Good Friday Hike at Golden Cap
It has been a family tradition since our son was in Cubs (aged 7) to do a Good Friday hike. Over the years sometimes this hasn't involved all of us but if the weather is fine it is a good way to start the Easter weekend and walk off those Hot Cross Buns that we ate for breakfast! Do you have any family Easter traditions?
Our chosen destination was to walk in the Golden Cap Estate that belongs to the National Trust. It is made up of rolling hills, pastoral fields, sunken lanes, ancient hedgerows and dramatic coastline and towering above all this is Golden Cap (the high flat topped hill above) which is the highest point on the south coast.
We didn't walk to the top of Golden Cap on this occasion but just enjoyed walking along many of the footpaths in the area , passing a few cottages and attractive farms.
The National Trust have a small shop, we received a very warm welcome and were informed that we were their first visitors of the season, their having just reopened for the first time since the autumn.
Our chosen destination was to walk in the Golden Cap Estate that belongs to the National Trust. It is made up of rolling hills, pastoral fields, sunken lanes, ancient hedgerows and dramatic coastline and towering above all this is Golden Cap (the high flat topped hill above) which is the highest point on the south coast.
 |
It is also in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it's easy to see why.
 |
| Looking towards Lyme Regis |
We didn't walk to the top of Golden Cap on this occasion but just enjoyed walking along many of the footpaths in the area , passing a few cottages and attractive farms.
It was so warm and such a beautiful day!
The National Trust have a small shop, we received a very warm welcome and were informed that we were their first visitors of the season, their having just reopened for the first time since the autumn.
On our walk back to the car we also noticed our first bluebell of the year!
It was unfortunate that our son wasn't able to join us until later in the day, so he sadly missed the walk but he did manage to enjoy the spectacular sunset with us in the Bay. It is a shame that the rest of the weekend's weather doesn't look so promising -at least we have managed to enjoy being outside for at least one day.
Our daughter made this amazing chocolate Easter cake. It was just as well we had walked a few miles beforehand! Wishing you a all a very Happy Easter!
Sarah x
I love your traditional walk and what a place to take a walk. Never had a hot cross bun nor ever seen a bluebell. Heaven.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of a gorgeous area. The cake looks great.
ReplyDeleteOh what a glorious walk in such a beautiful spot. The weather couldn't have been better could it. That cake looks seriously good. Haven't eaten anything sweet all of Lent so I am craving a little chocolate now. Wishing you a good Easter. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteI would struggle to not have my daily small dose of chocolate. Sarah x
DeleteThat is a gorgeous walk you have taken us on Sarah, really enjoy your photographs.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures of your pleasant walk.
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks delicious.
Have a nice Easter
With warm wishes Manon
That looks like a wonderful place to walk. We met up with my inlaws for a walk at some woods, I also saw my first bluebells of the year,such pretty flowers.
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks dangerously yummy :-)
If it was anything like it was here in Hastings it must have been a fabulous day!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely tradition, Sarah. Even though your son couldn't join you this year you at least had your memories to accompany you of years past. That sunset IS spectacular!
ReplyDeleteGolden Cap was a favourite out of season holiday destination for us. If we had a Friday or Monday INSET day we could usually book one of the NT cottages at short notice and drive down straight after school. A couple of good walks, fossil hunting and a mooch around Lyme and we really did feel as if we had been away for longer than a long weekend. Lots of green growth but no sign of any bluebells in our woods yet - thankfully. Happy Easter Sarah.
ReplyDeleteGOod morning from across the great pond!
ReplyDeleteWOW. Again, another breathtaking view of your side of the Atlantic, Sarah,and yes, we do have our own family tradition. When we lived in Massachusetts on the eastern coast of the USA, we used to live right across the street from the ocean. Every Easter, we'd meet church friends on the sand and have an Easter sunrise service! Now that Ruben and I live in the midwest, we are fortunate to have many local lakes! So, we've established our tradition here and tomorrow as usual for Easter, we are heading out just a few miles from the house to a lake where we will take a thermos of tea, our bibles and some poetry. We watch the sunrise from INSIDE the car since it's usually very cold here on Easter. But tomorrow is supposed to be bearable later in the day.
Wishing you and your family a memorable holiday!
That sounds a wonderful tradition Anita. I hope it isn't too cold as you watch the sunrise tomorrow morning. Sarah x
DeleteIt was a fabulous day yesterday, glad you were able to make the most of it. Happy Easter Sarah.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Donna. Never had a hot cross bun nor ever seen a bluebell. So, thanks for sharing yours.
ReplyDeleteLovely! I do so enjoy your posts! xox
ReplyDeleteWe spent yesterday going out as well, in hindsight it was a very wise move - how can two days be so different from one another?
ReplyDeleteImagine seeing bluebells this early, my impression had been that the early spring had subsequently stagnated.
I love your evening sunset with the boulders rubbed smooth from millenia of pounding waves, and I bet that the chocolate cake was much enjoyed by all.
The weather here today as they predicted is cold and wild it is amazing how different the days can be. Sarah x
DeleteWhat a beautiful, beautiful view! And of course, Tavi is enjoying it too… Happy Easter to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteYour walks are always so inspiring with the beautiful landscapes by the sea. It is good to have some family traditions, especially something as delightful as a hike. We don't have any for Easter I am sorry to tell. However, I come from western Finland from the province of Ostrobothia where the tradition is to light Easter Bonfires on Holy Saturday at dusk. The tradition derives from an ancient belief that God's protective powers were at their weakest on that particular night and the fires were lit to chase away witches and evil spirits. Even today little children go to see their local bonfire dressed as (friendly) witches just like I used to when I was a child back there. Happy holidays to you and your loved ones!
ReplyDeleteLucky you! Golden Cap is one of our favourite places and you certainly had glorious weather. We have been going there for more than twenty years and it is always a pleasure.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, that may be an interesting solitary bee on the pussy willow.
Thank you for the bee identification, one day we may meet you on our walks too! Sarah x
DeleteWhat a lovely tradition to have a family walk. Golden cap sounds stunning. I miss the grassy downs that you have near your cliffs. Ours are granite and much more rugged and rocky. Bet you enjoyed the National Trust shop. I've just started to volunteer at ours which is situated in a Georgian Town house. Enjoy Easter with your family. B x
ReplyDeleteWild here in west of Scotland, but the lighter nights will be welcome when we change the clocks. Lovely walk.
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteDear Sarah,
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely tradition going on a family hike and I enjoyed seeing your wonderful photos. The cake looks so delicious and your daughter a great baker.
Ours is to have a swim and work off all the hot cross buns and chocolate eggs. We are going out for a family Sunday lunch with our children.
Happy Easter
Sending hugs and blessings
Carolyn
A lovely family thing to do on Good Friday, and after walking all that way you won't mind about eating Easter Eggs! I love the coastline and also the little cottages and farms...I imagine they must be painted white every few years they look so sparkling.
ReplyDeleteHey Sarah,
ReplyDeleteSome stunning photos of a lovely day out, Sarah. My dear Mother In Law used to walk there often, and always loved it. I absolutely adore the bee picture. As for your daughter's cake.......
Have a lovely weekend.
Leanne xx
What lovely views - and we were all very lucky with the spring-like weather on Good Friday. It's all changed now, though!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking us along :)
You do live with stunning landscape around you – I may have said it before, but I mean it – what grandiose panorama. I have read many fiction books by authors living in your area – they always mention how beautiful the coast is. The chocolate cake was a great end to your perfect day.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful walk and the cake looks delicious! Our family tradition was an Easter egg hunt but with clues, difficulty of clues depending on how old you were! Happy Easter xxx
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed this blog post, gorgeous countryside with stunning views. What a shame the lovely weather didn't last over the Easter weekend although today has been better. xx
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful landscape and amazing views. Your photo's make me wish I could have joined you for a hike. It all looks very tempting!
ReplyDeleteHappy week Sarah!
Madelief x
Dear Sarah, family traditions are so special aren't they? They seem to keep everyone together instead of drifting off doing their own thing...apart from a Sunday lunch together we don't particularly have any tradition for Easter but we do like to spend it together as a family. Usually Easter falls on my husband's birthday so we go out for the day, unfortunately this time he was a little sick, so he spent Good Friday in bed. Lovely photos, I really can't wait to get out and about in the countryside again after months spent at home. Have a lovely week. Sharon x
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed our hike, Sarah. It was nice to end the day with sunset and cake.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
I saw my first Bluebell in Sligo Ireland, we always had Hot Cross Buns in Texas
ReplyDeletewhen I was growing up. Mamma made them, my Grandmother also made Plum Pudding at Christmas. Those things you never forget. I am a water person, have always lived near the Sea. Yvonne
I'm glad you had such a lovely walk and followed your family tradition. Friday was the best day of Easter weather-wise, so no wonder you have such super photos of sunshine and beautiful views (I particularly love the sunset and sea). I've yet to see a bluebell this year and so I must go and look for one if they're already in flower.
ReplyDeleteThat looks a lovely walk with beautiful scenery. We did a walk too on Good Friday when our daughter and family came to visit for Easter. It was good to get out with all the family, although I was quite exhausted when we got home
ReplyDeleteWell, I've just enjoyed a wonderful walk and it was so lovely to see the first bluebell.
ReplyDeleteThe weather has been somewhat mixed, and please don't mention Storm Katie!!!
I do like your header photo, it's lovely.
Enjoy the remaining days of March, April will soon be here!
All the best Jan
Meine liebe Sarah,
ReplyDeleteich könnte wohl Stunden auf einem dieser Hügel sitzen und auf das Meer hinaus schauen ohne das ich je einen Moment Langeweile verspüren würde.
Wie schön und wohltuend sind deine Bilder. Ja, bei Euch hält der Frühling Einzug.
Was macht dein Garten? Jeden Tag kommt etwas neues zum Vorschein. Wenn es doch nur mal etwas wärmer würde.
Dir noch eine schöne Restwoche, alles Liebe Barbara
Love your photos, Sarah! I want to do the Golden Cap walk when I'm next down that way. Hope you are well?
ReplyDelete