We've toured extensively on the South Coast, visiting exciting resorts like Brighton and Bournemouth, regal Rye and enjoyable Hastings and chilling Selsey near Chichester and wonderful Weymouth to name a few.
We've even used Brixham as a base to visit Torquay and Dartmouth, a stylish resort which we loved, and enjoyed Padstow even in the height of summer.
Lyme Regis on the English Channel coast on the Dorset/Devon border had been missed so we put that right this year and we were not disappointed.
The tourism hype claimed it was The Pearl of Dorset.
They were not wrong. We found this relaxing resort ideal as a base for touring and have recommended it to parents with a young family.
The well-maintained beach, with lifeguards on patrol, and the adjacent harbour with boat and fishing trips plus other water-based attractions, as well as a marine life museum, is a mecca.
A varied and interesting selection of bars and restaurants – some old some new - serving fish and chips plus pizza and shellfish, hug the seafront.
There is also a superb fishmonger near the harbour, known as the Cobb, which was built in the 13th-century, who even offers ice to those who wish to take fish home after their stay.
The cliffs around the town house fossils dating back to the Jurassic period and local scientist Mary Anning found the world's first ichthyosaur here in the 19th-century.
Nearby Chesil Beach, 18 miles long and derived from Old English meaning gravel or shingle, offers fishing for anglers of all abilities.
The list of target species is extensive and access if easy. Anglers travel long distances to fish here and The Tackle Shop in Lyme Regis offers advice and tackle.
How to get there
By car, 3hr 36min from London via M25, M3 and A303. It is 25 miles west of Dorchester and 25 miles east of Exeter and you can arrive by bus (Lyme Regis to Dorchester, pick-up bus at Co-op store in Lyme Regis, then Dorchester to London's Victoria Coach Station, journey around 6hr 36min). This is the cheapest option.
Train is (3hr 13min to 3hr 56min every hour until just after 8pm from £23.96 single) from London Waterloo to Axminster, five miles north of Lyme Regis and the towns are connected by the X53 bus route. Distance from London 150.6miles.
St Andrews House
St Andrews House, which until the late 1970's was the former boys' boarding house which accommodated up to 60 pupils, dates to the mid-1850's and has been extensively renovated on a number of occasions.
Fiona and Jon offer four four individually-designed, double en-suite rooms, ours was comfortable but the bed small, to provide a modern bed and breakfast.
Several of the rooms offer extensive views across Lyme Bay, The Jurassic Coast and the iconic Golden cap, the highest point on the South Coast of England.
I can pay no bigger compliment to Fiona and Jon – who are ideal hosts – than to say we were made to feel at home.
The outdoor swimming pool on a terrace with a great view – yes, I did take a dip and it was wonderfully refreshing – was an added attraction after the initial shock, and so was the full-sized snooker table on which I convinced myself I had no talent whatsoever for the sport.
The house also has an extensive library and was are a 15 minute uphill walk to the sensational seafront in Lyme Regis.
There, you will find a wide choice of cafes, bars and restaurants and takeaways. Try the freshly-baked pasties from Mulberry Manor on Broad Street near the clock but beware the seagulls if you are eating them outside.
As for food, our breakfast at St Andrews House was perfectly presented and cooked.
Fiona and Jon could not have been more helpful with advice on where to eat and where to go and we found the B&B a perfect base to explore the Jurassic coastline of West Dorset and East Devon.
Eating out
Mariners Hotel and Restaurant
The Mariners Hotel and Restaurant was minutes from our B&B and, as we had been driving for a part of a really hot day, and the thought of climbing back up the steep hill from the town centre and The Cobb harbour did not appeal.
We were glad we ventured into the 17th-century hotel with is a six-minute walk (uphill) from the lovely beach which is on the South West Coastal Path.
The low ceiling and intimate bar set the tone. We needed to chill and this restaurant seemed ideal.
The white walls and tasteful artefacts plus the eclectic mix of music added to the feel and our welcoming waitress presented a pleasing and varied menu.
It featured locally-sourced fish as well as West Country meat and the five starters provided a varied choice.
We side-stepped them and moved to the mains.
Roasted lamb chump with a Dijon mustard crumb plus cauliflower puree, Dauphinoise potato and pea fricassee was tempting.
Wild mushroom and black garlic open lasagne with parmesan with poached egg and truffle oil also attracted attention as did the moules and frites in a classic mariniere sauce.
But, I plumped for baked fillets of seabass with layered crab, lime cured fennel, pickled cucumber, turned new potatoes and mango, chili and coriander salsa. It was suberb with the subtle flavours all coming through.
The layered crab between the two filets of fish reacted beautifully with the fennel and cucumber tower and salsa. I fine dish.
The pork fillet stuffed with local black pudding and rolled plus pomme puree, leeks, apples and cider jus was also a winner.
Once again the flavour was allowed to come through in each element and the interaction made this another winner.
We washed this down with a refreshing and fruity Romanian wine. A superb meal which was topped off by an iced strawberry parfait with piped Italian meringue, crisp meringue shards and strawberries.
This cosy restaurant was packed and no wonder. It is easy to find so do pop in. We were not disappointed.
Takeaway
Mulberry Manor
We'd walked along the seafront at lovely Lyme Regis and also to The Cobb Harbour, thoroughly enjoying the experience.
It was 25C and needed refreshment and something to eat, but not too much then it dawned.
We are in pasty country and as we started to climb the steep main street, the shaded side, we spotted the red and yellow Mulberry Manor sign.
There was a queue and we considered elsewhere but the smell emanating from the small bakery was inviting.
We waited and we were rewarded with traditional Dorset pasties straight from the oven. They were blisteringly hot.
By the way, sources indicate that the difference between a Dorset and Cornish pasty is that the Devon one is oval and has a crimped top. The Cornish one is semi-circular and side-crimped.
They were packed with meat and vegetables under a delicious pastry.
Pasties have been enjoyed by royalty but they were also popular with tin miners as they could be carried easily and eaten without cutlery.
They are still much sought-after and not just by locals and tourists. A brazen seagull actually tried to snatch the paper bag carrying the meal from our grasp.
Thankfully, we went our separate ways but do beware the birds. Notices not to feed them are noted around the resort and the gulls seem to be on aconstant food alert.
Oh, the food. Excellent value and taste. Recommended. There are plenty of others around.
Attractions
The Town Mill, Lyme Regis
There has been a mill on the location since 1340 but it fell into disrepair.
Restoration by the Town Mill Trust followed and the area re-opened in 2001 and now houses a range of activites.
Milling of corn stands side-by-side with pottery, a local brewery, art gallery, a café and other retail. It is a delightful spot.
The River Lim Path from Uplyme to Lyme Regis
Here you can discover the history of the area, old mills and wildlife by walking along the restored footpath which is easy to follow.
This path also forms part of the Est Devon Way which leads to Exmouth and the Wessex Ridgeway.
Distances are either 1.5km or 2.4km. One point to note is that you can't cycle on the whole length of the path.
Mills and makers
There were seven mills in the Lim Valley in the 18th-century and one cloth drying stove.
The main products were woollen cloth, silk thread, linseed oil, oil cake, twine, rope, nets, flour, leather and electric lightbulb filaments.
Abbotsbury Children's Farm
Situated in a smugglers barn, children can cuddle guinea pigs, ride ponies and bottle feed baby goats.
Lyme Regis Aquarium
The exhibits include nautical artefacts and discover close up local fish and marine life.
Beer Quarry Caves
Beer Quarry Caves at Seaton offer guided hour-long tours through caves with vaulted roofs and pillars of Beer Stone.
Crealy Adventure Park
Crealy Adventure Park in Exeter has three play-areas with slides, climbing nets, ball pools, mazes and an under-five's soft play. Also, animal barns and large outdoor play equipment and rides.
The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth
We were intrigued by The Donkey Sanctuary. Dr Elisabeth Svendsen founded the society in 1969 after being appalled at the treatment of donkeys and the most visible success is the donkeys living in the 50-year-old, award-winning sanctuary.
It boasts an exhibition barn, an interactive journey and an understanding donkeys zone.
Daily talks, demonstrations and tours are organised and there are scenic farm trails through the sanctuary and down to the sea.
However, the work of the activists is not only concentrated at Sidmouth. They also devote themselves to helping the 40-plus million donkeys living outside the UK.
www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/sidmouth
Literary links
Jane Austen visited Lyme Regis twice and stayed in Broad Street. She wrote Persuasion in the town and the BBC filmed a drama on location in the town.
John Fowles lived in the town and wrote novels including The French Lieutentna's Woman which is centred on the town.
The film was made in and around Lyme Regis starring Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons.
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson is a children's book published by Beatrix Potter who spent a holiday in the town when she was 17.
Market days
Markets are held in various villages and towns around Lyme Regis including Axminster, Blandford, Bridport, Dorchester, Honiton, Sherborne, Swanage and Weymouth on various days during the week.
Selected wet weather activities
Axminster Heritage Centre
Visitors can discover the Axminster Story in Thomas Whitty's carpet factory.
Bridport Museum
The Coach House, Gundry Lane, Bridport DT6 3RU. It tells the story of the town's history with displays on artefacts from a nearby Roman hill-fort and the rope and net making industries.
Dinosaurland
This is a private museum with a spectacular collection of local marine fossils. It is claimed to be the best fossil collection on public display in South-West England.
Dorchester Dinosaur Museum
Lif-sized reconstructions of dinosaurs with fossils and skeletons. Multi-media displays tells the story of the giant prehistoric animals.
Dorchester Teddy Bear Museum
From the earliest antique teddy bears to today's TV favourites.
Haynes Motor museum
Over 400 cars and bikes including Bentley, Rolls Rouce and supercars are housed here and it claims to be the UK's largest exhibition of cars from around the world.
Lyme Regis Museum
Lyme's early maritime history important geology, fossils and significant writers connected with the town.
Historic houses
Hardy's birthplace
A cob and thatch cottage where Hardy was born and wrote his early novels.
Montacute House
Glittering mansion with Elizabethan elegance and housing the longest Long Gallery with over 60 portraits from the National Portrait Gallery.
Soft indoor play
Pecorama
Amulti-tiered for children up to 12. Model rail exhibition and refreshments.
Playdome
A soft indoor lay area for babies and young children with a café and salon. Full air-conditioned.
Activities
Fossil hunting
Only at low tide so check tide times. Fossils show up better in the rain.
The Tackle Box
This well-stocked shop is on the doorstep of Chesil Beach, one of the most popular beach fishing destinations in the UK.
The shop stocks quality fresh and frozen baits most major brands of tackle including Zziplex, Penn, Abu Garcia, Savage Gear, Mitchell, SeaSpin, Sidewinder, Berkley, Shakespeare, Okuma, Yokozuna, AnyfishAnywhere, Sebile, SpiderWire and many more.
They also provide great advice and have starter sets for the novice as well as high end rods and reels, accessories and lures. They could not have been more helpful.
Bait and Tackle Deliveries free of charge between Lyme Regis and Chard.