Monmouth Beach is to the west, and is mostly pebbles, where a limestone layer called the Ammonite Pavement is rich in fossils.
The coastal path westwards from Lyme Regis passes for about 4 miles through a region of dense woodland called the Undercliff, where layers of porous chalk sit on top of non-porous clay - the whole sloping towards the sea. Landslips are common, and there are few ways off this path until Axmouth. The shore along this section is mostly pebbles backed by steeply-sloping wooded cliffs, and there are only one or two places where there is access to the shore from the coastal path.
The town itself has plenty of pubs, tea-rooms, cafes and small shops. The main A3052 is very narrow, and has a traffic-light controlled single-track section. Congestion is to be expected during peak times.