Golden Cap

Golden Cap is situated on the South West Coastal Path between Charmouth and Seatown in Dorset, England. It is part of the UK's only natural world heritage site known as the Jurassic Coast. Golden Cap is the highest point in the area and well worth a climb to the top to see some stunning views. A couple of times I have been up there I have looked down on top of a coast guard helicopter that patrols the coastline occasionally; it was a weird experience for me to look down on a helicopter in flight.

The starting point I use for my walks to Golden Cap is from a National Trust car park at Stonebarrow Hill. The parking is free for National Trust members and a small fee is charged for non-members. Paths to Golden Cap are clearly marked but for anyone who may be interested in this walk, here is a starter; as you face towards the sea, walk left and down towards the sea.

It is well worth visiting the area at different times of year to see the different flora coming into flower. In spring, some fields are a carpet of yellow and later on, different shrubs start coming into flower. This part of the coastline is owned by the National Trust and they lease out the land to farmers. You will therefore at different times of the year pass cattle with calves and sheep with their lambs grazing in the fields. In one area near to a place called St. Gabriel's, occasionally, you will see some very friendly horses grazing.

This reminds me of a story, and perhaps also a warning about the weather. I was walking with my family on this coastline when a heavy sea mist suddenly descended on the hills. Through the mist, I could hear horses whinnying, but could not see them. This was quite an eerie experience and one which my future daughter-in-law did not much care for. 

It should also be noted that the cliffs are constantly moving and as a consequence, rock falls occur. It is quite safe as long as you follow what usually is a small diversion away from the cliff edge. The National Trust usually erect a small wooden barrier to keep people away from what was a well worn path.

If you like sunsets then this is the place for you. As you walk back from Golden Cap back towards the car park at Stonebarrow Hill, you are more or less facing west and in an ideal position to see some spectacular sunsets; weather permitting.

There is a circular walk you can do from Stonebarrow Hill via Golden Cap to Langdon Hill Wood, which also forms part of the estate. I recommend this circular walk in springtime when the bluebells and wild garlic are in full bloom. In fact I think I will use the Langdon Hill Circular Walk as a future post.

Please re-visit soon.