Monument record MDO1581 - Sea Wall, Lyme Regis

Remains of a substantial wall found during trenching work in 1985. Running roughly north-east/south-west, it extended for 2m in depth and was approximately 1m across and was constructed of large blocks of local Lias. The largest block weighed 1-2cwt. The wall showed a herring bone pattern and the blocks were mortared, some blocks were faced. The wall isn't on nineteenth century maps of Lyme and its position would block normal access to the Cobb so it may predate the joining of her Cobb to the mainland; work which was completed in 1756. This may be the wall erected round Cobb hamlet that was destroyed in the great storm of 1824

'Wall at Lyme Regis. In October 1985 a trench for a new sewer cut into the road just west of the lifeboat house at the Cobb, Lyme Regis revealed the remains of a substantial wall running roughly north-east/south-west. It extended for some 2 m in depth and was not bottomed. It was about 1 m across, constructed of large blocks of the local Liass, the largest of which weighed 1-2 cwt. They appeared to be laid herring-bone fashion, and were mortared. Some blocks were faced. Only the south-eastward side of the wall was exposed, and it was buried in a seemingly later mixture of topsoil and shingle.

The wall is not shown on the 1824 or 1841 maps of Lyme, and since it would block the present normal access to the Cobb it seems likely that it predates the joining of the Cobb to the land. This was attempted in 1701 and successfully completed in 1756. No artefacts were found in association with the wall. A map and photographs indicating its exact position has been deposited in the Dorset County Museum.' {1}

It may be the remains of a wall erected around Cobb hamlet by Mr Coade to protect the area upon which the southern range of houses was constructed. The wall was swept away in the great storm of 1824 (2).

<1> Fowles, J, 1985, Wall at Lyme Regis. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeology Society, 174 (Article in serial). SWX7640.

<2> Roberts, G, 1834, The History and Antiquities of the Borough of Lyme Regis and Charmouth, 175 (Monograph). SWX1186.

Record last edited

Aug 23 2024 11:38AM