Hope Cove Devon
Hope Cove on the South Hams coast of Devon is a small and exceptionally beautiful fishing village of two communities, Inner Hope and Outer Hope, set in a sheltered bay beneath the great headland of Bolt Tail whose combination of the thatched cottages, the small harbour, the excellent beaches on both sides of the headland and the coastal walking on the South West Coast Path creates one of the most completely satisfying small coastal destinations in south Devon. The village has been a fishing settlement since at least the medieval period and the boats working from the harbour maintain this tradition.
The two coves of Hope Cove, separated by the harbour headland, provide different beach characters. The Inner Hope cove, sheltered and small, provides the most intimate beach experience and the best view of the thatched village cottages. The Outer Hope beach, exposed to the southwest, provides excellent sand and swimming in calmer conditions with the dramatic cliff of Bolt Tail visible to the south. The combination of the two coves in a single visit provides a varied beach experience in a setting of considerable natural beauty.
The South West Coast Path running from Bolt Tail to Bolberry Down and beyond provides some of the finest coastal walking in the South Hams, the great sweep of Bigbury Bay visible from the headlands and the continuous cliff scenery of the Devon coast providing walking of exceptional quality in both directions from the village.