6 Things to Do When Holidaying in Hope Cove
With its old fishermen’s cottages, golden sandy shores and roaming coastal paths, it’s no surprise Hope Cove is one of your favourite South Devon holiday settings. This charming seaside village, riddled by smugglers’ tales and steeped in seafaring history, lies between Bolt Head and the village of Thurlestone, sheltered by the towering sandstone cliffs of Bolt Tale.
The origins of Hope Cove lie in the Old Norse word “hop” meaning small inlet or cove, the village historically split by the twin sandy bars of Inner Hope and Outer Hope, both well-known for their soft sands and fiery amber sunsets.
Whether you like sipping a cool drink at one of the village’s beachside bistros or prefer taking a dip in the ocean, here are six memorable things everyone should try when holidaying in Hope Cove.
Hope Cove Bucket List
1. Rock pooling on Outer Hope Beach
Along the craggy coastline of Outer Hope, also known locally as Mouthwell Sands, is a sunken, rocky world teeming with life. Budding naturalists will love to explore the many crags and crevices looking for creatures from the deep. The coastline along Bigbury Bay provides a habitat for a myriad of marine life; barnacles, cockles, periwinkles and limpets are easily discovered clinging to the rocks and along the seabed, while spider, hermit and cancrid crabs scuttle under stones. Small fish such as the common goby and blenny can be see darting from their hiding places, sea slugs wend their trails, star fish and sea cucumbers are a fascinating sight, while anemones and seahorses encapsulate all that is weird and wonderful about this realm revealed by the ebbing tide.
Make sure you don’t harm marine life by leaving your nets at home. Delicate rock pool creatures can easily be injured by nets poking around. Try instead to gently scoop them up in a see-through bucket of seawater. A magnifying glass or hand lens are also fun to have on hand when examining your finds. Click here for information on the Seashore Code.
If you’d like to know more about rock pooling, you can read our interview with Cornish conservationist, Heather Buttivant.
2. Exploring the South West Coast Path
There are some magnificent walks around Hope Cove, following the South West Coast Path as it weaves its way along the peninsula. Discover the neighbouring beaches at Thurlestone when you head northward, where you’ll enjoy beautiful views of Bigbury Bay and the famous tidal outcrop known as Burgh Island. Stop for a swim, or if you’re feeling adventurous, continue on to Bantham beach, a popular surf spot with golden sand and grassy dunes. The 14th century Sloop Inn in Bantham and Thurlestone’s characterful Village Inn provide wonderful pitstops before you head home to Hope Cove.
Alternatively, head south from Inner Hope, rounding Bolt Tail and on the old smugglers’ cove at Soar Mill. This hidden gem makes a lovely picnic spot, while further up the valley you’ll find the Soar Mill Cove Hotel where you can indulge in a traditional Devon cream tea and savour the sparkling views. For a longer ramble, continue southbound along the clifftops, and you’ll arrive at Bolt Head which stands above the mouth of Salcombe Harbour, the bustling seaside town hidden behind the ruins of Fort Charles. Walk the town’s narrow Elizabethan streets, now home to a host of cafes, pubs, bistros, boutiques and galleries, treating yourself to some Cranch’s sweets or a Salcombe Dairy ice cream before making your journey home.
3. Sandcastle Building
It’s one of the most popular events at the village’s annual Hope Cove Weekend, families flocking to the shores of Hope Cove’s sandy, safe beaches. Building the perfect sandcastle takes a bit of time and patience, and also some expertise. Water is the key ingredient to help glue your sand together and allow it to be shaped. Fill your bucket with wet sand and allow the access water to drain before tamping down. Whether you’re making a classic turreted fortress to thwart the incoming tide, or you’re building a more elaborate piece of sand art to wow your family, this cheap and carefree activity will have you absorbed for hours on end.
4. Dreamy Hope Cove Sunsets
Watching the sun melt into the horizon from the clifftops has to be one of the most romantic and memorable ways to spend an evening, and Hope Cove is famed for these spellbinding vistas. Throw down your picnic blankets and cuddle up behind the sea thrift as the sun sets on another memorable day in beautiful South Devon. You might catch a glimpse of the mesmeric green flash, an optical phenomenon created by the sun’s dying embers which appears like a mirage and makes it look like it’s being poured into an egg cup…Also, keep an eye out for seals bobbing along the silvery glistening outcrops. Then lay back and enjoy the magic of these sheltered, west-facing shores as ‘dimpsey’ turns to dusk.
Here are some more of South Devon’s most popular sunset gazing spots
5. Paddling Boarding
What better way to explore Hope Cove and the stunning surrounding coastline than by taking to the water. Stand up paddle boarders and kayakers relish the opportunity to cruise around the craggy outcrops and gaze up at the clifftops as they glide along the bay. You can hire out boards for the day from Adventure South who offer a “hassle-free” pickup and delivery service direct to your holiday cottage, chosen beach or slipway, all you need worry about is having fun…they’ll even take you on tour. Also operating nearby are Sea Kayak Salcombe and Surfin’ Sam Watersports of Thurlestone.
6. Fish ‘n’ Chips on the Harbour Wall
This wouldn’t be a seaside bucket list worth its salt if it didn’t include this absolute takeaway classic. The smell of vinegar and crunch of golden, crispy batter coupled with the rhythmic hush of the ocean and the mew of seagulls overhead, it doesn’t get much better does it. Forget about conversation, it’s time to stuff your chops with one of the nation’s most popular meals then walk off your indulgencies with a stroll along the foreshore. The Cove bar and restaurant is the place to go for a sophisticated take on this tasty takeaway treat, local catch of the day served with triple-cooked chips, homemade tartare sauce and a lemon wedge. You’re welcome.