Local Amenities
Dorset offers a wide variety of things to do and see whilst visiting on holiday.
The 88 miles of the world heritage coastline will provide ample opportunity for walkers wishing to take advantage of Dorset’s favourable climate. Similarly, photographers and artists will wish to capture images of the rolling hills, cliff faces and dramatic seascapes.
We have dedicated a page to fossils but the coast also offers other forms of recreation such as sailing, wind-surfing, fishing, diving, and climbing.
A month by month diary of events is available throughout the year. This is a great place to see what's on during winter breaks and for planning ahead.
Location
Vine Cottage is located at the junction between Queens Walk, a recent residential development, and The Street, which is the main street of the village.
Its location makes it perfect for access to the local shops, restaurants, pubs and recreation facilities.
Shopping
There are good stores on hand with a pharmacy, hairdresser and a Nisa local grocery store, which is a family run store offering local products from local suppliers and open seven days a week until 9pm. There is little need to bring food with you as opening times are extensive.
Morgan’s of Charmouth is a comprehensive newsagent which also supplies beach items such as buckets and spades and some items of hardware.
There are also supermarkets such as Tesco in Axminster. Waitrose and Morrisons can be found in Bridport. There are farm shops: Felicity’s Farm Shop in Morcombelake (2.8 miles) and Washingpool Farm and Café in Bridport (7.6 miles). Both have a good range of local fresh fruit, vegetables, provisions and meats.
Food & Drink
Whether you are looking for a more formal restaurant, good pub food or fish and chips, all are available in the area and some within a few minutes walk or drive from Vine Cottage.
The Old Bank Cafe on The Street and The George and The Royal Oak, both on The Street, serve good food. The George has a play area at the rear for children. Charmouth Fish Bar & restaurant is just steps away. More formal dining restaurants are available in nearby Axminster, Lyme Regis and other villages along the coast.
For picnics by the beach, there are picnic tables by the beach car park where one can enjoy looking out to sea with the backdrop of Stonebarrow Hill.
Children
There is a children’s playground within five minutes’ walk and the beach in Charmouth is child friendly. Charmouth West Beach, otherwise known as 'The Jurassic Coast', is an extremely scenic 'Blue Flag’ beach that stretches for two miles with intervening rock pools between Black Venn and Golden Cap, and this is where fossils can be found.
Golf
For Golf enthusiasts, the Lyme Regis Golf Club is just on the outskirts of Charmouth and is open to non-members. They have a good website which provides details of the club and helpful information for visitors.