Charmouth

Charmouth is a small coastal parish situated on the mouth of the River Char, to the immediate north east of Lyme Regis. The other neighbouring parishes are to the north west Wootton Fitzpaine while Catherston Leweston is to the east with a small area of Whitchurch Canonicorum adjacent by the eastern coast. The parish and village are 6 miles west of Bridport. Throughout the Victorian era it was known as a pleasant watering place with spectacular views across the bay and along the Dorset coast.

The history of Charmouth dates back to the Iron Age when a Celtic tribe, the Durotriges, founded a settlement. Evidence of hill forts can still be seen in the area. The name Charmouth originated from the Saxon 'Cerne' meaning stony river, Charmouth was therefore known as 'Cernmunde'.

Charmouth Main Street circa 1900

Charmouth Beach

The Church of St Andrew is built of flint and stone and can accommodate nearly 500 people. It was rebuilt in 1836 on the site of an earlier church. A Congregational church dates from 1689, but this was rebuilt in 1815. Next to this chapel is a very old building originally known as the Queen Ann Arms, it has many historical connections. The parish only comprises 414 acres and in 1891 had a population of 530. The registers date from 1564.

There is a post office and a Board School built in 1871. There is a halt for the South Western Railway and regular omnibus services for Bridport and Axminster station
Information from Kelly's Directory 1895.

The Online Parish Clerk (OPC) for Charmouth is Kay Kearsey
Kay can be contacted via email, just click on the above link

A view across Charmouth Bay

The bridge over the River Char

Charmouth Main Street circa 1925