Lyme Regis Library

The library sits right in the heart of Lyme Regis, a few minutes' walk from the seafront where the fossil cliffs start their dramatic tumble into the Channel. It's a proper working library, not some heritage attraction, but that's exactly what makes it worth ducking into on a rainy afternoon or when you fancy a break from the beach.

You'll find the usual mix of books, but what catches people is the local history section. The staff actually know Lyme - they'll point you towards material on the fossils, the Civil War connections, and Mary Anning's story if you ask. It's the kind of place where locals pop in regularly, so there's a genuine community feel rather than the sterile vibe of chain libraries elsewhere.

Certainly not a destination in itself, but if you're based at one of the nearby parks - Seadown, Newlands, or Golden Cap a few miles inland - it's a solid rainy-day option. Kids might manage twenty minutes if they're into the activity corner, though honestly they'll be keener on the fossil beaches and the Cobb breakwater just outside town. Bring your library card from home if you want to borrow; visiting readers might need to register.

Timing-wise, allow half an hour unless you're genuinely interested in the local history archive. Free to browse. Closest town is Bridport at roughly three miles west, though Lyme Regis itself has enough cafes and shops to make a proper morning of it before you head back to your holiday park.