THINGS TO DO IN THE LOCAL AREA
Set in a tranquil location of orchards and fields Hogchester Cottage is also incredibly accessible - its long driveway linked directly to the A35. It's a five minute drive to the pretty Charmouth beaches and ten minutes to the centre of the historic harbour town of Lyme Regis with its famous Cobb and fossil-packed beach and cliffs.
River Char running into the sea at Charmouth
CHARMOUTH
Charmouth is a unspoilt traditional village with a wonderful family beach. Charmouth beach is a mix of sand and pebbles, fossils, clean sea, safe swimming with nearby parking. The beach is divided into two by the mouth of the River Char which is often dammed by the beach forming a lagoon suitable for boating or watching the many ducks and swans.
The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre has lots of displays that can help you discover how to find your very own fossils to take home. They also run guided Fossil Walks throughout the year. The beach is an UNESCO world heritage site.
Charmouth is a unspoilt traditional village with a wonderful family beach. Charmouth beach is a mix of sand and pebbles, fossils, clean sea, safe swimming with nearby parking. The beach is divided into two by the mouth of the River Char which is often dammed by the beach forming a lagoon suitable for boating or watching the many ducks and swans.
The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre has lots of displays that can help you discover how to find your very own fossils to take home. They also run guided Fossil Walks throughout the year. The beach is an UNESCO world heritage site.
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LYME REGIS
As part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site Lyme is a must for anyone interested in geology, history or stunning coastal scenery. Visit the Aquarium, Dinosaur Museum, the historic Cobb, go on a fossil hunt or stroll through the beautiful Langmoor Gardens. Wander the historic streets and visit the working watermill in the old town with it’s fabulous bakery, cheesemonger and gift shops. There's always something going on in the town including the Lifeboat week, the Regatta, the Carnival and the Fossil Festival. There are shows at The Marine Theatre, the smallest public theatre in Britain and children can enjoy Front Beach and Cobb Gate beach which are perfect for sandcastle building. The main beach is pebbly with plenty of rockpools for crabbing at low tide. Finish your day with fresh seafood at Hix Oyster & Fish House which overlooks the harbour and boasts the most stunning panoramic views across the Jurassic coast. |
Lyme Regis in Winter
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AXMINSTER & BRIDPORT
We always recommend a lunch trip at The Old Dairy Kitchen at nearby Trill farm to our guests. Chris Onions is an amazing chef and hosts fantastic Wednesday farm lunches, Saturday lunches and special "feast" events.
Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's famous River Cottage is a 10 minute drive from Hogchester Cottage and offers a fantastic selection of cookery courses and dinners. There's also the award winning River Cottage Canteen & Deli in Axminster 5 miles away. If you are there on a Thursday check out the weekly street market.
The market town of Bridport is 8 miles away with a choice of some great places to eat and the Art and Vintage Quarter which has plenty of antiques shop to browse. It has a popular street market on Saturdays and Wednesdays, a monthly farmers' market, and Bridport's Vintage Market on the last Sunday of every month.
We always recommend a lunch trip at The Old Dairy Kitchen at nearby Trill farm to our guests. Chris Onions is an amazing chef and hosts fantastic Wednesday farm lunches, Saturday lunches and special "feast" events.
Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's famous River Cottage is a 10 minute drive from Hogchester Cottage and offers a fantastic selection of cookery courses and dinners. There's also the award winning River Cottage Canteen & Deli in Axminster 5 miles away. If you are there on a Thursday check out the weekly street market.
The market town of Bridport is 8 miles away with a choice of some great places to eat and the Art and Vintage Quarter which has plenty of antiques shop to browse. It has a popular street market on Saturdays and Wednesdays, a monthly farmers' market, and Bridport's Vintage Market on the last Sunday of every month.
MORE TO EXPERIENCE
The beautiful coast road to Weymouth and Portland runs beside Chesil Beach, an eighteen mile long natural shingle bank, protects the Fleet Lagoon which is home to many wading birds and wildlife. The natural harbour and the castle at Lulworth Cove can be found just beyond Weymouth.
To the west are the coastal towns of Seaton with its narrow gauge tram, Sidmouth, and Budleigh Salterton. Exmouth provides a wider variety of shopping and entertainment, as well as it's sandy beaches and lovely views along the Exe estuary.
The National Trust has many properties in Dorset and South Devon which can be visited with membership or day tickets. The larger towns of Exeter, Taunton, Honiton and Dorchester are all within easy reach.
In Beaminster you can experience Llama trekking or Badger watching and you can get your binoculars out at Lambert's Castle for some excellent birdwatching.
Within an hours drive are day trips to Escot Park, Crealy Adventure Park and World of Country Life. The Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth is always popular whilst Bicton Botanical Gardens is perfect for the whole family.
Keen walkers or cyclists won’t be disappointed as there are plenty of paths in the area including The East Devon Way and the South West Coastal path.
The beautiful coast road to Weymouth and Portland runs beside Chesil Beach, an eighteen mile long natural shingle bank, protects the Fleet Lagoon which is home to many wading birds and wildlife. The natural harbour and the castle at Lulworth Cove can be found just beyond Weymouth.
To the west are the coastal towns of Seaton with its narrow gauge tram, Sidmouth, and Budleigh Salterton. Exmouth provides a wider variety of shopping and entertainment, as well as it's sandy beaches and lovely views along the Exe estuary.
The National Trust has many properties in Dorset and South Devon which can be visited with membership or day tickets. The larger towns of Exeter, Taunton, Honiton and Dorchester are all within easy reach.
In Beaminster you can experience Llama trekking or Badger watching and you can get your binoculars out at Lambert's Castle for some excellent birdwatching.
Within an hours drive are day trips to Escot Park, Crealy Adventure Park and World of Country Life. The Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth is always popular whilst Bicton Botanical Gardens is perfect for the whole family.
Keen walkers or cyclists won’t be disappointed as there are plenty of paths in the area including The East Devon Way and the South West Coastal path.
Summary 2023
Things to do and places to eat around Hogchester!
Things to do and places to eat around Hogchester!
- Beaches: Charmouth is nearest, followed by Lyme Regis, both are great for swimming. Seatown is also a good swim spot and not far away, as is the similar sounding but very different Seaton, 20 minutes’ drive into Devon. Paddleboards/kayaks for hire at Lyme Regis and Seaton
- Dinosaurland in Lyme Regis (a private quirky dino museum)
- Lyme Regis museum (great for a rainy day, some interactive aspects)
- Fossil walks at Charmouth
- Lyme Regis marine aquarium
- Mini/crazy golf at Lyme Regis
- The Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth (there’s a decent café here too)
- Cinema at Sidmouth
- Seaton Tramway (takes you across Seaton Wetlands from Colyton to Seaton)
- Golden Cap estate (National Trust) for stunning walks, with parking at ‘Stonebarrow’ very close to Charmouth village, or walk up from Hogchester (small trailer café at Stonebarrow for coffee/cake)
- Mackerel fishing at Lyme Regis (various boats will take you out to do this)
- The Tunnel Tree Tops / archery experiences (their woodland adjoins Hogchester)
- Burrow Farm Gardens
- Dartmoor, with its beautiful walks and wild swim spots is about an hour away
- Pubs: Anchor Inn at Seatown, Pilot Boat or Rock Point Inn in Lyme Regis
- Amid Giants & Idols for good coffee/cake in Lyme Regis
- The Garden Café at Downhouse Farm at Eype (park there or even nicer is to park at Eype Beach and walk up the hillside)
- Poco Pizza at Lyme Regis
- Swim at Lyme Regis
- Rise at West Bay (sister restaurant to Swim)
- The Galley Café in Lyme Regis
- Soul Shine in Bridport
- The Red Brick Café in Bridport
- The Town Mill bakery/café in Lyme Regis
- The Bank café in Charmouth
- Charmouth Fish Bar in Charmouth
- Red Panda in Lyme Regis (Asian ‘Street Food’, great Bao Buns and salads and we recommend the quite addictive crispy chilli oil, which you can buy in a jar to take home)
- Italia in Lyme Regis
- Kim Klans for Thai food in Bridport (good tempura veg and Thai curries)
- River Cottage Kitchen
- Dorshi in Bridport
- Largigi in Lyme Regis (Thai in the evening, cake and other food during the day)
- The Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis
- Golden House (Chinese restaurant and takeaway) in Axminster
- Safar (Indian restaurant and takeaway) in Axminster
- Lal Quila (Indian restaurant and takeaway) in Lyme Regis
- Beach & Badger café in Lyme Regis (coffee, cake, pies)
- Baboo ice-creams (they have a kiosk and a shop in Lyme Regis, and a kiosk at West Bay and at Felicity’s Farm shop)
- Farm Shops: Felicity’s at Morcomelake and Millers at Kilmington