The town, which has been dubbed the Pearl of Dorset, is a popular holiday destination throughout the year – but some locals say it has become too busy and expensive
Lyme Regis, often described as the ‘Pearl of Dorset’, is grappling with the issue of overtourism, leaving a sour taste for some local residents at peak holiday times. While Spanish coastal towns are facing heated protests over the mass influx of sun-seeking Brits, discontent is simmering in this picturesque UK town.
As a prime spot with stunning views over the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lyme Regis attracts throngs of visitors to its quaint streets lined with thriving independent shops and tasty little cafes and eateries. Yet, despite the obvious charms and a clear love for the town, locals can’t help but feel the pressure from the surge of visitors.
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Union Jacks flutter above Broad Street’s decline, screen-printing the sky with vibrant bursts of colour as people enjoyed their time outside the local haunts. But beneath this idyllic surface, there’s a brewing frustration among residents.
Local Chris Irving, 72, whose home lies just a stone’s throw from the town centre, reflected on his weekly visits: “It’s a lovely place but there should be some more ordinary shops – butchers, greengrocers and things like that. I feel sorry for the locals a bit really.”
Without skipping a beat, when asked whether overtourism is taking a toll on Lyme Regis, Chris said: “Yeah there’s too many people. We pick our days. We don’t come in on bank holidays, as a rule, and some weekends we avoid it as it’s too crowded.”
During the peak season, Lyme Regis sees its population soar from 4,000 to an estimated 20,000, with day-trippers flocking in on bank holidays and weekends, leading to severe traffic jams and parking woes, reports the Express.
The closest railway station is Axminster, situated about six miles away, after Lyme Regis lost its own station on November 29, 1965, following the Beeching Report which led to the axing of many miles of railway deemed unprofitable.
Chris refers to car parking as a “delicate issue” while Matthew Blueberry, who runs the Blueberry shop on Broad Street, laments that parking turns into a “nightmare” when summer crowds descend upon the town.
“It’s a small town and people like the independent shops,” he says. “It can get too busy in the summer. The parking is a nightmare – it’s too expensive.”
Lyme Regis boasts a combination of town council-run and privately owned car parks, with hourly rates ranging from £1.50 to £1.90, alongside options for longer stays.
Yet, according to Matthew, these car parks simply can’t cope with the tourist influx during the high season. The 25 year old points out: “Most people drive in but they can’t find parking. They then go ‘oh I’m going to go somewhere else’. We then lose potential business.
“The main car park is expensive and getting a spot on the road only lasts around 45 minutes to an hour. People also caravan or camp down here, which brings a lot of people in. But overall the town needs to do a lot more to help us out.”
John Smith, who manages Primary Colours in the town centre, says the summer holidays are “chokka” in Lyme Regis. He also agrees parking is a big issue in the town and said local bus services could be more efficient.
The 60 year old says: “There are buses but, like everything else, they’re not as good as they could be. Most people just drive in.
“It would be lovely if people came without their cars as parking is a big issue in town. There is a park and ride though which operates in the summer. But in the summer holidays the town is just chokka. It can get too busy at times.”
Lyme Regis Town Council says it has invested in public transport and parking facilities in a bid to relieve the stress of overtourism. According to its website, this includes bus services, a park and ride service and the creation of electric vehicle charging points.
Residents and visitors of the charming coastal town of Lyme Regis are voicing their sentiments about living in and visiting what’s often described as a quaint, old-fashioned British seaside resort.
Mr Smith, a local, described his home with fondness: “It’s a quaint, old-fashioned and traditional British seaside resort,” he noted.
“It’s also a great place to visit out of season for the grandparents and older people. We’re so lucky to live here.”
Margaret Quinlan, a frequent visitor from Bedfordshire, expressed her feelings about the bustling nature of Lyme Regis: “It’s a lovely place but it does get very busy. It’s not that busy today luckily so we can just walk around. We try and come down when it’s a bit quieter.”
She went on to add concerns about accessibility: “As we’re getting older, it’s not easy to access now. Luckily our flat is the other end of the town so we don’t have to use the main car park which always gets full.”
When discussing the transport links, she mentioned: “Yeah being able to get a train would make it easier.” Reflecting on past visits she said: “We’ve been coming for 20 years and have never been able to get a train in.
“If there was a train station we’d definitely consider getting one. We’re thinking about getting the bus up the hill which would save us a big walk.”
Chris Ford, who runs The Old Forge Fossil Shop on Broad Street, touched on the economic benefits of the town’s popularity: “I’m not going to complain about how busy it gets. It makes the town a great place all year round. It’s a very friendly place to visit for families,” he asserted.
Chris, a local resident, has expressed his scepticism about the feasibility of adding a train station to attract more visitors to the town. He said: “People don’t use the trains to come this far down. We’re three hours from London and people can’t get across the country or even from Bath. So a lot of people are driving or come to caravan parks.”
He further added: “I’m sure (a train station) would bring more people down but it’s getting the trains down into the valley from Axminster.
“I know there’s a track but there’s a big viaduct they’ve got to get across. And, it hasn’t been well maintained over the years.”
Lyme Regis Town Council has acknowledged the town’s heavy reliance on tourism. They stated that “it must strike a reasonable balance between responsible tourism and protecting the environment”.
The council also highlighted the various sustainable travel options available to and around the town. They said: “There are many ways to travel sustainably to and around the town, helping to limit the impact on our local environment.
“Lyme Regis is accessible by rail, coach, road, air and sea and we would encourage, where possible, use of public transport to help reduce carbon emissions, air pollution and congestion on roads.”
They further added: “Lyme Regis is a small town and most places are easy to get to on foot or by bike. Many of the streets in the town are narrow and were not originally built for modern vehicles so congestion is an issue and parking can be a challenge.
“A park and ride operates on the outskirts of the town during the peak season and is an ideal way to take the hassle out of your visit, while also reducing the amount of vehicles and congestion in the town centre.
“The 71 town bus is a convenient way to get around town, stopping off in residential areas, in the town centre and near the medical centre.
“Operated by Damory, the service runs from just after 9am until just after 2pm, Mondays to Fridays, except bank holidays.”
