The Old Watch House

Lyme Regis, Dorset
Self-catering
+44 (0)1305 262505
Visit owner's website

From
£93 - £120
per night
From
£650 - £800
per week

Such lovely views from this light-filled flat, built in the 19th century – curl up with a book and gaze out to sea

Bed

2 beds

Bedroom

1 bedroom

Sleeps

Sleeps 2

Pets welcome

£93 - £120 per night

£650 - £800 per week

The Experience

Coastguards once kept watch here. Now you can sit at the big sash windows, gaze on the enchanting historic harbour and watch waves pour over the Cobb. This whitewashed building, whose thick walls have been part of Lyme’s harbour front for 300 years, couldn’t be better placed for supplies of the day’s catch – the famous little fish shop is right downstairs.

From the welcoming little hall where shrimp nets and deckchairs await, a panelled stairway leads to the apartment on the first floor. Enter a delightful, double-aspect sitting room with two sofas, books, maps and magazines – you’ll feel immediately at home. The kitchen has everything you need for cooking; the bedroom, with its pretty, painted furniture and restful whites and creams, is a delicious place for a read in the late afternoon sun.

This is a wonderful place for restful seaside holidays in a grand position and you get a parking space just 50 metres away – gold dust in Lyme.

The Old Watch House - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • Having breakfast while watching the sun rise over the harbour in summer, lighting the wood-burner and watching the wild seas in winter
  • Being able to walk into town for shops, restaurants and cafés – leaving your car in its spot for the duration
  • Joining the Coast Path and heading west through the Undercliff or east along the Jurassic coastline with views towards Portland
The Old Watch House - Gallery

You should know

  • From the front door there are 14 steps (with handrails on both sides) up to the flat
  • Small dogs are welcome by arrangement between November and March
  • You’ll find two deckchairs to take onto the beach 50 yards away

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price
from £93
Weekly price
from £650
Surcharges
Extra bed/sofabed available at no charge.
1 House for 2
From £932 beds1 bedroom

Information

Special offer: Spend a few days gazing at the sea, walking along the shoreline, and take in some early Christmas shopping in the wonderful small town. 3 or 4 nights to relax and have fun.

Booking information

Check in
Flexible
Check out
By 9am
Other details
Minimum stay: 3 nights. 7 nights in high season. Children over 8 welcome.
Closed
Never.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.

Reviews

A delightful venue full of charm and history. From the apartment you can to enjoy watching activity across the harbour. There is direct access to the harbour and seafront with many places to eat and socialise. There is even a fresh fish shop next door. Convenient parking is nearby. It feels very homely and warm with comfortable furniture and fittings. The bedroom is luxurious with plenty of space for storage. The kitchen is very well equipped. The owner communicates well and is very helpful. Always a pleasure to return as it has felt like a second home over 18 years of visits.

Graham, Barlestone

Lovely, sizeable apartment in a superb position. We have visited Lyme many times but never before found a place to stay as good as this. The weather helped and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

David, Leeds

What a beautiful apartment! Felt at home as soon as we arrived. Even on rainy days the view made us happy! Really comfy bed and bedding, will be buying the same for home! WiFi didn’t really work unless you were sat right next to WiFi hub and tv signal was hit and Miss but we were aware of that. Nothing that ruined our stay, and we’ve booked for same time next year! THANKYOU xx

Sam and John, Maldon, Essex

We stayed for a week in The Old Watch House and it was a true delight. Everything inside is so carefully chosen and of the highest quality and standards. The Wet fish and Calico were much too tempting and we succumbed! We could not fault anything and will definitely be returning.

Beverley, Worthing

When we occasionally visit Lyme we often buy an ample supply of the so fresh fish, from the shop below The Old Watch House, so it was an extra treat to be able to stay here and self-cater. The accommodation was very comfortable, and the kitchen was well-equipped, making for an excellent week away post lockdown. The owner Sarah was very helpful with any queries we had, and the availability of a parking space, just up the road from the flat, was another real bonus bearing in mind how full Lyme car parks become during busy times. Definitely recommended.

Colin & Gill, West Somerset

We had a wonderful week at the end of August staying at the Watch House, what a find. Spotlessly clean, perfect location, everything you need in the property for your stay and most of all the most amazingly comfy bed and pillows! my husband and I slept so well it was so cosy we had a job to get up!!! if you are reading this review and thinking of booking a break in Lyme Regis this is the place to stay... walking distance to beach, bars, restaurants, the high street, amazing walks, the brewery etc.... you don't really need to use your car!!! free parking space too. Thanks Sarah

Louise, Burgess Hill

Better than described! We thoroughly enjoyed our week at The Old Watch House - wonderful position right opposite The Cobb in Lyme Regis - take binoculars as there is always something going on to be seen from the window!. The flat was clean, welcoming, spacious, and comfortable. Everything provided that we would need for our week away post lockdown - we re-lived many happy childhood memories of holidaying in Lyme. Local pubs organised outside areas for eating which were a short walk away. Fantastic ‘Wet Fish Shop’ right by! Couldn’t be better! Thank you. We are back in October!

Sally, Oxford

We stayed at The Old Watch House for a week to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. The location is fantastic. We spent hours just looking out of the window, wandering down to the beach, to the shops and local amenities. The flat is stylish, comfortable and well equipped. Having an allocated parking space a few minutes away is also a bonus. We loved Lyme Regis (even in October and during Covid restrictions!) We hope to return soon!

Sue, Norfolk

My sister and I used to come on holiday to Lyme as children and it has lost none of its charms. The Old Watch House was the perfect place to wallow in Lyme's delights. What a comfortable, well equipped and light apartment , with very friendly owners, and stunning views across the Cobb. Rain or shine there is a big picture window from which you can sit and watch the boats go by. A very special place that comes highly recommended.

Fiona, Bristol

Well furnished, spacious first floor flat with a wonderful view over the Cob. Flat walks along the beach and paths into the town, steep climbs behind. Short steep walk to car parking space. A really lovely place for an out of season break with plenty of activity to watch.

Ferriel, London

We have just come back from a week's break and it was a lovely property which made you feel at home.

Kay, Ripley

What a comfortable and relaxing apartment. So convenient for all shops. Would highly recommend this property.

Lesley, Birmingham

We had an absolutely fantastic stay in this beautiful and spacious apartment and we will definitely return. The Cobb is only a minute walk away. There is a view over the Cobb from the flat which is wonderful (both in the glorious sun and during the stormy weather!) and there are pubs, restaurants, take away food places and small convenience stores all within a 2 minute walk. My husband particularly appreciated being above a high-quality fishmonger! The main street with Tesco, fossil shops etc. is a lovely 10 minute stroll along the marine parade. I thoroughly recommend the apartment and Lyme!

Jennifer, Truro

If you like Lyme Regis and West Dorset, this is the perfect place for two. Quite simply.

Mark

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

Lyme is a really bustling place full of boats of all types and sizes, water sports of every kind and a lovely sandy beach. There are cafés, restaurants, the Lister Gardens, the Marine Theatre and the Philpot Museum. In Broad Street (a 10-min walk) you’ll find interesting shops and a good restaurant, Lilac.

Local points of interest from Sarah Wilkinson

  • Collect fossils millions of years old, or seashells on the seashore. Paddle your own canoe around the bay or just sit in a deck chair on the Monmouth Beach with your toes in the sea, listening to the waves and the cry of the gulls.
  • With your boots on, the wind in your hair and sun on your face, walk to Charmouth, on over Stonebarrow to Golden Cap, along the Fleet to Portland. Spot the Great Bustard in the reeds. Or head westward on the coast path through the Undercliff to the Axe.
  • From the sitting room watch Lyme's bustling little historic harbour with private boat hire, fishing & diving.. Watch the sail boats and the world go by, or hire ,a dinghy to sail round the bay or go mackerel fishing with Harry May.
  • Come back in the evening with fresh fish, crab&lobster caught daily from the award winning local wet fish shop downstairs Cook an unforgettable supper in our fabulous little kitchen and eat by candlelit storm lights. Watch the moon rising over the bay.
  • With wifi, click on the Philpott Museum, ,Google the National Trust, visit Historic Houses and National Gardens. Take a literary tour of Lyme from Jane Austen to John Fowles; walk in Eliza Musgrave's footsteps but don't trip on the Cobb...
  • Explore the Jurrasic coast and little streets of Lyme, eat dinner at Mark Hix or Hugh Fearnley's. Learn to build your own boat or have a game of Bowls on the Green. Swim as the sun rises and walk home in your towel for a hot shower and breakfast...