Let’s first talk about Lyme Regis and then, we will explore the best parking spots there, both free and paid.
Lyme Regis is a small town in the English county of Dorset. It is a popular tourist destination and is part of a World Heritage Site because it is located on the Jurassic Coast. The town’s history can be traced back to Saxon times.
Lyme Regis is steeped in history, dating back to the 8th century AD, and is surrounded by the natural beauty of Dorset coastlines. The Cobb, the harbour wall, began as a wooden wall in the 14th century. It was constructed to protect the town from the sea and to create an artificial harbour, which boosted the local port and shipbuilding industry. When ships became too large for the small harbour, the industry began to decline. Several literary works, including novels by Jane Austen and John Fowles, mention the sea wall and Lyme Regis.
Lyme Regis is an important archaeological site as well. Mary Anning discovered and identified several dinosaur fossils in the cliffs to the east of town in the nineteenth century. Visitors are drawn to this history, with popular attractions including the Fossil Museum and Dinosaurland. Annual events in Lyme Regis include the Fossil Festival, Carnival, and Regatta.
The town is said to be the origin of the ‘Lassie‘ legend, after a Dorset dog rescued a seaman who had been left for dead after a German U-boat attack during World War I. The locals are very proud of their legendary dog. The Town Mill water mill, which was built in 1340, has been restored and is now producing flour. Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium houses local sea life as well as the town’s maritime history in an 18th century building on the harbour.
Lyme Regis’ population was estimated to be around 4805 in 2019, making it a very small town. Despite the low permanent population, hundreds of thousands of people visit each year, making parking in and around the area difficult, if not impossible. On this page, we’ve compiled the best free parking options in town, as well as the cheapest paid parking.
Now let’s explore, where we can find Free and Paid Parking Spaces in Lyme Regis!
Important Note:
While UKFreeParking.com takes every step to ensure that the parking information provided is accurate at the time of writing, local ordinances, parking availability, parking prices, and parking regulations change with time.
UKFreeParking.com accepts no responsibility for any fines or tickets received as a result of using our website.
Please ensure that you park your vehicle safely and responsibly every time, making sure to adhere to local parking rules, signs, and regulations.
Free Parking in Lyme Regis
On-Street Parking in Lyme Regis
Parking in one of the designated on-street spaces along Lyme Regis’ main roads is one of the most convenient options. Because they are almost all time-limited, this is ideal for a quick trip to town. Please keep in mind that all of these streets are on slopes, with Pound Street being the most difficult to navigate. These areas can be found at:
- Broad Street DT7 3QE – 1 hour
- Silver Street DT7 3HU – unrestricted parking in the north end, 10 parking spaces outside the library, and up to 2 hours free parking in the south end
- Pound Street DT7 3HX – up to 2 hours
Before you leave your car, check for any nearby signage explaining time restrictions, and remember that on-street parking is done at your own risk. While these are convenient and free (for a limited time), they fill up quickly and there is no guarantee you will be able to use one. However, there are a few other parking options in Lyme Regis.
Free Overnight Parking in Lyme Regis
Some of the paid-for parking lots are only restricted during the day and are free to use after hours. These spaces are ideal for staying in Lyme Regis overnight or until late at night – though an early start is required to move the car before charges return! The following times are when the parking lots are unrestricted:
- Holmbush Car Park DT7 3HX – 6pm-7am
- Woodmead Car Park DT7 3PG – Summer: 9pm-7am, Winter: 6pm-7am
- Broad Street Car Park DT7 3RQ – 6pm-7am
- Cobb Gate Car Park – 6pm-7am
- Monmouth Beach Car Park – Summer: 9pm-7am Winter: 6pm-7am
Park & Ride Service in Lyme Regis
Another option is the Lyme Regis Park & Ride, which is located just to the northeast of town. Parking in the lot is completely free, with only a bus fare to bring you into the center. This can be a good way to avoid looking for a suitable parking space and not have to worry about time restrictions that are common in town. The Park & Ride is located at Charmouth Road DT7 3FG, approximately 1.5 miles from the Lyme Regis beach – you could even walk if you’re feeling particularly energetic!
Bus fares are as follows:
- Adult Single: £2.00
- Child Single: £1.50
- Adult Return: £3.50
- Child Return: £2.50
- Group Ticket (up to 5 people): £8.00
- Concessionary passes are accepted
One disadvantage of the Park & Ride is that it is only available at certain times of the year. These are the current dates for 2022:
- Sunday 10th April – Saturday 23rd April
- Monday 2nd May
- Sunday 29th May – Saturday 4th June
- Sunday 24th July – Wednesday 31st August
Cheapest Paid Parking Options in Lyme Regis
Of course, if you prefer the security and convenience of an official car park, you can always pay for parking. These are the most affordable options we could find in Lyme Regis:
- Cobb Gate DT7 3QD – £3.00 for 2 hours
- Broad Street DT7 3QR – £3.00 for 2 hours
- Woodmead DT7 3PG – £2.20 for 2 hours
- Holmbush DT7 3HX – £2.20 for 2 hours
- Charmouth Road DT7 3DR – £3.00 for 2 hours
- Monmouth Beach DT7 3LE – £3.00 for 2 hours
Lyme Regis is a lovely, historic town on the Jurassic Coast. It would be a shame to have a headache trying to find parking, whether free or cheap. We hope the information on this page will assist you in doing so, so you can enjoy your time in this West Dorset jewel.