Unique self catering accommodation in the Undercliff, near Lyme Regis, Dorset

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Unique self catering accommodation in the Undercliff, near Lyme Regis, Dorset.

The Undercliff Studio is set in a uniquely peaceful location.

It is on the Dorset Devon border and within the World Heritage Site known as The Jurassic Coast.

It is especially suitable for walkers, birdwatchers and artists.

Five minutes walk away is a private beach, Charton Bay, with excellent swimming and fishing (path to beach is steep).

The studio uses solar power and spring water.

Suitable for a couple or a single person. Dogs welcome.

A broadband wifi connection is available.

Its position, deep within an idyllic eight mile wide nature reserve, means there is no light pollution so the star-gazing at night is incomparable.

The studio is very close to the coastal path walk where visitors can walk east through the Undercliff to the historic town of Lyme Regis or west to the family resort of Seaton.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage shop and canteen is about two miles away.

Axminster Station is a 15 minute drive away. Three hours by car from west London.

Being situated within a National Nature Reserve, The Studio is surrounded by wildlife. The abundance of birds is immediately apparent.

There are the larger, woodland birds - Buzzards, Ravens, Owls - Screech Owls, Barn Owls and Little Owls and the many smaller birds that we see regularly.

Little Owl

There are Greater and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Blue tits, Marsh tits, Long Tailed tits and Coal tits.

The mixed woodland encourages many types of bird, some which only visit irregularly and some which stay all year.

Winter visitors include Nuthatches, Tree Creepers, Dunnocks, Gold Finches, Chaffinches, the occasional Black Cap, Wrens and of course Robins.

There are also the free range chickens that will provide fresh eggs for visitors when there is a surplus.

The Undercliff is a 'Minimum Intervention' nature reserve which means that there are many areas that are completely inaccessible to people. Consequently it is teeming with wild life.

The Undercliff is well known for its wildlife. We regularly see roe deer, pheasants, badgers and rabbits.

The Munkjack deer are far more elusive but definitely here.

Hares are often seen in the Spring and we get newts, slow worms and plenty of other native species.

There are many types of butterflies, moths and other insects. In the Spring there are carpets of bluebells, primroses and wild garlic.

Dolphins have been seen in Lyme Bay during August and we have seen the occasional grey seal in Charton Bay.

There are numerous wrecks along the Dorset/Devon coastline and one is so close to shore in Charton Bay that it can be seen at low tide. At exceptionally low tides the wreck can be accessed from the beach.

In 1896 an Italian wooden barque on its way from Borga to Seville was caught in a force 9 gale and eventually broken in two by the force of the waves. She foundered on a rock midway between Culverhole Point and the centre of Charton Bay.

Captain Bertolotto and his crew of 16 all safely reached the shore in their own boats and the cargo – cut soft wood – littered the coastline for miles to the west and east.

shipwreck on Charton Bay
This photograph was taken on 11th March 2009 from Charton Bay. Tide times available on request