Golden Cap

For the mountain in Antarctica, see Golden Cap (Antarctica).
Golden Cap
Golden Cap seen from Charmouth beach
Highest point
Elevation191 m (627 ft)[1]
Prominence63 m (207 ft)[1]
Parent peakHardown Hill[1]
Geography
Map
LocationDorset, England
Parent rangeSouth Dorset Downs
OS gridSY384934
Topo mapOS Landranger 193
Golden Cap seen from Stonebarrow Hill in winter

Golden Cap is a hill and cliff situated on the English Channel coast between Bridport and Charmouth in Dorset, England. At 191 metres (627 ft), it is arguably the highest point near the south coast of Great Britain (although the highest point is set back some 250 m (820 ft) from the coastline) and is visible for tens of miles along the coastline. It is accessible via a coastal footpath from Seatown, and takes around 40 minutes to reach the summit.

The hill is owned by the National Trust and forms part of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site.[2]

The base of the cliff is covered with large boulders, and is popular with fossil collectors. Storms have previously exposed fossilised ammonites and belemnites in the Blue Lias base.[3]

The name derives from the distinctive outcropping of golden greensand rock present at the very top of the cliff.[4]

Behind the cliff is Langdon Wood, a small wood of mainly Corsican Pine, planted in the 1950s, whose trees originate from a nearby copse known as "Eleanor's Clump". Langdon is owned by the National Trust, and encompasses a circular walk of approximately one mile.[5]

As a result of its height, on a clear day views can extend to Portland Bill and to Start Point and Dartmoor in Devon.[4]

  1. ^ a b c Summit Listings by Relative Height by Jonathan de Ferranti. Accessed on 27 Mar 2013.
  2. ^ "Golden Cap". nationaltrust.org.uk. National Trust. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  3. ^ "The Geology Of Dorset: The Jurassic rocks". dorsetlife.co.uk. Dorset Life. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Golden Cap". visit-dorset.com. Visit Dorest. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  5. ^ Davis, Joanna (21 March 2021). "The story behind famous Jurassic Coast landmark Golden Cap". Dorset Echo. West Dorset. Retrieved 22 July 2023.