The Cobb

The Cobb is Lyme Regis's working harbour wall, and it's exactly as dramatic as the postcards suggest. This curved stone arm juts into the sea with the kind of presence that makes you understand why it's been protecting the town since medieval times. Walk its length on a calm day and you'll see fishing boats, spot the odd angler, and get views back across the Jurassic Coast that are genuinely worth the wind in your face.

Historically minded visitors will recognise it immediately - Jane Austen set a crucial scene here in Persuasion, and the 1981 film of The French Lieutenant's Woman used it for that famous running-down-the-steps moment. The stonework itself tells a story: you can see where it's been repaired and rebuilt after centuries of Atlantic swells battering it senseless. On rough days, spray flies right over the top. Children enjoy it more than you'd expect - there's the harbour life to watch, rock pools to poke about in, and the simple pleasure of walking somewhere that feels actually old.

It's free to wander, though the cobbles are uneven and slippery when wet. Allow 20-30 minutes for a proper look. Time your visit for lower tide if you want to explore the base. Bridport sits just inland if you need supplies or lunch. For a holiday based at one of the nearby parks - Seadown, Newlands, or Golden Cap - this is an essential half-hour, not a full-day commitment. It's the sort of place that anchors a coastal walk rather than demands hours on its own. Go early or late to dodge the day-trippers.