several serving areas inside and a pub dining part. Pool table in middle for young, school to university angst, locals.
Dog friendly
Good Pub Guide 2013
Go for two pints.
real ale: 200 Premium, IPA , Dorset and Copper (all Palmers)
lager: Carlsberg, Stella, Becks
cider: Thatchers gold Guinness
Harbour Inn
Harbour Inn with entrance from road or prom it also has a drinking area on the beach. Balcony on main pub, drinking area inside with restaurant beyond.
Good Beer Guide 2013 (CAMRA)
Good Pub Guide 2013 .. 2024
One pint here.
real ale: Tribute, Otter Bitter, Otter Ale, Cobb
lager: Carlsberg, Stella, Red Stripe
cider: Thatcher's Gold Guinness
The Cobb Arms
The Cobb Arms is the pub nearest the actual Cobb. The main doors open onto a roundabout! Large pub with several interconnecting serving areas, two with food and one with pool. Outside tables at side and a bit of a balcony for sitting watching the beach. Pushes the food and keeps salt, pepper etc on tables even in the evening. Yet retains pub feel.
Good Pub Guide 2013
Have a pint here.
real ale: 200, Premium, Best, Copper and Dorset Gold (all Palmers)
lager: Fosters, Becks Vier
cider: Thatcher's Gold, Gaymers, Blackthorn
“Whisky is liquid sunshine.”
— George Bernard Shaw
ANSWER: Cabinet Office Briefing Room A