Brilliant Bookshops: The Lyme Regis Bookshop
Lyme Regis in Dorset is a beautiful town, famous for its fossils and Mary Anning, but also boasting a rich literary heritage. Its Cobb is where Louisa Musgrove jumps from the steps and falls in Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’ and where the French Lieutenant’s Woman stands, staring out to sea. Maria in ‘A Stitch in Time’ finds herself on holiday here with her parents and the Church Mice from Grahame Oakley’s lovely series find themselves taking a break there. When visiting the museum, I was also surprised to find out that Beatrix Potter had visited in 1904 whilst writing ‘The Tale of Little Pig Robinson’. There are, of course, a number of excellent books about Mary Anning herself which are set here too: Lightning Mary by Anthea Simmons; ‘Stone Girl, Bone Girl’ by Laurence Anholt; The Fossil Girl by Catherine Brighton to name a few. There is now a statue of Mary Anning on the Lyme Regis seafront, on the corner of Long Entry and Gun Cliff Walk, overlooking the beach where she made some of her greatest discoveries.
When we last visited Lyme, before all the lockdowns, the bookshop on Broad Street was called ‘Serendip’. The current owners took over in December 2020 and The Lyme Regis Bookshop is one of a number of their bookshops, including Bookhaus in Bristol.
The shop is light and inviting with a separate children’s room at the back of the shop. Being at the heart of the Jurassic Coast, it is not surprising that they offer quite a number of books on the geology of the area and local walking among their wide range of titles covering many subjects. The children’s section is a well stocked and appealing space, offering books for all ages. Tucked away at the back of the shop in a separate room, it has a special feel to it, a safe space to browse and find a new favourite read. The knowledgeable and helpful staff are quick to offer support when needed, but also to allow you to potter around at your own pace.
The Lyme Regis Book Shop
11, Broad Street,
Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3QD