This little village has a very special place in my heart. It is so peaceful and there is a lot on offer for things to do. Though I would not live here now, perhaps a thought to retire here, I would always go back and visit.
As a newcomer to England and the south, I found the people, the accents and the food just incredible and it made it into a holiday even though I was working. My favourite elements of this little pearl was the seafood, the beaches (as pebbly as they come) and the little crystal shop that I would regularly treat myself in!
I worked at a renovated and refurbed pub called The Pilot Boat (I have an article about this in Madeline’s Favourite Pubs) and was quickly immersed in the grand English culture of proper pubs and pub food. I made some great friends and experienced my first world cup (not the same hype in Aus) in a great pub!
I would go to the wet fish shop whenever I could, buy a range of prawns, mussels and whatever else I fancied and go home to make my own version of a Cioppino (recipe coming soon). My housemates were often less than impressed when the entire house reeked of fish…
I also went out for coffee nearly every day (a luxury now, but at the time, I was still getting used to being in the northern hemisphere and I was bloody loving it!) The Town Mill Bakery was my favourite cafe, so rustic and raw, as well as having fantastic coffee and a great bakery. You get a proper breakfast if you like real sourdough and poached eggs that you want to stab. I also really liked The Lyme Bay Cafe, mainly for the view and a coffee now and then, but the Town Mill is my favourite. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants around, but a hot tip - the seagulls in the UK are massive! They are as aggressive as they are large, so guard your ice cream with your life because they will use your head as a pitstop on snatching it out of your hand. Speaking from personal experience here.
My uncle and aunt occasionally visited and we’d go out to eat together. One lovely place that like many others has had to adapt in the pandemic is Hix Oyster and Fish House. This restaurant is renowned for its quality of food, something that you cannot fault. The staff are generally good, but their focus is one thousand percent on the food.
It is a very seasonal village, and I lived there throughout the Summer, edging into Autumn and Winter, leaving when the weather cooled and the village became quiet. I began to crave the busy streets and sounds of London so I returned and shortly after I met my now husband!
A fairly isolated village with the closest bus/ train station being Axminster, with trains from there to London or elsewhere. I often opted for a taxi to Axminster as buses from Lyme weren’t always scheduled or only every two hours. Although we would make day trips to other towns such as Yeovil or Bridport (The old immigrant / traveller tourist act), you can happily stay in Lyme for the duration of your holiday without leaving the town centre. Your visit can be romantic, solo or family oriented. I would always recommend this place and I am beaming knowing that I will always have a handful of friends down that way. Worth a visit!
I must get back some time soon...
Links:
Crystals:
Seafood:
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Coffee:
Wow beautiful 😍