On our recent group trip (English Countryside & Coast Tour), we visited the coastal town of Lyme Regis in Dorset. Lyme’s historic Cobb was featured in both The French Lieutenant’s Woman and Persuasion–one of my favorites!
The cobb wall provides a breakwater to protect the town from storms while at the same time creating the harbor that helped Lyme develop as both a port and shipbuilding center. Jane Austen visited Lyme Regis in 1803 and 1804. In Persuasion, she describes Lyme this way:
The remarkable situation of the town, the principal street almost hurrying into the water, the walk to the Cobb, skirting round the pleasant little bay, which, in the season, is animated with bathing machines and company; the Cobb itself, its old wonders and new improvements…are what the stranger’s eye will seek; and a very strange stranger it must be, who does not see charms in the immediate environs of Lyme…”
Persuasion, by Jane Austen
And who can forget the fateful scene where impulsive Louisa Musgrove falls from the cobb steps?
There was too much wind to make the high part of the new Cobb pleasant for the ladies, and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower, and all were contented to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight, excepting Louisa; she must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth.
Persuasion, by Jane Austen
…She fell on the pavement on the Lower Cobb, and was taken up lifeless!”
There are 3 sets of stairs on the cobb, all of which have been used to film this scene in various television adaptations (1971, 1995, and 2007). The first—a double-staircase—is too new to have been seen by Jane Austen. The second set, known as Granny’s Teeth, is a likely contender and was featured in the 1995 film. I can tell you that I would not want to climb down these precarious stairs in a long gown and slippers. And I certainly wouldn’t jump down them either, Captain Wentworth or not!
Another contender is the third staircase farthest out on the cobb, which was featured in the 2007 film. Old and sloped, but far less dangerous. I don’t blame them for choosing it!
Whichever stairs Jane Austen had in mind, visiting Lyme Regis was a scenic stop we all enjoyed. Have you been there? If you’ve watched Persuasion, which version is your favorite?
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I’ve been there. With you, Julie! I have not seen any of the Persuasion movies yet, but am anxious to see all 3! It will be exciting to see the very stairs that you walked down! Which one is your favorite?
So glad you traveled with us, my friend! I like them all, but my favorite is 1995 with Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root. If you need someone to watch one with, you know who to call. 🙂
How cool! Persuasion–the 2007 version with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds–is one of my favorite movies! 🙂
Knew I liked you, D! You have good taste. 🙂
Nice to see these pictures since I recently read Persuasion. I have not seen any of the films, but look forward to it. Can’t imagine descending those stairs in a dress.
I’ve read the novel and seen the 2007 adaptation starring Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones.
Thanks for sharing the photos of your tour!
It’s hard to choose. I like Ciaran Hines but I like Rupert Penry-Jones, too, because there was more time to let everything play out. I don’t think I have seen the other version.
What lovely photos, Julie! I loved the 2007 version of Persuasion the best – actually all the 2007-2008 versions of Jane’s books were really great. And I do remember the scene on those steps! Very scary in a long dress… :-)!