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All you need to know
West Alvington village is perfectly placed for exploring the popular towns of Kingsbridge and Salcombe, and the stunning South Hams coastline and countryside.
West Alvington village is situated on the main Kingsbridge/Salcombe road within walking distance of the bustling waterside market town of Kingsbridge, which boasts numerous independent shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants, as well as a cinema and two supermarkets for all your holiday essentials.
West Alvington itself has a village pub and an abundance of peaceful countryside walks on its doorstep, not to mention bracing cliff-top hikes with jaw-dropping views along the nearby South West Coast Path.
Within a 15 minute drive, there are several beautiful golden sandy beaches that fringe this picturesque peninsula, including Thurlestone, Hope Cove, Bantham and Bigbury-on-Sea, any of which are fantastic spots for a family beach day.
The sailing mecca of Salcombe lies just 5 miles away, with its stunning views across the harbour to the golden beaches at East Portlemouth and Mill Bay (accessible by passenger ferry) and its excellent shopping and dining establishments.
A holiday cottage in West Alvington is conveniently placed for everything you need to make your holiday in South Devon truly memorable.
(5)
What a treat, lovely experience with a well informed guide.
June 2023
Great evening paddle with Dave for our family of four, all enjoyed very much.
July 2021
We feel incredibly lucky and privileged to have been on Slapton Ley with Singing Paddles. Our guide was really informative and kept it interesting enough to keep our 8 year old engaged. We learned so much about the history of the Ley, about it's eco-diversity and the various conservation projects. Highly recommend.
April 2021
Very professional
December 2016
Have been on several tours with Singing Paddles and have always enjoyed them. Really good fun and feels like you had a good workout by the end!
December 2016
(13)
We have said it before and we will say it again, the reason South Devon attracts so many visitors and captures their hearts is because it really is a phenomenally beautiful part of the world, and as such is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in many areas. So walking is a great pleasure when you’re on holiday here, especially as there are over 40 routes in the AONB itself, ranging in length from two to 12 miles. They are a wonderful opportunity to explore the wildlife, archaeology and history of South Devon, as well as the views and scenery along the way.
Beautiful walks everywhere with stunning views along the coastal path
September 2023
Lots of places to access coastal path. We joined it from Start point and visited the lighthouse.
July 2023
Stunning array of various walks around the area - consult the web site for some easy to follow routes. Very steep in places but the scenery is worth it.
October 2021
Stunning scenery and beautiful, sometimes challenging hikes on the coast path stretches. I was very lucky I had gorgeous weather.
September 2021
Wonderful walk in the sunshine along the coastal path from Garra Rock to Mill Bay. Well signposted. The road to Garra Rock is not for the fainthearted!
September 2021
Fantastic circular walk from East Portlemouth (catch the water taxi first from Salcombe) then follow the coastal path through woods and out on to stunning cliff top views for two miles until you reach Gara Rock Hotel which is something special then take the shorter return walk downhill through the woods.
July 2021
The coastal paths are wonderful.
July 2021
Bantham to Thurlestone Walk is lovely. Also the walk out to the lighthouse would recommend!
October 2020
Our apartment owners recommended Bolberry Down as somewhere to park ( NT Car Park) and enjoy the super views, even in the rain. It proved to be an excellent suggestion and we found paths from the Car Park that were easy to walk as well as the Oceans Restaurant which was good apart from not offering their sandwich menu during Sunday Lunch.
October 2019
Whether you want a strenuous walk or a gentle stroll there are wonderful coastal and countryside walks in this area of Devon.
September 2019
Visit to the East Soar walkers hut with its self service cream tea is a must as part of a circular work in that area
September 2018
Outstanding restaurant. Have ben using it since 2005 and always book beforehand to ensure a table. Friendly staff and reasonably priced. Ready to book for next year.
September 2018
Walked the South West Coastal path from Plymouth to Hope Cove - fantastic!
April 2017
(1)
A toy shop and so much more in the heart of Kingsbridge, The Trading Post is the place to go to find everything to keep your children entertained on holiday. Choose from a huge range of toys, games and puzzles alongside beach balls, frisbees and inflatables, wetsuits, bike hats and lots more. Find them at 31 Fore Street, Kingsbridge TQ7 1PG.
Click here for further details
The children loved the shop and have done every year we come down. Its great for beach toys and beach activity items.
August 2022
(3)
Had a delicious and relaxing lunch-would certainly return.
September 2019
Great Place for Great Art with an ever changing selection of exhibitions. It seems to be the beating heart of Kingsbridge.
June 2019
A decent enough café, with reasonable coffee and a pleasant ambience, alongside a local art gallery with (when we visited) an eclectic mix of art and artifacts. And if you're into yoga, my guess is that any type of yoga you can imagine is available here. If the weather's nice, the rear courtyard garden is quite pleasant, too.
April 2017
(19)
Much more than just a ferry service, the Kingsbridge Salcombe Ferry provides an unforgettable experience for anyone visiting South Devon, capturing the essence of the Kingsbridge Estuary and Salcombe Harbour from the safety and comfort of a Maritime and Coastguard agency approved vessel. Harbour Cruises, Creeks Cruises and other special events are available but all services are tide dependent so check the timetable on their website in advance for running times.
Click here for further details
Great experience. The views are so lovely.
May 2024
An integral part of our holiday, er always treat the ferry as a miniature cruise.
October 2023
We caught the ferry twice, firstly in the sunshine, and we enjoyed the scenery, we caught the bus back too which was very easy. The second time it was a bit chilly so the lovely lady on the boat gave us a cosy blanket for the journey. It’s good not to have to park in Salcombe too.
July 2023
Fabulous but a bit on the pricey side
August 2022
First time on this new ferry,had been on old one several times.Did not disappoint.Crew were pleasant,informative and spent time talking with everyone.
July 2022
Great trip
July 2022
GREAT BOAT AND FRIENDLY STAFF . NOT ENOUGH CREEK ETC CRUISES. WAS EXPENSIVE £11 FOR ONE WAY
July 2022
A must for first timers to the area in particular but we have been coming for many years and still do the trip. Pretty ride and the couple operating it were very friendly and helpful, particularly helping my husband on and off the boat. Bit pricey but we went down on the boat and back on our free bus passes so we weren’t really restricted on ferry times
June 2022
Lovely but expensive. Lacked Creek Cruises, during our stay. Only 2 were on offer.
June 2022
Lovely trip down to Salcombe. Louise was a very good host and had lots of useful information
June 2022
Excellent service to Salcombe. It was a lovely way to travel to Salcombe- without the traffuc! We got the bus back as the tide wasn’t in again until much later, but that was very easy too.
June 2022
Excellent if rather breezy return from Salcombe. Would definitely use again when we visit next June
September 2021
very pleasant boat ride back into Salcombe
September 2021
Enjoyable boat trip to Salcombe .
September 2021
Quite expensive but a really enjoyable way of getting to Salcombe for a day out. More fun than driving. Can return by bus to Kingsbridge or West Alvington if necessary
August 2021
Staff on board extremely friendly and approachable. Great way to get to salcombe. No return only if you wish to come straight back. We caught the bus back to kingsbridge
August 2021
Lovely return trip from Salcombe, friendly, helpful crew. Prompt, efficient service, just a little bit pricey.
July 2021
Sadly it wasn't running when we were there, very disappointing!!!
April 2021
An enjoyable trip down to Salcombe
October 2020
(9)
A convenient place to stop and enjoy the views over the Salcombe Estuary from the large rear sun terrace. Inside there is a cosy lounge bar and family friendly restaurant serving an extensive menu of traditional pub favourites, along with daily specials and Sunday carvery.
Ring o Bells West Alvington, Kingsbridge TQ7 3PG (T: 01548 857227)
Didn't visit this time but have been before and this pub is in walking distance of Cob cottage
September 2023
Good food and very friendly. Caters for all ages!
July 2023
Not a good experience for us, staff were trying hard to be helpful but were struggling even with the pub empty, very long wait for food, veggie burger was much like a Birds Eye offering and the bolognaise was not good.
July 2021
Excellent value with groupon
October 2018
Used a Groupon voucher which made it Great value. Warm welcome, good portions, lovely home made pie. Pub grub at its best.
September 2018
Very impressed. Food was excellent, Staff very attentive and friendly. We visited twice in the week we were in the area.
June 2018
Very friendly staff, lovely food - we enjoyed the weekly pub quiz.
October 2017
Lovely food and very nice friendly staff we were made to feel very welcome, even took part in the weekly quiz.
September 2017
Popped in here for a pint whilst staying nearby. Traditional pub with a nice sunny spot on the decking with a great view.
April 2017
Now back open for feasting events at their stylish HQ in Kingsbridge. Wild Artichokes never fails to deliver delicious, creative dishes in an informal family style setting. Plates of food are shared between diners on large tables, the wine and conversation flows and nobody goes home hungry! Check their website for dates and how to book onto one of their events!
Wild Artichoke Unit 1, Centurion Works, Lower Union Road, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1EF
Enjoy free teas and coffees with your Toad Hall Cottages discount card
(23)
A popular all-rounder in the heart of Kingsbridge serving coffee and cakes, bar snacks, light lunches and evening meals in contemporary surroundings. The menu is modern British with an emphasis on high quality, fresh local ingredients. Plenty of parking and outdoor seating.
The Seven Stars Mill Street, Kingsbridge TQ7 1ED (T: 01548 852331)
Fantastic Sunday roast dinner! Really surpassed our expectations. Waitresses were so helpful and friendly too.
November 2023
Ideal location food and drinks excellent nice atmosphere friendly staff
September 2023
Great food, friendly, helpful staff and good prices, would definitely go back again if we stay in the area again.
May 2023
We visited this pub twice while on holiday, not only was the food fantastic and the pub really fresh and well decorated, their treatment of our nervous whippet was so lovely, the kind and caring way she was prioritised has restored some of my faith in human nature and the gentleman who supplied the gravy bones ( I didn’t get his name but he knows who he is) really was the kindest and most lovely member of staff I could wish to meet. I wish we had a local pub like this where we live and will recommend you to all my friends, family and doggies!
May 2023
Visited early on a Sunday afternoon for lunch having arrived late Saturday.Place was virtually empty with two waitresses twiddling their thumbs and a manager who was quite aggressive and confrontational.We were told that there was no room for us as we had not booked and he only had two chefs on that day so could not accommodate any extras.Amazed that a business,apparently so popular according to him,could afford to turn away two customers who wanted one course and been away in less than an hour.We were told to book for 6 p.m. and thee might be some Sunday lunch left if we were lucky.Such a shame as we were hoping to eat here a few times so went elsewhere as he suggested and was very happy with what we found.Did not go back and am sure we were not the only ones.
July 2022
Visited for the first time in several years and was very satisfied. Food, service and ambience very good and probably the best pub food in Kingsbridge town
June 2022
Great place to eat and drink,friendly staff,especially Mark the General Manager.
June 2022
We ate here after visiting many times before. Were not disappointed, the food and service were excellent.
April 2022
Had a Sunday roast of slow cooked belly pork and a last night of lamb shank Really good food and service Staff very helpful and welcoming. 10/10.
October 2021
Excellent food and service.
October 2021
'Staff shortages' might be acceptable for slow food service in a pub but not drinks. Dogs and food hygiene are not compatible.
October 2021
First class service and food. Booked in advance and were given a lovely table.
September 2021
Had an excellent meal at Seven Stars. Really good service friendly staff and excellent food.
September 2021
Very good meals and service.
September 2021
Lovely friendly staff. Had drinks one night and roast another, great leg of lamb
August 2021
Amazing customer service and food. The toilets however were in a disgusting state.
November 2020
We didn't eat here as intended because they only had one meat option for their non carvery Sunday Lunch, so we only had coffee, which was fine. There was a selection of seating options and there seemed a good friendly atmosphere with laid back but efficient staff, however, the doors weren't opened till after advertised opening time so people were waiting outside for about ten minutes... thankfully it was a nice sunny day. The pub has limited parking, however, if full it is not far from the main car park.
November 2019
Started using this in 2005. Was the place and getting a seat was very difficult. Personally think it has priced itself out of the market. No problems in finding a table nowadays. Pints are always short and the landlady/owner is not too pleased when you ask to be " topped up". I was told she had to watch her spillages but this is not my problem. At £4.20 a pint! I expect a pint!
September 2018
Excellent
July 2018
Good service
June 2018
we are very disapponted in The Seven Stars. The service was appalling, very long waiting time. We understand that during holiday season one has to wait long but this was due to the attitude of the waitress. We visited this attraction two times and after the second time we decided never to go there again. I ordered a grilled plaice and the fish was just not cooked. I told the waitress that I wanted the fish very well done and she snapped at me that the fish was well done. I couldn't eat it and sent it back. I still had to pay seventeen pounds for an uncooked fish and the the plate was taken away I mentioned this to the waiter. He just hummed and walked away without even apologizing. They were just not interested. Although the first time we ate there was not terible and the starter was good food I would certainly not recommend this attraction. The toilet was filthy as well.
August 2017
Nice pub. Food was ok. Friendly staff and reasonable prices
April 2017
Best pub food in Kingsbridge and very friendly.... good outside sitting area
November 2016
(10)
A stylish restaurant serving high quality, authentic Chinese and South Asian Cuisine.
Café Asia 10 Mill Street, Kingsbridge TQ7 1ED (T: 01548 857888)
Excellent meal Sunday evening takeaway Would recommend
September 2023
Food was rich and well flavoured though some of party felt sauces were too sweet. Main negatives were 2 hour+ wait for delivery, having to phone order in and expensive for takeaway.
July 2023
Lovely food and delivery too!
June 2023
A great takeaway! Delivered promptly and food tasted great.
August 2021
Fast delivery, hot food and tasty
April 2021
Excellent food, very prompt delivery.
October 2019
Very good quality at very reasonable prices. Excellent takeaway service recommended
September 2018
We had a takeaway on our last evening service was quick and reasonable prices we ate it all so quality must have been good as we had a few fussy eaters
July 2018
excellent food, atmosphere and service
September 2017
Had a great meal here. Loved the Thai influences.
December 2016
(2)
A sophisticated restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart of Kingsbridge run by Masterchef semi -finalist Jamie Rogers. Expect fresh local ingredients, skilfully prepared and served in a relaxed vibrant environment. Match your meal with quality wines for a memorable evening out.
Twenty Seven 9 Mill Street, Kingsbridge TQ7 1ED (T: 01548 288847)
Excellent dinner again, food delicious. We were asked to pre-select before our arrival, as there were ten of us , very sensible. BUT they were very slow to take our drink orders, in fact didn't until my niece mentioned it, they then came to take our orders with our starter. Interestingly they would have sold a lot more alcohol if they had been off the mark. We will absolutely go again. This was our fourth visit.
June 2022
Wonderful restaurant. We had the four course menu and added the starter tasters. It was all divine. The service was spot on very welcoming..
April 2022
(8)
A small sandy beach belonging to Thurlestone Golf Club, those who have been on regular Devon weekend breaks and holidays will have seen this beach change somewhat in recent years thanks to storm damage, but the evolving landscape merely adds to its charm. A 200-metre walk down a paved path from the golf club and its car park and you find yourself heading down a gentle slope onto the sand, with the option of enjoying the beach in its own right or walking along the coast in either direction towards Bantham or South Milton Sands. Dogs are allowed here at any time, which of course adds to the appeal for walkers, and if you fancy stopping somewhere for lunch then Thurlestone village nearby is home to a charming pub that’s cryptically named The Village Inn, which is suitable for the whole family and wonderfully cosy in the winter months. Alternatively head to the Beachhouse café at South Milton for lunches and evenings meals with a view of the sunset, or cups of tea and brownies from the Gastrobus at Bantham. It is one of the area’s quieter beaches, often acting as a place to wander past rather than one to spend the whole day on, but given its easy access and the proximity of the car park, and the golf club, it’s a delightful little spot in which to while away the afternoon.
We visited this beach most days either morning or early evening to take the dog and enjoy the sunsets
September 2021
We found this to be a very pleasant spot for a coffee. The sands were pristine.
September 2021
Lovely beach for swimming and supping
June 2021
a fabulous beach, dog and heart friendly
December 2020
We like this beach. We walk to it from the property we stay in in Thurlestone. It's always quiet. There are lovely views out to sea and you really feel close to nature when swimming. There is good sand, some rocks on either side of the beach, it's easy to access and we usually walk home along the coast path for more lovely views.
August 2019
Great quiet beach with wonderful coastal walk alongside gold course round to Bantham. Parked free in field adjacent to golf club, although we understand they will be charging for parking soon. Only downside was that the public toilets were closed - we went October 2018.
November 2018
This is possibly the best beach in the whole of England
July 2017
A very nice beach with quite a lot of sand at times. So easy to access, even managed to get both (octogenarian) parents to it and my mother in the sea for a paddle!
July 2017
(45)
A long stretch of sand broken only by the South Milton Ley freshwater reed bed, South Milton Sands is a dramatic beach that’s exposed to the elements, making it something of a chameleon throughout the year. Rugged in its beauty, there’s nothing quite like watching the sun set at this beach behind an iconic rock archway in the water; it really is spectacular, particularly if you do so over dinner in the summer months from The Beach Café, a small but perfectly formed restaurant and café that’s perched just above the sand. If you want a table inside then you really do have to book this one, but if the weather is fine then eating outside is a joy. The beach is sandy and popular on windy days with kite surfers and windsurfers, but in calmer weather is perfect for a summer swim. Dogs are welcome at South Milton throughout the year, there’s a National Trust car park by the beach which costs from £5 for the day, £3 after 4pm or is free for National Trust members. There are also toilets nearby. It’s also worth knowing that in the summer months lifeguards are in situ from 6th July until 8th September, keeping everyone safe in the sun, sea and sand. When the weather is less conducive to sitting and admiring the view, South Milton is perfectly placed for a stroll along the coast path either towards Hope Cove and around towards Salcombe if you fancy making a day of it, or in the opposite direction you can walk towards Bantham and Bigbury on Sea. It’s a wonderful place to explore and watch Devon’s wildlife in all its glory.
We love this all year round very dog friendly beach. Great even when the tide in. Plenty of parking and a great cafe to boot.
October 2023
Beautiful beach and we had the added bonus of the Rockbox pop up bar being directly behind. If you are staying in hope cove it is worth the 20 minute walk to get here as much better than the hope cove beaches, also has toilet facilities.
September 2023
Lovely sandy beach, easy parking and clean beach
September 2023
Great beach for swimming , paddle boarding and playing with the dog. very good access to food and drink outlets.
September 2023
Lovely location. Walk from Banthan, thru Thurlestone on to South Milton
July 2023
A lovely family beach to enjoy rock pooling with the children.national trust carpark free for members.
July 2023
Beautiful beach, easy access, with lovely cafe and toilets near by.
June 2023
Beautiful beach with sand and rock pools. Canoes etc available to hire at reasonable prices and cafe with great food and drink
June 2023
Beautiful beach for all the family . Dog friendly and good for SUP's and canoes etc.
August 2022
Beautiful beach and safe water.
July 2022
Very clean, Fantastic dog friendly beach
May 2022
very good beach, dog friendly. the road access is via single car lanes with passing places, this seems to work early season apr/may but could be fun in the high season.
May 2022
Wonderful sandy dog friendly beach
May 2022
Lovely walk across the beach
October 2021
Lovely beach. Great for dogs too. The car park is owned by national trust and if you don’t have any money for the parking you need to download the app. Problem there is no signal once you are there to pay for your parking! Best bring change.
September 2021
We walked along to this beach and found it to be a very pleasant.
September 2021
Lovely, clean and not busy
September 2021
Lovely Beach!
July 2021
fantastic beach - safe and so clean - could hardly believe how clears the water was !
July 2021
Lovely beach. Great catering facilities and clean, free lavatories. The car park is large and as a member of the National Trust parking was free (usually £6)
July 2021
Beautiful sandy beach. Large well organised NT car park which filled up quickly on a sunny weekend. Younger family members enjoyed hiring a paddle board for half an hour. Wet suits a good idea!
June 2021
Lovely sandy beach.
June 2021
lovely area
May 2021
Perfect beach for early morning dog walks.
May 2021
Lovely beach with fantastic cafe
April 2021
Fabulous beach, we loved our walks in the morning and early evening
October 2020
Really lovely long stretch of uncrowded sandy beach, ample parking, clear water.
October 2020
Beach is beautiful but steep to walk down from the car park
September 2020
Perfect safe and sandy beach. Lovely and fairly easy walk to/from Hope Cove with great views along the way.
August 2020
Fabulous sandy beach with lots of rock pools to explore at low tide. Ideal for children and dig friendly too
August 2019
Fantastic to be able to walk dogs down there. Nice cafe. Could do with dog poo bag bins on or near beach Car parking expensive just to be on beach for half an hour
August 2019
Great beach! Also we enjoyed being able to rent paddle boards.
August 2019
South Milton sands is a beautiful beach. Arrive early to get a good parking space as it does get quite busy. The beach is sand and shingle. £5 per day for parking, great value. The only shame is that there were too many paddle boards getting in the way of swimmers. Maybe a cordened off area for swimmers would be better.
August 2019
We walked over from Hope Cove and found it a pretty unattractive beach with a massive pipe leading out to sea and a horrible sewage smell. Happy we hadn't bothered to go there for a day out!
July 2019
We loved this beach and returned a number of times during our stay. Safe shallow water for the family with some good waves for body-boarding as the tide came in and friendly life guards in attendance all day! Easy access from the car park - facilities nearby and dog friendly - everything we needed! We also enjoyed the cliff top walk to nearby hope cove on one afternoon.
July 2019
A lovely beach with plenty to look at. Dogs are allowed - very good for children if supervised.
June 2019
Lovely beach, stunning views and a safe place for children to rock pool, and swim. Spoiled for us by the large numbers of kite surfers dominating the water along with the surf school who took little account of those families enjoying the beach ordering people out of the water when they had a schooling session on. Words were had. They need to understand it isn't their property and if people want to enjoy the beach, they need to move to a spot where they aren't bothering people. Good car parking and a nice little cafe selling cakes/flapjacks and coffee with WC next to it, so beach-goers are well catered for. Could have done without the thump thump music and bar flies in shades but that's typical of many such places these days. On the whole a great beach with decent accessibility via car or foot and preferable in many ways to the larger beach at Thurlestone during peak times, and preferable to the beaches at Hope Cove when busy.
June 2019
great beach only bad thing is its owned by the national trust and parking is £5.00 no matter how short or long you want to stay no option of paying by the hour
October 2018
A great beach but at £5 a day to visit (National Trust!) rather expensive. Variable rate better.
October 2018
Excellent beach, well maintained and dogs allowed all year round. Great range of activities to enjoy from swimming, snorkelling, SUP, kite surfing, kayaking and scrambling when the tide is out. Loved it and will return
June 2018
Amazin beach - especially when the tide goes out and all the rock pools come out to play!!! Shame about the coarse 'sand', but that can't be helped; just get some shingle shoes. If you want sand go to North Sands or Bantham!
August 2017
A glorious beach! Dog friendly, sandy, rock pools at the far end. Parking handy, spectacular views - the stone arch beats Durdle Door in my mind..... Delightful. Loved it.
July 2017
Fabulous dog friendly beach with amazing views
June 2017
Beautiful.
May 2017
Fantastic sandy beach for everything, rock pools, building sandcastles body boarding.
April 2017
(7)
Accessed either by boat, via a 10-minute walk through the woods from parking at Mill Bay, or a stroll from the Salcombe to East Portlemouth Ferry, Sunny Cove is a sandy beach which, as you might expect, catches the sun throughout the day, weather pending. It’s on the East Portlemouth side of the Salcombe Estuary opposite North Sands beach and Fort Charles, the ruined fortification that was originally constructed during the reign of Henry VIII to defend the Kingsbridge Estuary against French and Spanish Pirates. It’s a relatively gentle spot for swimming and ideal for picnics, lazy summer afternoons, and reaching on kayaks and paddle boards from other nearby beaches as well as being the perfect spot for building sandcastles. That said, the tide can come in quite quickly so make sure you don’t get caught out and be careful of the swell when bringing boats into the beach. Head there for the day in the summer or as a stop off en route to the café at Gara Rock or a longer walk along the coast path towards Prawle Point. Dogs are welcome all year round but keep in mind that there aren’t any facilities in the immediate vicinity (it would be a 10-15-minute walk along wooded footpaths) so take your sandwiches with you!
Gorgeous, quiet and very clean beach.
June 2023
Stunning bay ,Quiet and secluded
October 2021
Lovely little beach worth the walk or paddle!
July 2021
We didn’t know about this. Whilst appreciating the need to keep things to a minimum, local information like this could have been uploaded digitally. We made 2 attempts to locate a beach without success.
October 2020
The beach and the views were superb
September 2019
A nice sandy beach, crowded on a sunny day. but access quite tricky - a long walk for children if no room in the NT car park, and then a long walk back afterwards.
August 2019
Best reached by direct boat access but easy enough walk from ferry or mill bay car park. Our favourite beach.
August 2018
(96)
Hope Cove is the perfect name for this inspiringly beautiful little corner of the South Hams. Divided into two areas, Inner Hope and Outer Hope, both linked by a footpath and road, and each with their own respective beaches, Outer Hope is also home to the Hope and Anchor Pub and a collection of shops and cafes, while Inner Hope is a quieter more residential area. At Outer Hope you will find Mouthwell Sands, a sandy cove scattered with pebbles and backed by rocky cliffs with a slipway and steps from the road down to the beach. It’s a popular spot with surfers, despite being a fairly small beach, and watching the sunset from here is a beautiful way to spend the evening. There is a car park by the beach where charges apply so make sure you have cash on you as you arrive, and dogs are permitted out of season with restrictions applying from 1st May until 30th September. Meanwhile, Harbour Beach is a short stroll away and bridges the two villages of Inner and Outer Hope. It is a wide sandy beach that’s perfect for rock pooling and sand castle building, and there is a harbour wall that makes for spectacular crashing waves in the winter as well as a tempting spot from which to jump into the water in the summer at high tide. Just make sure you don’t jump in when the water is low as it’s too shallow. Harbour Beach is also an ideal spot from which to paddle board or kayak across the bay, with the really intrepid amongst us pottering all the way along the coast to Thurlestone and Burgh Island. Finally, at Inner Hope itself there is a small sandy beach that’s accessible down a slipway. This is home to the old lifeboat station and is a quiet spot that marks a juncture along the coast path from Bolberry. Speaking of which, you can walk either way along the coast from Hope Cove, either towards South Milton Sands, Thurlestone and Bantham, or towards Salcombe. If you are making a day of it then why not start at the Winking Prawn at North Sands and stop at Hope Cove for lunch?
A beautiful place to visit in the Spring before the Summer crowds.
April 2024
great pub, lovely views, calm cove great walks
April 2024
My favourite piece of hidden England. Just the most perfect relaxing break
April 2024
A lovely place to walk to from Thurlestone. We had good food and drink in The Cove
April 2024
A very special place, well worth the visit
March 2024
A quiet sheltered cove where you could spend a sunny morning watching the blue sea. Coffee at the inn, then walk up the steps and down into Inner Hope to the old lifeboat station and the thatched cottages. There’s a small hotel, high above the road, with a terrace. The English Riviera
October 2023
Beautiful area on the doorstep. Excellent!
September 2023
Lovely quiet beach
September 2023
Beautiful as ever
September 2023
Quaint harbour village with great places to eat and two lovely beaches
September 2023
Such a beautiful cove and the sunset is a must down there.
September 2023
Lovely village to drop into on the coastal path. Excellent food and drinkfacilities
September 2023
Pretty, quiet and relaxing cove. Feels largely unspoilt. Great walks on coastal path.
August 2023
Lovely little beach and perfect for families. We loved hunting in the rock pools at low tide
August 2023
Stunning cove with plenty of parking and restaurants for food and drinks. A lovely place! The clear water and gorgeous scenery made this a little paradise.
August 2023
Pretty sheltered cove. Dog on lead and family orientated - on larger of two beaches
July 2023
Loved Hope Cove a very pretty coastal village , with great beaches and amenities.
July 2023
Love hope cove very relaxing with two different beaches. Grab a coffee or fish and chips from the cove and enjoy The sunset on the beach .
July 2023
Lovely area, very pretty, ridiculous parking charges
June 2023
Beautiful sandy beach with lovely access to walks.
June 2023
Beautiful village only disappointment is beaches are not very dog friendly
May 2023
Absolutely beautiful. Great place to swim. Welcomes dogs but there are restrictions IE to be kept on leads but this doesn't impact on the enjoyment of being at this special place. Several places to get takeaway food if you forget a picnic. Free public toilets but welcome a donation to RNLI.
May 2023
Hope Cove is lovely, we ate at the Hope and Anchor pub, which has excellent food. The staff were really helpful so would highly recommend a meal there. From Hope Cove we walked to South Milton beach which is a lovely coastal walk
March 2023
Hope Cove is a beautiful place to stay with small but lovely beaches. Sunset is marvellous and views from adjacent hills are excellent. Pubs and restaurants well attended and situated on /near the beach.
August 2022
Lovely village with two very good pubs.
July 2022
Lovely quiet place, and just enough amenities, so not commercialized
July 2022
Very pretty area. The lobster pods are a fun place to eat but you need to book.
July 2022
Splendid beach. Nice pubs. Perfect for kids both a low and high tides. Loved it!
June 2022
We had our honeymoon here over 50 years ago
May 2022
Lovely Lobster Pod Restaurant is situated here. Sweet little fishing village
May 2022
Walked over from Thurlestone to this lovely setting, 2 beaches to sit on. Just check in advance what facilities are open as the bar we wanted to sit at was closed for the day but we did manage to sit inside at the other option but no tables outside due to being very busy
May 2022
Lovely place with beautiful beach and stunning scenery.
May 2022
great location to view and eat. The Lobster Pot is great.
May 2022
Hope cove has many excellent dog friendly eateries and is the perfect spot for a rest after a walk along the coast path. My personal favourite is The Cove as they made us and the dog very welcome both inside and out. Their Burgers are outstanding. There is no phone signal to book your carpark on the Ringo App so either pre-book before you get there or take some change!
May 2022
Beautiful cove with spectacular views
March 2022
Have been visiting Hope Cove for many years. We always go in the winter when it is very quiet. Great beaches for dogs to run around and wonderful walks over the cliffs in both directions. Love both the Hope and Anchor and the Cove for food and drink.
December 2021
A pleasant cove to visit once. Unfortunately there were problems obtaining taxis to and from this location.
November 2021
Hope cove and the surrounding area is stunning. Go and look at the thatch cottages at the far end of the village.
October 2021
Definetly worth a visit, beautiful scenery and beaches and two places to stop for food and a drink - fabulous
October 2021
Just loved it
October 2021
More holiday resort than working village. At present most eating establishmens are closed to visitors. None at all on Tuesday or Wednesday. Lovely setting and great walking.
September 2021
Very pretty Cove. I love it.
September 2021
Very scenic and great place to walk to.
September 2021
Hope Cove was lovely as ever. Sadly The Cove was closed the week we were there ( first week in September) and the Hope and Anchor closed on Tuesday and Wednesday! However the Village Inn at Thurleston was brilliant.
September 2021
This little cove was full of interest and activity. It was ideal for our sort of swimming but the water was quite cold. We noticed that the seawater was not being tested as usual but it seemed clean and clear.
September 2021
Short walk to Hope Cove very pretty but extra busy when we were there .
September 2021
Beautiful place for a family holiday. Would highly recommend
July 2021
Lovely walk from South Milton Sands to Hope Cove
June 2021
The only downside was that the pub did not open until the day after we left!
June 2021
Hope Cove is a small, lovely, unspoilt village with spectacular walks along the coast path. The Cove cafe is a great stop off for a coffee with lovely sea views from the balcony.
June 2021
Absolutely stunning! We’ve visited here for the last 6 years and never got bored. The walk over Bolt Tail and the coastal path to Thurlstone are incredible. Can’t wait to return again next year.
May 2021
Lovely little cove to visit, enjoyed flying kites here and had a lovely lunch in one of the pods at the Lobster Pod Bistro.
October 2020
Great place for a sunset, quiet and peaceful. Take a picnic unless you can book.
October 2020
Beautiful scenic beaches. Very peaceful
September 2020
Our first visit to Hope Cove and seven night stay at Surf View. Our first impression of Hope Cove exceeded our expectations, unfortunately approaching and entering Surf View was very disappointing. Shabby and not in a chic way. The exterior of the property felt unloved, unkempt flower pots, broken doorbell, and a general lack of upkeep. On entering still very disappointing. The paint work and walls throughout apart from the attic en-suite bedroom are marked, dirty in places and in need of attention. The kitchen wall beside the dishwasher being particularly dirty and badly stained, very off putting. However the kitchen units and appliances were clean and overall good.The grouting in the main bathroom needs attention and felt grubby. In the lounge area tatty placemats, a tie back missing from one pair of curtains. Seem minor points but all add to the presentation of this holiday let.The outside terrace again felt lacking of what could be a more inviting space although with table and chairs provided a sunny spot to sit.The best room in the house is the attic en-suite bedroom which had a fresher, cleaner feel. Furniture met the requirements. The shower albeit not powerful did the job and provided hot water most of the time. The property however is well equipped. Just a niggle;- why a 2 slice toaster which caters potentially for 6 people? A slow breakfast process. The owners have left excellent instructions for use of appliances etc and everything seemed to be working well. The parking can be a little tricky even for just the one car allowed We arrived August Bank Holiday and involved blocking in a car in the allocated area as 3 cars already there at 5pm. A busy day in Hope Cove and no street parking was available until night time. Was ok in the end just needed cooperatIon and understanding. Also not having to use the car from arrival to departure was an advantage. The house was cleaned to a good standard and the extra measures towards COVID-19 Toad Hall are taking are excellent. We took extra precautions throughout the week ensuring surfaces, handles, switches etc were constantly well sanitised. The house is in a lovely location, close to the beach and access to great walks with spectacular views. Surf View provides the basic needs of a holiday stay in Hope Cove especially when accompanied by four legged friends. Wish the negatives were less and the positives more but review Surf View as experienced. We enjoyed a lovely quiet holiday in Hope Cove and the surrounding area but left Surf View wishing we felt less disappointed and could review more positively.
September 2020
We really liked Hope Cove with the exception of what appears to be a sewage outlet on the smaller beach (inner cover i think). so avoiding that part the outer cove and rockpools on the beach between the 2 were great to explore when the tide was out. restaurant at hope cover was great food, great service, we applaud their efforts during the corona malarky. and the little shop is well stocked with all seaside things you need. including hoodies of all sizes if its a bit nippy.
July 2020
Stunning location. Great beaches. Good choice of places to eat. Great pub
March 2020
Shhh, if you know about Hope don't tell any one, its too good to spoil!
October 2019
Lovely harbour and nice clean beach well worth the visit
October 2019
Fell in love with Hope Cove. Will definitely return.
October 2019
Lovely cove, we loved to watch the tide coming in, and kept check of the low tide times to nip across the sand to the pub instead of going up and over the head
October 2019
Lovely cove.Nice little shops too.
October 2019
Absolutely beautiful area, loved the beaches and coastal path walks. Great, scenic lunch at the Lobster Pods.
September 2019
Nice walk to Hope Cove from Thurleston along the SW Coastal Path, less than 30 minutes. Cute little village with pub, cafe and tiny shop.
September 2019
Nice walk along the coastal path from Thurleston Sands.
September 2019
Hope Cove's Lobster pods were great - lovely food and spectacular views!!
June 2019
Nice little coastal village but not a lot there really and spoilt by way too many holiday homes with very little full time community or interest. Lovely small beaches, safe for the youngsters but best avoided at peak times as it simply gets too crowded. Decent pub but they served us a cold meal so we didn't eat there again. Narrow road down to Hope Cove from the main A381 is a nightmare with the traffic using it, the impatience of some drivers not giving enough room and we had our car hit and damaged by some ignoramus builder in a transit who tried squeezing past our stationary car, whilst yelling obscenities from his window even though it was us who stopped when he ought to have reversed back a whole 5 yards. Charming. Expect these sorts of things if driving in and out each day as there's no other roads in and out other than single-track. Clifftop walk in either direction is stunning and it's well worth the walk towards Thurlestone until you reach South Milton Sands Beach which is simply lovely...a real cracker of a beach with lovely views and plenty of room. Beware the kite surfer school who think that they own the beach as they had the cheek to ask people to move as they were about to hold a class in the water near the rocks where lots of kids were rock pooling. They needed to be reminded that it was not their beach... From Hope Cove, the walk to Bolt Head was very pleasant and then on towards Salcombe. Hope Cove itself seems to have very little community atmosphere and no-wonder as it comprises 250 full time residents scattered between inner and outer Hope Cove and up to 5000 visitors staying in holiday homes. Practically the whole village is made up of holiday homes with the only industry being hotels and the pub, a few B&Bs and the odd fishing boat. Such a great shame as it seems to have no sense of "self" which you get with a living, thriving community but to be expected as our small fishing fleets are all but killed off. Still, a nice place for a short break.
June 2019
Gorgeous place. Parking is reasonable and close to both beaches, providing easy access to SW Coastal Path. We visited early May so few other visitors around, just sat and soaked up the sun.
May 2019
We can highly recommend the Cottage Hotel and the Lobster Pod. We had 2 amazing meals, really efficient, friendly service and reasonable pricing.
September 2018
Feel this once must visit cove has gone backwards. The "pods" on the slopes of the Cottage Hotel seem completely out of character.
September 2018
This is our favourite find in the South Hams. It’s beautiful. There is everything you need nearby; lovely pubs and afternoon tea, friendly locals and beautiful beaches.
August 2018
Beautiful place with a lovely beach and several places to eat. We would definitely go back.
August 2018
Been going for years even if busy still a lovely holiday feeling. Great to see no rubbish on the beach and facilities for people to pick up rubbish. Fascinating for children - fish, rock pools, jelly fish etc. endless fun. Crowded when the tide comes in though.
August 2018
Great Cove. Fab location. Unfortunately the one cove had a lot of seaweed washed in due to the windy and stormy weather over our first weekend, but that can't be helped. But it meant we only went to the beach there once.
August 2018
Lovely place to walk to, great places to eat
July 2018
Great beach’s and place with good views
July 2018
Great food and great location
July 2018
Inner Hope is the best part and the village is very nice with many thatched cottages. The Sun Bay Hotel is very good and does excellent cream teas on its balcony overlooking the sea.
July 2018
Visited 16/06/18 for a week with Toad Hall Cottages. Lovely quiet location with a fabulous beach nice shops, a good pub and some good restaurants
June 2018
Very busy during the bank holiday week but superb beaches which we very much enjoyed.
June 2018
Wonderful cove, my grandchildren absolutely loved playing on the beach - beautiful.
June 2018
Fascinating
May 2018
Great place if the weather good.
May 2018
Amazing!
January 2018
Love it. And it's a great base for this part of Devon. Excellent coastal/cliff walking.
October 2017
Well worth the walk along the coastal path,stunning views and 2 nice pubs for lunch
August 2017
Lovely location, beautiful beaches and some great places to eat!
August 2017
A really nice walk over the hill tops from Thurlestone, Hope Cove is pretty but a bit busier than other places we visited. Lovely views.
July 2017
Fantastic place
July 2017
Breathtaking views, very quiet village, very peaceful.
June 2017
A beautiful coastal village with two sandy beaches. The village centre has some pretty thatched cottages and there is a good choice of places to eat most with sea views. We ate most nights at the Hope and Anchor and they are dog friendly. We enjoyed walking along the coastal paths with fine views from both sides of the village. Hope Cove is a good base to explore South Devon with Salcombe, Kingsbridge and Totnes within easy reach.
May 2017
Friendly , beautiful - everything you could want in a holiday spot - didn't matter what the weather was like ,plenty to do and see .
May 2017
Lovely and well worth a visit.
May 2017
A really pretty place with all you need fir a relaxing holiday, beautiful views and lovely coast walks
April 2017
Beautiful coves and pretty cottages
April 2017
Absolutely love this place! Perfect for families, safe swimming and and lots of rock pools to explore. Our kids were down there every day. Can't wait to come back next year. Mrs Sutton
December 2016
(17)
The first beach as you walk along the Cliff Road out of Salcombe, North Sands sits in a valley and is a sandy horseshoe shaped beach that’s expansive at low tide. Thanks to its shape and location, it’s extremely popular in the summer because there’s plenty of space to set up camp for the day with buckets, spades and fishing nets in tow for avid marine biologists and sand castle connoisseurs. The beach has a fresh water stream running through it from the top of the valley, which, aside from providing hours of entertainment for accompanying dogs and a marvellous place to wash the sand off your feet, also means that the beach is largely wet sand, so don’t forget to take something to sit on if you’re heading there for the day. Popular with swimmers, despite the chilly water, North Sands provides a wonderful view out of the mouth of the Salcombe estuary and into the deep blue yonder so, for keen photographers, it’s ideal. If the weather is right then it’s a favourite amongst body boarders or even surfers on choppier days, and it’s a great place to take the paddle boards and kayaks if you happen to have them. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, unlike many of the beaches in the area, there are toilets over the road and there’s a car park with charges from £1 throughout the year. The cherry on top of this beautiful location is The Winking Prawn café and restaurant that’s right next to the beach. Open all year round they serve everything from breakfast, lunch and dinner to coffee, tea and cake, and in the summer they provide a barbecue in the garden overlooking the sea. It is popular though so leave a little time to queue for that Salcombe Dairy honeycomb ice cream in the height of summer!
A wonderful sheltered bay, the sea is so clean and lovely to swim in. Disabled access and dog friendly with the lovely cafe close by.
October 2023
Very nice beach. Very clean.
July 2023
Swim here daily when in Salcombe.
June 2023
A great dog friendly beach. Check the tide times, go at low tide, makes a fabulous beach to look for shells, relax in the sun, and walk in the stuff with your dog.
May 2023
Excellent beach for dogs
May 2023
Nice beach it's great dog friendly beach
May 2023
What a beautiful place to walk to along Coast Road from Salcombe town. The view through the trees to the amazing colour of the water is breathtaking and North Sands is spectacular. We could have sat just people watching all day. The winking prawn is a lovely place for a drink or bite to eat.
July 2022
Lovely beach which is a quick walk down from the property, food and toilets but neither used.
July 2022
Brilliant beach for all the family within walking distance of cottage. Car park and toilets nearby.
May 2022
Fantastic clean beach. Dog friendly
September 2021
Excellent clean and safe dog friendly beach. Very friendly and helpful locals.
May 2021
Lovely clean family friendly beach
July 2020
Lovely beach , easily accessible , particularly with elderly members in the party .
September 2019
North Sands is a wonderful beach great for families, the winking prawn restaurant is great for anything from snacks to a full meal stunning views out to sea
October 2018
Very nice beach for dog lovers and good café.
July 2018
Gorgeous, just stunning! Brilliant beach, fabulous cafe (Winking Prawn) and good priced car park! Love, love, love it!!
August 2017
Superb safe and stunningly picturesque
June 2017