THE COBB

This striking aerial view captures the sinuous sweep of The Cobb at Lyme Regis on a calm 1939 afternoon. From its southern shore, the famed curving breakwater arms embrace a sheltered harbour dotted with small fishing cobles. Above, the Georgian terraces and narrow lanes of the Dorset seaside town stretch back towards the rolling chalk hills, while the gently rippling English Channel laps at the northern beach.

Historical Context
Ancient Harbour Engineering: Lyme Regis’s Cobb dates in various forms to the 13th century, rebuilt repeatedly to protect the harbour from storm waves. By 1939, it had become both a vital fishing haven and an inspiration to writers such as Jane Austen and John Fowles.

Interwar Coastal Life: On the eve of World War II, Lyme Regis thrived as a modest fishing port and seaside resort. Local fleets landed nets of mackerel and dabs, while holidaymakers promenaded along the shore. The Cobb itself featured prominently in community lore—half‑smilingly blamed for altering local tidal flows and beach erosion.

Cultural Landmark: This was the very pier immortalised in The French Lieutenant’s Woman and Jane Austen’s Persuasion, its distinctive shape instantly recognisable to readers and visitors alike.

Share Your Own Vintage Finds!
Have sepia‑toned postcards, family snapshots of Lyme Regis or Dorset’s coastal heritage? Upload your photographs to OldPik.com and help us chart Britain’s maritime past—one treasured image at a time.

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