Another walk along this eastern stretch of the South West Coastal Path towards Portland, as I push further east towards Chesil Beach. We’d had a few days of decent sunshine so I decided on a walk that deserved a day befitting of the weather. The highest point on the entire south coast of England should suffice, with great views, green fields and easy to follow paths. There are many paths in this area, criss-crossing around Golden Cap and Stonebarrow Hill so it is easy to change this walk if you want to, or lengthen it further inland perhaps towards Hardown Hill. Myself I could have walked further along the coast but I’d have had to reach West Bay to link up with a walk a did a while ago now and that wasn’t possible even with an early start. I’m starting to understand that these walks now need an early start and less distance to allow for the shorter days at this time of year. Still I have plans for weekends away to tick off some of the further distances but this walk deserved a little bit of attention on its own. Golden Cap is rightly a popular walk, and ascending from the Langdon Hill area makes it a fairly simple ascent, the views are superb in every direction and the flat top allows for a chance to walk away and get some space and peace from others. Its a superb spot and rightly the centre point of this walk.
Start – Stonebarrow Hill car park
Route –South West Coastal Path – Golden Cap – Seatown – Langdon Hill – Norchard Farm – Upcot – Stonebarrow Hill
Distance – 7 miles Start time – 9.20am Time taken – 4hrs Highest Point – Golden Cap 191m
Weather – Glorious sunshine, warm out of the wind. Clouded over at the end
That’s the car park at Stonebarrow Hill behind and this signpost was on my last walk up here before I turned tail and headed back to Lyme RegisFirst look at Golden Cap, and a golden glow from an early morning sunThere was a keen wind from the south and the waves looked lovely backed by Lyme Regis across Lyme BayPicking my way through fields towards Golden CapReaching the bottom of the climbThe views across Lyme Bay are always behind you when you stop for a breatherInland towards MorcombelakeOld landslides looking up to Golden CapStonebarrow Hill over the fields I’ve walked so far, Chardown Hill on the right, the white house right of centre is in Upcot, I’ll walk past that laterLeft of the last photo is the view to Lyme Regis, the point in the distance is Humble PointSmiling robinThe last section to the top is up some steps but the view back just keeps on giving and is probably better from here than at the topThe top of Golden Cap is this memorialAnd the glorious view to Lyme RegisReaching the top of Golden Cap meant a first look at view east towards Chesil Beach (curving away in the distance). Seatown is down below with Doghouse Hill and Thorncombe Beacon rising beyond the small hamlet by the beachFor reaching the top of the highest point along the south coast of England I figured cake was needed and a coffee. Despite being up high the wind was missing as I sat down, and it was lovely and warm up here in the sun191 metres, the trig point at the top of Golden CapInland again to Morcombelake with Hardown Hill behind thatTree sculptureLooking back at Golden Cap as I descend to SeatownOnwards to SeatownDown at Seatown, that’s Golden Cap looking very sheer from this angleAnd the other way to Doghouse Hill, my next foray in this area will be over that hill to West Bay. I was hoping to pop into the Anchor Inn on the beach for some refreshments but unfortunately it was closed, a disadvantage of the early start as I was here at 11:30amAfter walking back up the road from Seatown I turned left along a climbing track towards Langdon Hill. Here I get a view down towards ChideockAnd again from further along the track, Quarry Hill back left and Frogmore Hill over on the rightI walked the good path around the northern part of Langdon Hill in the trees, then dropped down to a path crossing towards Filcombe Farm, as I exited the trees this glorious view opened up, I’m heading for that white house on the right next (Norchard Farm)Its difficult to get lost around these lanes even with so many paths, there are lots of good signs pointing the way, I’m heading straight on towards UpcotAnother sign and view, the sign at the back points towards Stonebarrow Hill which is my route to the car. The cloud has come in now and I’m nearing the end of the walk, I’ve timed it perfectlyLots of lovely cloud shapes, types and holes for the sun to shine throughOnce at the top of Stonebarrow Hill you follow this long path back to the car park (unless you’ve parked at the other car park at the far end). To my left here was an old radar station, now used by the National Trust as a shop, not open currently though, assume its a summer opening thing only.One last look back to Golden Cap, not quite as resplendent as it was at 9am this morning but still looking fine. This is a cracking walk, so much going for it, there is also an old church called St Gabriels at the foot of Golden Cap which I didn’t divert to as I stayed on the coastal path, but it would be easy to pick it up by following one of the many paths. An early contender for walk of the year I reckon, a superb day out
It must have been so nice to actually feel the warmth of the sun whilst you settled with your brew. Robins are definitely the best posers of the bird world. Great shot.
The sun and the warmth was a real bonus, it gave me the first thought of spring and a possible change from the storms and constant grey mizzle we’d had for 2 months. So far since this day we’ve had rain, but also a few more sunny days so hopefully the weather is turning the corner a bit
What would the others be for West, east and north. Is west Black Combe or is there one in Wales that’s higher? Might need to do a bit of google searching
So glad I came across this blog post today, I was just thinking about doing a hike the opposite direction – Golden Cap to Charmouth and Lyme Regis – and from the map you’ve included it looks like that should be no problem at all! I hiked from West Bay to Golden Cap in beautiful sunshine last autumn, and climbed a little way down the side of Golden Cap so I could find and photograph the ruins of the medieval Stanton St Gabriel parish church for my blog. Did you pass it on your hike? It is such a peaceful place and has amazing views towards Charmouth and Lyme Regis.
I did see the church below me to my left as I was climbing up Golden Cap, but didn’t head down to visit. Bit of a miss on my part really as I could have visited on my return leg through the lanes as well (think I was within 1/4 mile of it). Its an excuse to revisit though as I really enjoyed Golden Cap
treksandtors 
Always an impressive bit of coastline.
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It must have been so nice to actually feel the warmth of the sun whilst you settled with your brew. Robins are definitely the best posers of the bird world. Great shot.
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The sun and the warmth was a real bonus, it gave me the first thought of spring and a possible change from the storms and constant grey mizzle we’d had for 2 months. So far since this day we’ve had rain, but also a few more sunny days so hopefully the weather is turning the corner a bit
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Nice part of the coastline. I like following your costal walks.
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Golden Cap is a real treat of the south coast, its the high point as well as having some really good views as well
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Fabulous bit of coastline including a coastal summit!
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What would the others be for West, east and north. Is west Black Combe or is there one in Wales that’s higher? Might need to do a bit of google searching
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So glad I came across this blog post today, I was just thinking about doing a hike the opposite direction – Golden Cap to Charmouth and Lyme Regis – and from the map you’ve included it looks like that should be no problem at all! I hiked from West Bay to Golden Cap in beautiful sunshine last autumn, and climbed a little way down the side of Golden Cap so I could find and photograph the ruins of the medieval Stanton St Gabriel parish church for my blog. Did you pass it on your hike? It is such a peaceful place and has amazing views towards Charmouth and Lyme Regis.
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I did see the church below me to my left as I was climbing up Golden Cap, but didn’t head down to visit. Bit of a miss on my part really as I could have visited on my return leg through the lanes as well (think I was within 1/4 mile of it). Its an excuse to revisit though as I really enjoyed Golden Cap
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Yes, Golden Cap is a special place – can’t wait to get back there myself!
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