If you’re staying at one of our traditional pubs in West Dorset you’ll be a in a prime location to explore the Jurassic Coast on foot. The coastal walk from Lyme Regis to West Bay is a relatively challenging route in places, but worth every single step of the 8 mile stretch. Highlights along the way include the fossil covered shores at Charmouth, as well as the iconic summit of Golden Cap. Take in the charming coastal hamlet of Seatown before arriving at West Bay, the location of the popular TV series Broadchurch.
As you navigate along the Dorset coastline, you’ll nearly always be just a stone’s through away from a Palmers pub. This guide will ensure you don’t miss the stunning views or go thirsty as you explore the historic landscape. Conveniently, at the end of the walk from Lyme Regis to West Bay our historic brewing site in Bridport makes for a perfect finale. Reward yourself with a Dorset brewery tour and a chance to stock up in our wine store.
Pack some sturdy walking boots, make sure you bring your camera and away you go on your Jurassic Coast adventure!
Lyme Regis to Charmouth
The walk starts at Lyme Regis where you can find plenty of places to grab a bite to eat and refreshment before setting off. Start at Marine Parade where The Cobb Arms and The Royal Standard provide a great excuse to spend some time enjoying the scenic views of Lyme Regis. For the Palmers pub completist, The Pilot Boat and Ship Inn are located at the other end of Marine Parade as you head East towards Charmouth.
There is a choice of two walking routes between Lyme Regis and Charmouth. The official South Coast Path route heads inland via Timber Hill taking roughly an hour before arriving in Charmouth. Another option is to walk along the beach. However, this must be done with caution and at low tide only and by avoiding the base of the cliff as the area is prone to landslips. Take extra care to check tide times and plan ahead to see if it’s safe to walk this way. The abundance of fossils at Charmouth provide added interest, so if you decide to spend more time here, we recommend a trip inland to the village and a visit to The Royal Oak Inn.
Charmouth to Golden Cap
One of the highlights of the walk is undoubtedly the famous Golden Cap, the highest cliff on the coast path. Having set off from Charmouth along the South West Coast Path this section of the walk takes around 1 hour 25 minutes. Be warned it is quite a climb to reach the top of Golden Cap, but the far-reaching views when you get there are simply stunning.
Golden Cap to Seatown
From Golden Cap take the 25 minute descent down the South West Coast Path to the idyllic village of Seatown. Nestled on the beach you’ll find The Anchor Inn – a characterful Palmers pub to enjoy lunch with scenic views.
Seatown to West Bay
From Seatown there is another climb along the cliff top path, this one less challenging, before descending into West Bay. Allow 1 hour 15 minutes for this leg of the journey.
West Bay is a gem of the Jurassic Coast with a quaint harbour and wide sandy beach. If you’re not in a hurry to complete the walk in a day, you’ll have no problem spending a few hours here. There’s a great selection of Palmers pubs to tick off the list, with The West Bay Hotel, Bridport Arms and George Hotel.
West Bay to Bridport
For the final section of the walk there is a 1 mile-long flat path from West Bay into the centre of Bridport.
Accommodation Lyme Regis, Seatown & West Bay
To complete the entire 8-mile walk from Lyme Regis to West Bay it will take approximately 3.5 hours. To make the most of your stay you may choose to split the walk over a number of days. Why not book a room at one of our West Dorset Inns, which are perfect for a short getaway on the famous Jurassic Coast. Both the Cobb Arms and The Pilot Boat in Lyme Regis have bedrooms, as does The Anchor Inn in Seatown which boasts breathtaking sea views. In West Bay the Bridport Arms, West Bay Hotel, and George Hotel all offer accommodation with bags of character.
Historic Brewery Tour in Dorset
For the ultimate Palmers experience in West Dorset finish the walk with a Brewery Tour at our brewhouse in Bridport. Learn more about the production process of our fine ales, brewed at the same location since 1984. Final stop on the tour is the Wine Store where you can purchase supplies and taste the quality with Palmers.
