The Museum stands in the heart of the town, just where the beautiful coastlines of Dorset and Devon meet. The building has great idiosyncratic charm. Built in 1900-01 by Thomas Philpot it was badly dilapidated by 1991, and a major scheme of reconstruction and extension followed by new displays throughout, has recently been completed. From the beginning, the Museum has been run entirely by volunteers, a tradition we still cherish today. We are now a fully independent Museum, registered with the Museums and Galleries Commission.

We have a lot of good stories to tell, and our collections are unusually rich for a small museum. Lyme’s lively local history is well represented by maritime and domestic objects, and illustrated by paintings, prints and photographs. The area is noted for its fossils, displayed in our geological galleries, and the town's literary connections, from Jane Austen to John Fowles, are illustrated in the new Writers Gallery.

Opening Times:
1 April to 31 October - Monday to Saturday: 10.00-17.00, Sunday: 11.00-17.00
The Museum is open at weekends (and daily in school holidays) from 1 November to 31 March.
The Museum is closed on 24, 25 and 26 December.

Admission:
Adults £2.00; Children accompanied by adults FREE.
Concessions: (Over 60 and 15 to 22) £1.50; School Parties in guided groups £0.75; Friends of the Museum plus one guest FREE.
Disabled visitors who will not be able to access the upper floors are welcome free of charge.