Monmouth Beach, Lyme Regis, Dorset
On the western side of Lyme Regis, Monmouth Beach is dog friendly all year round and is much quieter than the main beach. The long stretch of pebbles is backed by a row of beach huts and boat clubs and the ambience, especially in the early evening when voices drift softly on the air, is wonderful.
Monmouth Beach is part of the spectacular Jurassic Coast, so you might well find a fossil or two; if you’re not sure what to look for pop into the fossil shop in town to get an idea. You need to be aware that the cliffs behind the beach are around 200 million years old and are subject to rockfalls every so often, especially after rainfall. There is a car park for direct access to the beach, but it fills up quickly in peak season so you’ll need to get there early to secure a spot.
The beach features big in history – it’s where the Duke of Monmouth landed in 1685 before setting off to gather rebels for the unsuccessful Monmouth Rebellion. Now you know where the name comes from.
All information correct at the time of writing