Hello
Welcome to The Garden House Studio, our clean-lined modern den,
set in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty on the
Jurassic Coast.
Please take a few minutes to read these notes and get acquainted with how the place works and other useful information like our favourite days out and things to do.
The kitchen is designed for simple easy-eating, please do use the barbeque it will give you more space and options.
We have a very small and over-friendly dog called Friday who may come and try to say hello. If you prefer to keep her out please close the gate!
At the end of your stay, it would be hugely appreciated if you could you put all sheets and towels into the blue Ikea laundry bag under the bed and put the dishwasher on.
If you have any questions that are not answered by the notes here, please call or text Vanessa 0771 3150943.
Do check the places we list are still open and what needs booking ahead as takeaway can need booking too.
Otherwise, enjoy!
What you Get in The Studio
All Bedding & towels and robes.
Toiletries – Body wash and soap. Hairdryer.
Washing up liquid & dishwasher tablets, foil, clean cloth, tea towel and cleaning spray.
Olive oil, salt & pepper, tea bags, ground coffee and sugar.
Logs and kindling for first wood fires. Honesty box for rest.
Free Wi-fi, smart TV.
How to Get Here
By Car:
Uplyme & Lyme Regis lie off the A35, between Bridport & Honiton.
Best to approach us from the ‘Hunters Lodge’ crossroads near the Devon/ Dorset border.
Come down a long hill of around 1.5miles until you get into the village of Uplyme, drive through the village past garage, pub and find a steep downhill turning left called Tappers Knapp.
Drive down the hill for around 0.3mile until you cross a small bridge, take the private turning right named Mill Lane.
Drive past private road sign and parking spaces on your left and then turn immediately left and immediately fork right, you will then see a driveway on your left for ‘The Garden House’ (it’s to the left of a big stone wall, with mesh fence and electric tall brown wooden gates at our neighbour Westernhay)
Drive up and after you swing left you will see the ‘Studio straight in front of you; carry on and park to the left of the ‘Studio beyond the fencing right in front of the deck steps. Walk up to the deck, the key will be in the door. Please leave the key under the stone when you leave.
Nearest train station is Axminster - 10 min drive - do book taxi ahead.
Dogs
Dogs are free to be on deck or on lead to walk to use toilet by the drive. Off lead okay at end of the drive on the footpath. Please pick up all waste and put in bin on the deck by the gate. No dogs on bed or sofa please and not left unattended. The deck is enclosed but parts are only chicken wire so eager to leave dogs please take care. Thank you!
How Things Work
Security - We have never had any security problems here, but would advise that you lock the 'Studio when you leave. You are responsible for the one key during your stay. Please don’t use car alarms, as the only thing likely to go near it in the night is a badger or deer!
WiFi – Password in studio. Bandwidth not big in the area but mostly okay.
Heating/ Woodstove - There is one electrical heater which is manually controlled with a simple dial; the woodstove is easy and very effective, we provide your first few fires kindling. Honesty box for the rest of the logs in the deck logstore. Don’t leave anything on the woodstove, hot!
Kitchen – Careful as the hot water can get very hot. When using microwave ensure metal tray has been removed. Metal is for grill function. Dishwasher tablet dispenser stiff – okay to leave open. Hob, switch timer on to make it work. Cooking equipment in bottom drawer below microwave. BBQ on deck, can use as an oven too, just use the 1st and 3rd burners. Always keep lid down. Use metal brush underneath to clean down after use (whilst still warm) and spare gas to left of BBQ.
Bins - There is a tall bin for general refuse and a shallow recycling bin for paper, glass, cans and plastics. These are situated on the garden-side of the 'Studio behind the barbecue.
Sauna – located adjacent to the studio via steps (private entrance). Cost £25 (lit) for 1hr time slot, cash or paypal vanessaceribarlow@gmail.com – just let us know 07713150943 preferred times nearer your arrival date (min 24 hours notice). Please ensure you also add to message that agree to take full personal responsibility for use of sauna.
Useful numbers
Taxis - (Lyme Taxis- 07900698569)Go Eco Taxis (01297 445 444)
Trains - Buses no 31 from the Talbot Arms on the Lyme Road goes to Lyme and Axminster station.
Doctors- 01297 445777 (drop in nurse/minor injury clinic)
Timings - Arrival after 3pm and check out by 10am
No Smoking inside The Studio please.
Walking from The Studio
There is a lovely level riverside walk which has been newly resurfaced to Lyme. Turn left at the end of the drive and continue down Mill Lane, following the river past the Old Mill where you bear right over a small footbridge into a field. Continue along the river. 25 mins. If needed catch the 31 bus back from the “clock tower car park” Lyme seafront. Ask driver to drop you at Tappers Knapp.
Parking - Lyme Regis can get busy on high days & holidays, if driving in high season we recommend you get there by 10am or park in the Holmbush car park (best price and most spaces) and walk down through the gardens to get the 'front.
Food Shopping
Local shop and garage – good village shop and for newspapers. Walk there in 5 mins: Turn right at the end of the drive and cross Tappers Knapp, continue along footpath until meet main Lyme Road and then turn right. Local pub here also. Choose simple food, they have nice wine.
Various stores including great deli Cibo, small Coop and Tesco, Broad Street, Lyme Regis plus great fishshop at Cobb end of seafront. Okay butchers on High Street – Colyton Butchers. Ideally go to Millers or Felicity’s for meat.
Millers Farm shop, Kilmington (A35 just past Axminster)
Felicity’s Farm Shop, Morecombelake (A35 on way to Bridport)
Bridport – Waitrose and a great street market Weds and Sats.
Axminster – larger Tesco and a Coop. Good market Thursday am.
Eating Out
Do book ahead.
SWIM – bar/café on seafront by sandy beach. Lively, good drinks and easy food, burgers et al.
Alexandra Hotel- for afternoon tea or g’n’t’s great lawn with view.
Oyster and Fish House – was Hix (but still owned by Mark Hix) – stunning views and seafood. Expensive but special occasion.
Strawberry Tree – great value tapas and good food and wine in a beautiful space in the Town Mill.
Lilac Wine –wine bar, amazing food – small plates and local ingredients, cosy basement setting. Can just drop by for glass of wine at bar.
Poco Pizza- On the sandy beach on the 1st floor next to Janes café. Woodfired pizza. Book to eat in as gets busy. Take away too (bookable on the day). Also pop up takeout pizza on Thursdays – Chariots of Fire – parked near Travis Perkins, Lyme Rd. V good.
Tom’s – on the seafront, modern British food.
Kiosk – fab coffee and sandwiches/cakes right on the seafront by the beach huts.
Red Panda – bottom of Broad St, delicious bao buns, rice and salads to take away at lunchtime only and some weekend eves.
River Cottage Café and HQ - HQ must be booked. Cafe just show up for lunch or breakfast/coffee (holiday days best get there soon after 12 o/c for lunch)
Further a-field;
Soulshine, Bridport – a favourite, relaxed well priced small plates and drinks, outside patio.
Brassica, Beaminster, great food, need to book.
Dorshi, Bridport (by Bull Hotel) great fun Asian restaurant.
Hive Cafe on Burton Bradstock beach, no booking and can be busy. Great fish.
Watchhouse on beach East side at West Bay, sister to The Hive (cheaper).Good.
RISE – sister restaurant to SWIM in West Bay.
Sladers Yard, West Bay – great café in a beautiful art gallery with delicious cake and simple lunches.
Pubs – The Harbour Inn, Lyme Regis seafront (sandy beach end). Great seafront setting and good food. Open 7 days.
The Talbot Arms, Uplyme (River walk near village shop, see above). Basic pub, nice beer garden. Good for a drink the night you arrive or simple food. Sunday cavery.
Tyerleigh Arms between Axminster and Chard, fantastic food, 25 min drive.
The Masons Arms, Branscombe – good food and outdoor seating.
Good walk to beach from here. 15 min drive.
The Anchor, Seatown – good food and great location. Walk on Golden cap too, short walk away. Book as gets busy. Also has pizza on the beach.
Beaches
Lyme Regis; 5 beaches, from tidal rock pooling to super sand. See map. The most easterly and Westerly beaches take dogs in high season.
Charmouth; Fossiling, surfing and walking. Dogs at easterly end in high season.
Seatown – Shingle beach , hidden away with pub.
Burton Bradstock – Great beach with amazing Hive Café.
Beer; picturesque Devon bay with cafes on the seafront and freshly caught fish for sale.
Branscombe – good getaway from the crowds. Nice café.
Walks
Plenty to enjoy! The South West Coastal path is always a winner. Best spots to join it:
Lyme Regis (from end of Holmbush carpark) and walk towards Seaton. Take picnic or turn round and head back. Seaton – good fish and chips at Frydays just off the main seafront and fab new Hideaway Café at West end of seafront promenade.
Stonebarrow, Charmouth – great cliff top walk and can head towards Seatown. Café open occasionally. Seatown – The Anchor Inn.
West Bay to Burton Bradstock via the cliff on the East beach.
Eat at Watchhouse in West Bay or Hive café in Burton.
Park at Golden Cap/Langdon Woods, turn right just after Felicitys Farmshop in Morecombelake, then first left signed Langdon Woods. Walk to Golden Cap and then down to The Anchor Inn in Seatown for lunch or drink.
In land -
Lamberts Castle – Marshwood Vale off the Chard Road north of the A35, 15 min drive. Beautiful flat walk with stunning views. Drink at Bottle Inn Marshwood, traditional Dorset pub, curry bus on Fridays. Or head further inland to Tytherleigh Arms (book ahead).
Beer to Branscombe – stunning cliff top walk from Beer Head to Branscombe (café on Branscombe beach) and park on Beer Head cliff car park (the long stay at the top of town, drive length of high st and bear left).