My latest Walk of the Week covers a 3.5 mile walk around Langdon Hill, between Morcombelake and Chideock, a climb to the peak of Golden Cap and a descent into Stanton St Gabriel.

I managed to squeeze this in between showers last weekend and it was my first visit to Langdon Hill, and my first return to Golden Cap for several years.

Starting at the National Trust car park at Langdon Hill, which is accessed via Muddyford Lane off the A35 between Morcombelake and Chideock, I headed south following the pathway into the woods for about half a mile before turning left, off the main path, towards Golden Cap. 

While this is a much easier way to reach the highest peak on the south coast, it is still a steep climb through the fields to the top of Golden Cap – standing at 191 metres high – but of course worth it's for those stunning view across Lyme Bay, and back across the West Dorset hills. 

I took in the views with a much-needed sit down to catch my breath and then continued westwards, descending from Golden Cap into the valley. After crossing a small stream, I followed the path further in land, which took me across a wooden bridge, before heading back east to the medieval hamlet of Stanton St Gabriel.

This was once a thriving hamlet, dating back to 1086, where people made a living from farming and fishing. A quick break to take in the manor house and then I headed onwards to the ruins of St Gabriel's Chapel before another steep climb through the fields back to Langdon Hill. 

I followed a woodland walk, swathes of bluebells and spring flowers now in bloom, before rejoining the main path around the the wood of Scots pine and larch, with more outstanding views over the West Dorset countryside.

The main Langdon Hill path itself is an easy, 1.4 mile walk that is accessible for those with prams or mobility scooters and the diversion around Golden Cap and Stanton St Gabriel – while only 3.5 miles in total – is more challenging with a few steep climbs and stiles. Walkers with dogs should also note tat there are often cows in the fields along this route.