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 = [http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/prominence.html Summit Listings by Relative Height] by Jonathan de Ferranti. Accessed on 27 Mar 2013.

| prominence_m = 63

| prominence_ref =

| parent_peak = Hardown Hill

| listing =

| location = Dorset, England

| range = South Dorset Downs

| coordinates =

| grid_ref_UK = SY384934

| topo = OS Landranger 193

| type =

| age =

| last_eruption =

| first_ascent =

| easiest_route =

}}

File:Golden Cap from Stonebarrow.JPG 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 and forms part of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

The name derives from the distinctive outcropping of golden greensand rock present at the very top of the cliff.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

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