There's a walking festival in Lyme Regis from 9th-16th Feb 2013. Join Natalie Manifold from Literary Lyme, it's the first time for the festival, but already there is an excited buzz it's creating.

Tours include Jane Austen tours, Mary Anning tours, French Lieutenant's Woman tours, Jurassic Coast tours and more.

Here are some of the events being held.
History of the Cobb - Tales of Smuggling, War, Trade and Jane Austen - the history of the Cobb - everything from its early structure to the ghosts said to haunt the ancient wall.
Saturday 16th Feb 2013 11am Walk lasts 30-40 mins £3.50
Meet at the lifeboat station, The Cobb
Book with Literary Lyme Walking Tours
www.literarylyme.co.uk
natalie.manifold@hotmail.co.uk
07763974569


Nature of the Lym Valley
A leisurely walk up the river Lym, hearing about the local wildlife and see the mill featured in 'The Tale of Little Pig Robinson' by Beatrix Potter. This really is a picturesque walk and we finish the walk with a trip to Uplyme village pub.
Sunday 10th Feb 1.30pm Walk lasts 1½-2 hours £8
Meet by the metal anchor, next to the Rock Point Inn
Book with Literary Lyme Walking Tours
www.literarylyme.co.uk

 

Architecture of the Undercliff - Walk along the south west coast path Lyme Regis to Axmouth or Seaton. This 8 mile woodland walk goes through the largest nature reserve in the country - said to be the closest to a jungle in the UK. Discover the literary locations and the history of long forgotten civilisations in this secret place.
Friday 15th Feb 2013 8am  Walk lasts all day. £20
Meet at The Regent Cinema, Lyme Regis
Book with Literary Lyme Walking Tours
www.literarylyme.co.uk

 

Mary Anning Tours - Mary Anning was born in Lyme Regis in 1799. The daughter of a carpenter, she became one of the greatest fossil hunters, being the first to uncover a complete Ichthyosaur. Mary Anning went on to discover a great many more important species, such as the Dimorphodon. The Mary Anning walk explores her life and times.

Saturday 9th & 16th Feb 2013 1.30pm
Walk lasts 1½ hours. £6
Book and Meet at Lyme Regis Museum
walks@lymeregismuseum.co.uk
01297 443370


I can recommend the book Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier.
This is a really lovely novel and creates the scenic Lyme of olden days. An interesting period of scientific discovery and history, its charts the friendship between Mary Anning, a working-class fossil hunter in Lyme Regis, and Elizabeth Philpot, a gentlewoman fallen on hard times who becomes a fossil hunter in her own right. It also highlights the difficulties that women in the scientific community must have faced in the fight to be taken seriously.