Dogs banned May 1 – September 30
Dogs banned from the main Front Beach 1 May–30 September. Three other Lyme Regis beaches remain dog-friendly year-round.
Year-round alternative: Monmouth Beach, Church Cliff Beach, and East Cliff Beach are all dog-friendly year-round
About Lyme Regis — Front Beach
Lyme Regis Front Beach is a popular, family-friendly beach near the Cobb harbour, offering both sandy and shingle areas. It's a great spot for dog walkers during the off-season, with seasonal restrictions in place during summer. The beach provides good accessibility and a range of nearby amenities.
Notable features: The beach is near the iconic Cobb harbour. It is split into a sandy section and a pebble section by a stone jetty. Rock pools are found at Church Cliff Beach (adjacent to Front Beach) at low tide.
Dog Tips
Dogs are allowed off-lead on Front Beach from October 1st to April 30th. From May 1st to September 30th, dogs are not permitted on Front Beach. During the winter period (Oct-Apr), dogs must be kept on a lead no longer than two meters while on Front Beach. Leads are required year-round in many surrounding areas including the promenade and car parks.
Best Time to Visit
October to April for dog walkers to be off-lead. Summer is very busy with swimmers. Lifeguards are present mid-July to early September.
Hazards to be aware of
Jellyfish (Portuguese Man o' War) have been reported to wash up on beaches in the area, especially after certain wind conditions. Strong currents and rip tides are not explicitly mentioned for Front Beach but are general coastal hazards. Unstable cliffs are noted for East Cliff Beach, but not directly for Front Beach. Busy with swimmers during summer.
Several car parks are available, including Woodmead Car Park (239 spaces), Cabanya Car Park, and Monmouth Beach Car Park (Cabanya and Monmouth combined have 282 spaces). Dorset Council operates Holmbush (DT7 3HX), Charmouth Road (DT7 3DW), Broad Street (DT7 3QD), and Cobb Gate (DT7 3QD) car parks. An NCP car park is also available at Broad Street (DT7 3QH). Parking is paid, with options for coin, card, or the Justpark app. Charmouth Road car park offers all-day parking for £2 and is a lovely walk to the seafront. Monmouth Beach Car Park costs £1.90 per hour and has a level walk to the town centre. Motorhomes are prohibited in town council car parks but accommodated in Dorset Council car parks like Holmbush and Charmouth Road.
Postcode for sat nav: DT7 3DW (Charmouth Road Car Park)
Toilets (including disabled facilities) are available on the Promenade and near the Cobb. Showers are available. Lifeguards patrol the sandy section of the beach from mid-July to early September. Numerous kiosks, cafes, restaurants, and pubs are nearby. Beach huts are available for hire. Dog waste bins are assumed to be available in public areas.
The Cart Road promenade is flat and suitable for wheelchairs. Beach matting provides wheelchair access onto the beach. Beach wheelchairs and a floating wheelchair are available for free hire from the town council (booking required).
Nearby Dog-Friendly Pubs
Rock Point Inn
Right on the water's edge. Entirely dog-friendly in the bar area. Offers a special "Proper Dog" beer for your pet.
The Cobb Arms
Near the Cobb, convenient stop right off the beach.
The Royal Standard
Right by the Cobb. Extremely dog-friendly with beachside beer garden.
Nearby Cafés & Restaurants
Numerous cafes are available along the promenade and in the town centre, many of which are dog-friendly. Baboo Gelato on Marine Parade offers 'Doggy Doggy Yum Yum'. Specific names of dog-friendly cafes are not detailed.
Location
Postcode: DT7 3DB (Lyme Regis Town Council address, nearest general postcode)
Nearby Dog Walks
Golden Cap from Seatown
The highest cliff on England's south coast
Seaton to Lyme Regis via the Undercliff
The Jungle Walk — England's most extraordinary coastal path