The Timeless Coast: Fossil hunting in Charmouth and hill climbing on Golden Cap

About

Here is a one day itinerary for fossil hunting at Charmouth and hill climbing up to Golden Cap.

Morning

Lace up your hiking boots in Seatown, a small seaside hamlet at the heart of the Jurassic Coast (4.8 miles/7.7km east of Charmouth).

Take the path out of Seatown, up towards the summit of Golden Cap (a strenuous, 30-45-minute hike). At the top, catch your breath and enjoy the far-reaching views of Lyme Bay. At 191 metres (627 feet), you’ll have conquered the highest point on the south coast of England. From the summit you have three choices. 1: Return the same way. 2: Follow the 4.5-mile (7.2km) circular route past the ruins of the 13th Century St Gabriel’s Chapel (around the wooded slopes of Langdon Hill) before dropping back into Seatown. 3: Continue westwards along the Coast Path and walk the three miles (4.8km) down to Charmouth.

Afternoon

If you’re back in Seatown, stop for lunch at the beachside pub, then drive west for five miles (8km), or catch the Jurassic Coaster bus (30 minutes, from Chideock), to charming Charmouth (where there’s also a café). Here you can learn all about the Jurassic Coast at the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. Educate yourself with the help of interactive displays, then hook up with a guide on a fossil hunting tour of the local beach and cliffs.

For more details on this walk and other walks in the Timeless Coast series, visit the South West Coast Path website.