Natural England - Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs NNR

Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs NNR

Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs NNR has been shaped by past and present day landslips.

Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs NNR

County: Devon

Main habitats: Woodland, Lowland Grassland

Area: Unknown

Site map: Nature on the Mapexternal link.

The site is part of Sidmouth to West Bay Special Area of Conservationexternal link (SAC) for its vegetated sea cliffs, and is part of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The site is internationally important for its geology, fossils, geomorphology and a mosaic of habitats including bare ground, grasslands and woodlands. The best time to visit the site is during spring, for flowers and nesting birds.

Download a leaflet describing this NNRexternal link.

For more information on the geology of this region, go to the Axmouth-Lyme Regis Undercliffs page in the geology section of this website, or visit the Jurassic Coastexternal link website.

Location and access

The reserve is a 10 km costal strip between the towns of Seaton and Lyme Regis.

We encourage the use of sustainable transport whenever possible.

By train

The nearest train station is in Axminsterexternal link (10 km to the north west of Lyme Regis).

By bus

Bus services from Axminster to Lyme Regis, and from Lyme Regis to Seaton along the A3052 are provided by First Groupexternal link.

By car

The A3052 runs parallel to the reserve and a coastal footpath can be accessed from the A3052 by minor roads and tracks. There are car parks in Lyme Regis and Seaton.

On foot

A National Trail, the South West Coast Pathexternal link runs the entire length of the reserve.

A walk through the whole reserve is physically demanding due to the difficult terrain. Visitors who prefer a shorter walk are advised to follow the trail from Lyme Regis to Pinhay Cliffs (a distance of 1.5 km) and back again.

Boat trips

Boats offering trips along this coastline operate from the towns of Beerexternal link (1 km west of Seaton) and Lyme Regisexternal link.

Facilities

The nearest toilet and refreshment facilities are in Lyme Regis and Seaton.