Activities in Lyme Regis for children:Activities in Lyme Regis for children:
Rock Pooling around Lyme Regis
Rock Pooling is a fascinating pastime for children. They love exploring the creatures and weeds of the rock pools that are exposed by the receding tide. Lyme Regis has numerous rocky ledges which provide great rock pools where children can discover some "secrets" from the hidden world of the sea.
How to do it: Go down to the beach at low tide, find some rocks and start snooping around. See also the rules for responsible rock pooling.
What to take: Some good shoes or boots - ideally waterproof ones. (Going barefoot on the rocks is not a great idea as there are lots of crustacea with sharp pointy shells that can cause cuts and discomfort).
What to watch out for: The tide (don't get marooned, you can check tide times here or locally when you arrive. Also beware of slippery rocks which can lead to unexpectedly nasty falls.
What might I find?
Rock pool creatures and rock pool weeds, as follows:
Limpets
You will find limpet shells all over the rocks, they trap a little water under their shells as the tide goes out and cling to the rock for dear life. Limpets stick to the rocks using a suction pad in a huge muscley "foot". They are herbivores who move over the rock surfaces very slowly and use their rasping mouth to eat the weed that they find there. You should not dislodge the limpets from the rocks.
Barnacles
Barnacles are tiny white crustacea which cling to the rocks - there are thousands of them everywhere. At low tide they appear to be just a shell but when the tide is in they put up a miniature fan shaped "hand" from the top of their shells and collect passing plankton to feed on.
Crabs
Crabs are always a popular find for kids - it's a combination of the sideways walk and the menacing pincers that seems to appeal. Crab tend to live in gaps under stones and in crevices in the rock.
Anenomes
Anenomes
live on rocks and use their tentacles to attract and catch small prey such as shrimps
which are then ingested in the centre of the anenome. Always be careful with anenomes -
their structure is quite delicate and does not like being poked, jabbed, bashed or left
out of water.
Prawns and Shrimps
Prawns and shrimps are common amongst the Lyme Regis rock pools but they are quick to take evasive action when humans are investigating their territory - a swift flick of their tail and they will be lost to all but the keenest eye.
Fish
Some fish will get stranded in rock pools at low tide whilst others will live there. You might find gobies and blennies on the floor of the rock pools or you might see immature wrasse swimming freely in the pools. The wrasse will often be found on the fringes of seaweed that is hanging into the pools.
Starfish
Starfish are rarer but can be found. It's usually best to leave them alone and just enjoy looking at them. If you must pick the poor thing up then be absolutely sure to leave it the right way up when you go.
Seaweeds
It is always hard to get kids interested in seaweed when there are creatures around to find! If weed is lifted to "see what's underneath", it should be replaced in the same position both for its good and for the good of the assorted crustaceans that will undoubtedly be living in and around it.
Read on or go to Home The Lyme Regis Visitors Guide
Rules for responsible rock pooling:
The following guidelines will help you have fun without causing any damage to the creatures and marine environment around Lyme Regis:
1) Watch carefully and quietly - many seashore creatures are hard to spot and they will
conceal themselves from view if they think you are a threat.
2) You will find things on top of rocks, in cracks and crevices, under stones, on seaweeds and in rockpools. In you lift a stone to see what if underneath, make sure you put it back down
3) Remember that every tiny detail of a rock pool is very important to the survival of one creature or another. Therefore, leave everything just as you found it and the rock pool creatures will be there for next time.
You'll find local information via: The Lyme Regis Visitors Guide Site Home Page
Other seaside activities: Beach Combing, Boats trips, sea fishing and mackerel fishing, Crabbing, Fossil Hunting, Swimming.
© Copyright 2007 Amherst Lodge . All rights reserved worldwide. You may print a single copy of this page onto paper for your own personal use. All other forms of reproduction of this material are strictly forbidden unless you have obtained express written permission from Amherst Lodge beforehand. All commercial use is expressly forbidden unless prior written permission is given by Amherst Lodge. It is our policy to always take action when intellectual property rights are infringed, this includes copyright infringement. Contact Us