Editing Golden Cap

{{Short description|Hill and cliff in Dorset, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{for|the mountain in Antarctica|Golden Cap (Antarctica)}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Golden Cap
| photo = Golden Cap from Charmouth beach.jpg
| photo_caption = Golden Cap seen from [[Charmouth]] beach
| elevation_m = 191
| elevation_ref = <ref name="JF">[http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/prominence.html ''Summit Listings by Relative Height''] by Jonathan de Ferranti. Accessed on 27 Mar 2013.</ref>
| prominence_m = 63
| prominence_ref = <ref name="JF"/>
| parent_peak = [[Hardown Hill]]<ref name="JF"/>
| listing = 
| location = [[Dorset]], England
| range = [[South Dorset Downs]]
| coordinates = 
| grid_ref_UK = SY384934
| topo = [[Ordnance Survey|OS]] ''Landranger'' 193
| type = 
| age = 
| last_eruption = 
| first_ascent = 
| easiest_route = 
}}
[[File:Golden Cap from Stonebarrow.JPG|thumb|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 {{convert|191|m}}, it is arguably the highest point near the south [[coast]] of [[Great Britain]] (although the highest point is set back some {{convert|250|m|abbr=on}} 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 for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] and forms part of the [[Jurassic Coast]], a [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/golden-cap |title=Golden Cap |website=nationaltrust.org.uk |publisher=National Trust |access-date=22 July 2023}}</ref>

The base of the cliff is covered with large boulders, and is popular with fossil collectors. Storms have previously exposed fossilised [[ammonite]]s and [[belemnite]]s in the [[Blue Lias]] base.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2012/03/the-geology-of-dorset-the-jurassic-rocks/ |title=The Geology Of Dorset: The Jurassic rocks |website=dorsetlife.co.uk |publisher=Dorset Life |access-date=22 July 2023}}</ref>

The name derives from the distinctive outcropping of golden [[greensand (geology)|greensand]] rock present at the very top of the cliff.<ref name=Visit>{{cite web |url=https://www.visit-dorset.com/listing/golden-cap/129666301/ |title=Golden Cap |website=visit-dorset.com |publisher=Visit Dorest |access-date=22 July 2023}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Joanna |date=21 March 2021 |title=The story behind famous Jurassic Coast landmark Golden Cap |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/features/lookingback/19172589.story-behind-famous-jurassic-coast-landmark-golden-cap/ |work=Dorset Echo |location=West Dorset |access-date=22 July 2023}}</ref>

As a result of its height, on a clear day views can extend to Portland Bill and to Start Point and Dartmoor in Devon.<ref name=Visit/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/golden-cap Golden Cap] - official site at National Trust
*[http://www.soton.ac.uk/~imw/Golden-Cap.htm Golden Cap and Seatown — Geology of the Wessex Coast] by Ian West, [[Southampton University]]

{{coord|50|43|35.14|N|2|50|28.14|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}

{{Jurassic Coast}}

[[Category:Headlands of Dorset]]
[[Category:Hills of Dorset]]
[[Category:National Trust properties in Dorset]]
[[Category:Nature reserves in Dorset]]
[[Category:Jurassic Coast]]