The Timeless Coast - 7 Day South West Coast Path Trail

About

Explore the East Devon coastline with its cliffs, beaches packed with fossils, incredible eateries and coastal villages by following this 7-day walking trail. The South West Coast Path goes between Lyme Regis, Dorset and Beer, Devon following the Jurassic Coast Line.

Do the whole trail, or split the days up depending on your own timetable. Visit www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk to see more trail details.

DAY 1 - FOSSIL HUNTING IN CHARMOUTH AND HILL CLIMBING ON GOLDEN CAP

Lace up your hiking boots in Seatown and head towards the summit of Golden Cap. At 191 metres (627 feet), you’ll have conquered the highest point on the south coast of England! From the summit you have three choices. 1: Return the same way. 2: Follow the 4.5-mile (7.2km) circular route past the ruins of the 13th Century St Gabriel’s Chapel before dropping back into Seatown or 3, continue westwards along the Coast Path and walk the three miles (4.8km) to Charmouth.

DAY 2 - LYME BAY CRAB, FOSSILS, FILM AND LITERATURE IN LYME REGIS

There’s no escaping fossils in Lyme. Even the lampposts are ammonite-shaped! Visit Lyme Regis’ Museum to learn more about the area. When you’ve had your fill of fossils, stroll along the promenade to the Cobb, which juts out into the sea affording great views of the beach and coastline. The Cobb has provided a backdrop to scenes in many books, films and TV dramas. If the tide is low, continue west along the beach for 500 metres past the last beach huts to reach the famous ammonite graveyard.

DAY 3 - WATERSPORTS, CRAFTS AND A RIVERSIDE WALK IN LYME REGIS

Weave your way through the narrow streets of Lyme Regis to the Town Mill – a 700-year-old working water mill which now showcases the wares of local craftsman, before continuing up the wooded valley beside the River Lym on the 1.5-mile (2.4km) footpath from Lyme Regis to Uplyme and back. If you’re still feeling active after the morning stroll, experience one of the water sports available at the beach.

 DAY 4 - A JURASSIC ‘JUNGLE’ WALK AND SEATON’S HISTORIC TRAMWAY

Head west out of Lyme Regis through the Undercliffs’ National Nature Reserve. Created by a series of landslips, the Undercliffs are only accessible on foot.
After the morning’s strenuous scramble, ride on the Seaton Tramway, a historic narrow-gauge tram which travels through the nature reserves of the Axe estuary to the delightful Devon villages of Colyford and Colyton.

DAY 5 - MARSHWOOD VALE BIKE TOUR, LEWESDON HILL AND FORDE ABBEY

One of the easiest ways to see the landscape is to join a three-hour electric bike tour for a scenic journey through the Marshwood Vale. This rural idyll of rolling hills, remote farms and historic villages is crowned by the peaks of Lewesdon Hill (Dorset’s highest hill at 279 metres) and Pilsdon Pen.

DAY 6 - JURASSIC TIME-TRAVEL IN SEATON,

At Seaton Jurassic you can go back in time and discover the secrets of the Jurassic Coast. This hands-on museum lets you examine fossils and discover the sea creatures that once lived in the tropical waters which covered this area.

DAY 7 - THE HOOKEN CLIFFS WALK AT BEER AND BRANSCOMBE

Ten miles (16km) west of Lyme Regis lies the Devonshire village of Beer. Take the path out of the village, following the Coast Path over Beer Head to Branscombe Beach. Return via the Coast Path or continue on the 4.1-mile (6.6km) Hooken Cliffs walk by heading inland to the pretty village of Branscombe.

The best place to base yourselves for an adventure on this stretch of coast is Lyme Regis.