The Town Mill, Lyme Regis, Dorset
It’s well worth finding The Town Mill when you’re ambling about in Lyme Regis; it’s tucked away off the main street in the quieter part of town – a lot of people don’t know it’s there or don’t bother to explore off the main drag so they miss out because this is actually a rather special place.
The historic mill buildings and waterwheel here were in a more or less derelict state when they were rescued by a group of volunteers who formed The Town Mill Trust and set on an ambitious ten year project to renovate the site. The result is very, very impressive and like we say, just such a nice place to be. The mill buildings are centred around a cobbled courtyard and include a working watermill where you can take a tour, see the millers grinding flour and even buy a bag to take home to make your daily bread with. There are two art galleries with regularly changing exhibitions, and a handful of small artisan businesses have set up shop here, among them a silversmith and a microbrewery, so you get the general vibe.
Lyme Regis draws the crowds in the summer so of course, it can get busy down at The Town Mill; if you feel in need of a moment of calm take five in the Miller’s Garden. Go for tapas and drinks, or coffee and cake at Strawberry Tree, snucked away in the corner of the courtyard.
All information correct at the time of writing