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Golden Cap
Stunning coastline overlooking the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site
Golden Cap Estate, Morcombelake, Bridport, Dorset
Opening times for 21 December 2024
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Parking charges apply: £1.50 for 1 hour, £3.00 for 2 hours, £4.50 for 3 hours and £6 for all day. Payment can be made by coins or PayByPhone. If you are an National Trust member, please scan your card in the machine. Overnight parking or camping is not permitted.
Dogs allowed
Dog walkers are welcome but please keep an eye out for signs throughout your visit. Using a short lead helps to keep your dog from disturbing ground-nesting birds and farm animals. It's essential to use a short lead around sheep. Please always clear up after your dog. Bins are available within or near the car parks or take the poo bags home with you.
Coffee shop
Crazy Cow - small barista coffee trailer offering hot drinks, homemade cakes, cream teas and ice creams on Stonebarrow Hill within the Old Radar Station Compound. Open 7 days week April to October.
Toilet
Toilets maintained by Crazy Cow and open to the public on Stonebarrow Hill. Open 7 days a week from April to October.
Park at Langdon Hill car park and climb up the east side, or approach from the west if you're parked at Stonebarrow. Stonebarrow Hill and Langdon Hill have disabled parking spaces, there's plenty of room and level surfaces for wheelchair access. Generally undulating landscape with grassy paths and clifftops, rough terrain and gradients. At Langdon Hill there's a 1 mile circular path with a wide, level and compacted surface suitable for most wheelchairs and pushchairs. It's accessed by a gate with RADAR key. Dogs welcome on leads, but not on beaches, May-September
Accessible route and/or map
On Langdon Hill there is a 1 mile circular path with a wide, level and compacted surface suitable for most wheelchairs and pushchairs. It is accessed by a gate with RADAR key.
Level access to food outlet
Stonebarrow Hill has designated disabled parking spaces and level access to the coffee trailer by The Old Radar Station.
Accessible toilet
Accessible toilet maintained by Crazy Cow and open to the public on Stonebarrow Hill. Open 7 days a week from April to October.
Powered mobility vehicle available
On Stonebarrow Hill there is an Off Road Mobility Scooter available to borrow 7 days a week from April to September and weekends in October. Email goldencap@nationaltrust.org.uk or speak to staff on Stonebarrow Hill for further details.
Designated parking
Stonebarrow Hill has designated disabled parking spaces by The Old Radar Station close to the facilities. Langdon Hill car park has designated disabled parking at the top of the car park close to the trails.
Steps/uneven terrain
A generally undulating landscape with grassy paths and cliff tops, rough terrain and gradients.
By road
National Trust car parks at Langdon Hill and Stonebarrow Hill, both off the A35 between Bridport and Charmouth. Langdon Hill: From Bridport and the east, drive through Chideock village on the A35 and at the top of the steep hill, take the next left into the narrow, unmarked lane, then the first left to the car park. From the west, go through Morecombelake and after passing Felicity's Farm Shop, take the first turn on the right onto an unmarked lane. Take the first left to the car park. Stonebarrow Hill: Located off the A35 between Lyme Regis and Bridport. From the west, go through Charmouth and take the turning on right by Stonebarrow Manor into Stonebarrow Lane to top of hill, over the cattle grid. From the east, turn off at Charmouth, go past Newlands Holiday Park and take next lane on left, as above. Other (not National Trust) car parks for access to the estate at Eype, Seatown, Charmouth and Lyme Regis.
Parking: Please note access to both car parks is by single track lanes with passing places.
Sat Nav: Langdon Hill car park, nearest postcode DT6 6EP. Stonebarrow Hill car park, nearest postcode DT6 6RA. If using SatNav please check the actually location you are being taken too.
On foot
Lies on the South West Coast Path. Access on foot from Charmouth, Morcombelake, Chideock, Seatown, Eype and Lyme Regis - all within a mile of the estate. See Bus section if you wish to do a linear walk.
By train
Axminster train station 5 miles, Dorchester South and West train stations 20 miles. All three stations linked to Golden Cap Estate by regular bus services (see Bus section).
By bus
X53 First links the Golden Cap Estate to Exeter bus station, Beer, Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Bridport, Weymouth train station, Wareham and Bournemouth, bus every two hours. Route 31 First runs a regular service from Axminster train station, Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Bridport, Dorchester South train station and Weymouth train station.
By bicycle
National Cycle Network Route 2 runs within a few miles of the estate. Visit the Sustrans website for details.
Highlights
Langdon Hill
Langdon Hill is a good starting point for a walk to Golden Cap, the highest point on the South West coast. It also offers a shorter circular woodland walk through Scots pine and larch with views over the Dorset countryside and out to Golden Cap. There are year-round wildlife highlights.
Stonebarrow Hill
Four miles from Langdon Hill, Stonebarrow Hill is an excellent starting point for a walk to Golden Cap. It also offers shorter walks, a children's orienteering challenge and a brass rubbing trail. It is home to a barista coffee trailer, toilets and a holiday cottage.
Nature
Much of the ecology of the estate is of national importance and most is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The hay meadows are rich in wildflower. Look out for green winged orchids in spring and WaxCap fungi in autumn. Catch glimpses of birds, butterflies and reptiles.
Family Activities
At Stonebarrow we have balance bikes, a children's Smugglers Trail and a Brass Rubbing Trail starting at the Old Radar Station. At Langdon Woods we offer a Dormouse Orienteering Trail and den building. The circular walk at Langdon Woods takes 30 minutes over flat surfaces and is good for pushchairs and little legs.
Landslips and falls
The coast and cliffs along this stretch of the Jurassic Coast are unstable and naturally liable to landslips and falls at any time and without warning. Please take time to read warning signs in carparks and on footpaths, and stay well back from the cliff edges whether on or below them. We ask people not to visit slips when they occur, as secondary slips may occur without warning
Walks
The walk to Golden Cap, the highest point on the South West coast is well sign pointed from the Langdon Hill car park. The circular walk around Langdon Hill takes 30 minutes. You can pick up a leaflet documenting seven other walks from Stonebarrow Hill. Whilst walking please be respectful as every insect, bird, animal and flower plays an essential role in the delicate life cycle of the estate.
Trust 10k
Join us for a FREE Trust10 around the Golden Cap Estate and challenge yourself on a 10km run with breathtaking views. This is a multi terrain run involving steep climbs and uneven, muddy paths. It takes place the fourth Sunday of the month May - October. Runners and spectators are advised to park at Stonebarrow Hill carpark.
Mobility Tramper
Hiring a tramper enables you to explore this beautiful location with friends and family. The routes starts and end at the Old Radar Station Compound at Stonebarrow, with tramper hire normally available from May to the end of October.To book, please email goldencap@nationaltrust.org.uk (advance booking recommended).
Things to see and do
Article
Exploring nature at Golden Cap
From a woodlands to hilltops and the Jurassic Coast, Golden Cap is full of variety. Discover the best parts of the estate and look out for rare orchids and dragonflies.
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Family-friendly things to do at Golden Cap
Visiting Golden Cap is always a big adventure. Discover treasure on the Stonebarrow Smugglers' Trail, take on a big challenge and climb Golden Cap, or try out geocaching on the wider estate.
Outdoor activities
Activity
Outdoor activities at Golden Cap
From bracing walks with breathtaking views to angling and geocaching, there's lots to do around the Golden Cap estate.
Top trails
Trail
Langdon Hill walk
Enjoy a circular woodland walk with spectacular views at Langdon Hill, where you'll discover year-round wildlife highlights.
Trail
Stonebarrow walk on the Golden Cap Estate
An easy circular walk featuring rolling hills and ancient hedgerows with views of the dramatic coastline of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Places to stay
The Old Radar Station
Stay on England’s spectacular natural World Heritage Site, The Golden Cap, in this restored radar station.
St Gabriel's Elm Cottage
Deep in the Dorset countryside is this pretty thatched cottage, only a short walk from the coast of the Golden Cap estate.
Beech Cottage
Part of a thatched farmhouse surrounded by trees, this cottage is only a short walk to breathtaking coastal views at Golden Cap.
Ash Cottage
Part of a large thatched farmhouse on the Golden Cap World Heritage Site, with impressive coastal views a short walk away.
Oak Cottage
For a rural getaway close to the coast try this thatched cottage on the Golden Cap estate.
Shedbush Farm House
A thatched farm house with a cosy country interior and acres of surrounding land to explore.
Downhouse Farm Cottage
A rural retreat with far-reaching views over the Dorset countryside.
Shute Barton
Dine in style or explore the grounds at this impressive manor stay.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Golden Cap
The great rocky shoulder of Golden Cap offers magnificent views at every compass point. On a clear day you can see across Lyme Bay to Dartmoor - well worth the effort of the walk uphill.
Stonebarrow Hill is a great starting point for 25 miles of footpaths around the Golden Cap estate. The Old Radar Station houses a small barista coffee trailer, toilets (open April to September and weekends in October) and a holiday cottage.
An all-ability circular trail takes you through the woodlands of Langdon Hill Wood. Rich in wildlife, they are home to large numbers of 'blue' butterfly in summer and many different fungi in autumn.
Finally, high on the cliffs you'll find the ancient Thorncombe Beacon. It was one of a series dotted along the English coast as part of an early warning system guarding against foreign invasion. Enjoy the spectacular views east to Bridport and Chesil Beach.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Golden Cap.
Our work
Golden cap
Article
Our essential work at Golden Cap
From surveying moth populations to managing rare orchids, the National Trust team at Golden Cap works tirelessly to maintain this special coastal site in Dorset. Find out more.
Article
Langdon Woods: adapting to a changing climate
Find out how we’re supporting our woodlands in a changing climate and making Langdon Woods more resilient.