Hope Cove is one of South Devon’s most loved coastal villages – the kind of place where beach days roll into sunset drinks, coastal walks start right from your doorstep, and the car can stay parked for most of the week. With two sandy beaches, excellent places to eat, and some of the best views on the South West Coast Path, it’s a brilliant base for a South Devon holiday.
Whether you’re visiting as a family, a couple, a walker or a dog owner, Hope Cove has that rare “everything you need in one place” feel – but without ever feeling commercial or crowded like some of the bigger South Hams hotspots.
Why Hope Cove Is a Special Place to Stay
Hope Cove has a proper village atmosphere. It’s friendly, relaxed and beautifully unpolished – the kind of place where kids spend hours on the sand, walkers disappear along the cliff paths, and locals and visitors mix easily in the pub.
You’ve got two beaches, several great food options, a coffee stand, a shop and a brilliant coastal path network that leads to Thurlestone, South Milton Sands, Bantham, Bolberry Down and even Salcombe. It’s everything a South Devon holiday should be.
The Beaches: Inner Hope & Outer Hope
Hope Cove’s two beaches are the heart of the village. Their different characters make the whole place incredibly flexible: sheltered and calm when you need it, lively and open when you want space. Locals switch between them depending on the weather, the tide or simply what kind of beach day they’re after.
Harbour Beach (Inner Hope)
Tucked into the older, more historic part of the village, Harbour Beach is all about calm water, sheltered sand and classic seaside charm. Families love it because it feels safe, contained and welcoming.
What to expect
- A large stretch of wet sand at low tide – perfect for games, digging and paddling
- A small, friendly wave on certain days, great for bodyboarding and kids
- A breakwater that becomes a hive of excitement at high tide
Local insight
When the tide comes in, Harbour Beach feels like a natural playground. Kids love standing on the breakwater watching waves hit the wall, and when conditions are safe and the tide is high, the end of the wall is one of the best places in the South Hams for jumping into the sea.
It’s hugely popular – just avoid it during stormy weather.
Dog access
Dogs are allowed on Harbour Beach all year round, but must be kept on a lead.
Village Beach (Outer Hope)
Village Beach is the livelier, more open end of Hope Cove, framed by pubs, cafés and the main slipway. It’s where people gather for sundowners, sea swims and long beach days with everything close to hand.
What to expect
- Beautiful golden sand
- More exposed to the wind and swell
- Lovely views towards Bolt Tail
- Easy access to food, drink and facilities
On windy days, locals often “beach hop” between the two – one is almost always more sheltered.
Dog access
Seasonal restrictions apply in summer (from 1st May to 31st September) so check local signage.
Where to Eat & Drink in Hope Cove
For a small village, Hope Cove offers an impressive mix of relaxed places to eat and drink – all walkable and all with that laid-back coastal feel. Whether it’s seafood with a view, a pub lunch after a stormy walk, or early morning coffee before hitting the beach, everything is close and consistently good.
The Cove
A lively bar and restaurant with sea views, great food and a relaxed atmosphere. It gets busy – arriving early is the local trick. No reservations.
Local secret: There’s a hidden roof terrace above the first floor. Climb the stairs at the back and you’ll find one of the best sunset spots in the village.
Lobster Pod
Seafood served in cosy glass pods overlooking the bay. Unique, memorable and perfect for a special meal.
Hope & Anchor
A proper coastal pub serving reliable, hearty food right on the beachfront.
Curator Coffee (car park)
A small takeaway stand doing excellent coffee and cakes – ideal for beach mornings.
Cove Coffee
Another good option in Outer Hope, handy when the main bar is busy.
The Cottage Hotel
A traditional coastal hotel offering excellent Sunday roasts with a view.
Who Hope Cove Is Best For
Hope Cove has a broad, easygoing appeal. It’s sociable without being noisy, scenic without being remote, and lively in summer without ever tipping into chaos. This makes it a brilliant fit for a wide mix of visitors.
Perfect for:
- Families – safe beaches, soft sand, bodyboarding, easy eating options
- Couples – especially outside peak summer, when it’s calm and peaceful
- Walkers – some of the best sections of the coast path start here
- Dog owners – great beaches and year-round walks
- Anyone wanting a relaxed, friendly village atmosphere
Not ideal for:
- Serious surfers (Bantham is where you want to go)
- People who dislike narrow Devon lanes
- Anyone looking for nightlife
Walking Routes from Hope Cove
Hope Cove sits on one of the most beautiful sections of the South West Coast Path. These are the routes locals genuinely love:
Hope Cove → South Milton Sands (1.5 miles one way)
One of the easiest and most popular walks during a Hope Cove holiday, and for good reason. The path climbs gently out of Outer Hope and opens into huge rolling views almost immediately – the sort that make you stop and take a photo even on a cloudy day. The route is easy, well-trodden and suitable for families of all ages, with just enough undulation to feel like a proper coast walk without being demanding.
As you approach Thurlestone, the famous stone arch appears offshore and the scenery softens into sandy bays and grassy headlands. At the end, you can grab a drink at The Beach House or on the beach before heading back home.
Hope Cove → Thurlestone (2 miles one way)
Continuing beyond South Milton Sands takes you past Leas Foot Beach and up into the village. The walk varies between clifftops, short steep dips and sheltered coves, always with the sea on your left.
Head into the village for a drink and some chips at the Village Inn, or try the hotel for a cream tea on the lawn before retracing your steps home.
Hope Cove → Bantham (3.5 miles one way)
This is a longer, scenic route that showcases just how beautiful this stretch of Devon really is. From Hope Cove, you wind your way north past South Milton Sands before climbing towards the headlands above Leas Foot Beach. After that it’s Yarmer Beach and Broadsands (a great swimming spot for those brave enough to take on the cliff path down). The views expand in every direction: Burgh Island ahead, Bolt Tail behind, and deep turquoise coves below you on clear days.
It’s a full morning or afternoon’s outing, but the payoff is huge. Bantham Beach is one of the best in the UK, and the approach from the cliffs gives you that spectacular sweeping panorama of dunes, estuary and surf. Grab a coffee, a pint or some lunch in Bantham before heading home; the return walk feels just as impressive.
Hope Cove → Bolt Tail loop (1.5 mile loop)
This is the easiest route for a stunning high-level walk. Instead of hugging the shoreline, the path rises gradually behind the village and brings you up onto Bolt Tail – a wide, open headland managed by the National Trust.
Known for its big skies, huge sea views and dramatic cliffs, Bolt Tail is one of the best sunset-watching spots in the South Hams. It’s a great option for walkers who like space, clean air and panoramic coastal scenery without steep climbs. The path continues up to Bolberry, but walkers can turn left at a stile and fence, to head downhill and back into the village.
Hope Cove → Salcombe (8.5 mile one way)
This is a big walk and one for keen hikers, but it’s an absolute bucket-list route. The path is varied and dramatic, featuring wooded valleys, steep cliff sections, hidden beaches, open headlands, and long vistas towards Prawle Point and the Kingsbridge Estuary. East Soar Beach and Starehole Bay are beautiful stops, while the final ascent around the corner of the Salcombe Estuary is simply breathtaking.
As you near Salcombe, the landscape softens again and the water becomes a deep estuary blue. You arrive right into the town via South Sands and North Sands, offering cafés, swimming spots and gentle places to rest.
It’s a long day but an unforgettable one – the kind that sticks with you long after the holiday ends. Check local bus timetables to find the best way back, or book a taxi in advance.
Practical Tips (Local Advice)
Hope Cove is straightforward once you’re in, but the approach roads and popularity of the beaches can surprise first-timers. A few small things make a big difference.
- Approach via Malborough to avoid the worst of the narrow lanes
- Look ahead on the lanes and use passing places properly
- Get to the beach early in summer – especially Village Beach
- Check dog restrictions on Village Beach in peak season
- Plan meals: The Cove doesn’t take bookings and gets busy
- Try both beaches – one is usually quieter or more sheltered
- Breakwater jumping is great fun at high tide, but avoid during storms
When to Visit Hope Cove
Hope Cove changes beautifully through the seasons, offering something different with each passing one. The village never feels dead, even in winter; you’ll find walkers, swimmers and locals heading into the pub after wind-whipped cliff paths.
Summer
Busy but brilliant – long beach days, great swimming, stunning sunsets and lively evenings at The Cove. Look out for the Hope Cove Weekend in August, rental prices are at a premium, and the village gets extremely busy with three days of activities and events. It’s great fun but not a time to visit for a peaceful break.
Spring/Autumn
Often the best time to visit. Quieter beaches, perfect walking weather, pubs still lively and soft golden light on the cliffs.
Winter
Wild, beautiful and peaceful. Think storm watching, empty beaches, crisp coastal walks and cosy evenings by the fire.
Getting Around & Parking
Hope Cove is small and everything is close, which makes it perfect for car-free days. Once you’ve parked up, often at your cottage or in the main Outer Hope car park, you can walk everywhere: the beaches, coastal paths, pubs, cafés and shop.
Most visitors leave their car parked for most of the week, unless they’re exploring further afield.
Why Hope Cove Makes a Brilliant Holiday Base
What makes Hope Cove so special is the wealth of amenities it offers within such a small, walkable area. You can head from cottage to coast path, from beach to pub, and from morning coffee to sunset drinks without having to touch the car. It’s that rare mix of convenience, scenery and gentle village life that keeps people coming back year after year, especially families who want an easy, low-stress holiday.
Hope Cove gives you all the ingredients of a South Hams break in one place:
- Two beaches
- Great food
- Easy coast path access
- A friendly village feel
- Stunning scenery
- Family and dog-friendly options
It’s the kind of place you visit once and end up returning to again and again – and one of the true coastal gems of the South Hams.