Outer Hope on the coast of Hope Cove

Beach, tides and coastal history in Outer Hope

Outer Hope combines a distinctive stretch of coastline with impressive traces of the past. The village is home to one of the two sandy beaches of Hope Cove in the South Devon National Landscape. As the smaller beach to the north, Outer Hope is also known as Mouthwell Sands. The combination of sandy and rocky areas invites visitors to explore rock pools. It is worth taking the tides into account when planning your day: at high tide, only a small section of the beach remains, while at low tide more sand and rocks become visible.

For families who want to observe the coast together, this creates a varied day at the beach with a clearly perceptible natural change. The beaches of Hope Cove have seasonal lifeguards, and the water quality is rated as excellent. Toilets, beach restaurants and bars, as well as shops selling beach essentials and refreshments, are also available at Hope Cove beach. The Kiln, a small ice-cream parlour right on Hope Cove beach, adds a delightful finishing touch.

Water activities and paths around Bolt Tail

Despite the lack of consistently large waves, Hope Cove is a popular surfing area. The relatively sheltered bay also makes the village a popular place for sea swimming. Reefs and four wrecks make Hope Cove a diving area as well. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Outer Hope can therefore consider whether beach exploration, swimming, surfing or diving should be the focus of their trip.

The paths also lead to prominent landscape and historical sites. On the ascent from Hope Cove to Bolt Tail, you pass the remains of an Iron Age hillfort. The Iron Age Bolt Tail Camp has an earthwork bank extending 274 metres along the neck of the headland and rising up to 4.6 metres high. The Iron Age fortification on Bolt Tail is around 2,500 years old. A circular walk from Outer Hope follows the coastal path towards Thurlestone and then heads inland to South Huish Farm. The Hope Cove, Bolt Tail & Bolberry Down circular walk ends at Outer Hope Car Park.

Harbour, fishing and Sea Captain’s Houses

The history of Hope Cove is closely linked to the sea and small-scale fishing. The sheltered twin coves of Inner Hope and Outer Hope provided natural protection for small-scale fishing along this section of the South Hams coast. Hope Cove Harbour offers moorings for seagoing vessels and has a tide-dependent boat-launching facility. The harbour breakwater was completed in 1925.

One of the notable historic features is the Pilchard Cellar, also known as the Cellars. The rustic harbour building, with lobster pots and fishing equipment, makes a good subject for visitors. Ashleigh and Tarqua are the only surviving examples of houses built in the 19th century by wealthy captains of ocean-going fruit schooners from Salcombe. The Sea Captain’s Houses are an important testament to Hope Cove’s past. The history of the coastguard is also connected with Outer Hope: the eight coastguards and their supervisor were initially housed in the buildings at Shippen in Outer Hope.

The right accommodation for your travel plans

Outer Hope is a suitable destination for travellers who want to combine the coast, maritime history and paths around Bolt Tail. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can therefore first decide which experiences should shape your days: the changing tides on the beach, a coastal path, historical traces or activities on the water.

Discover more places

If you would like to compare other destinations alongside Outer Hope, you can also explore West Buckland, Hartland, Drewsteignton, Yarcombe, Luppitt, Newton Poppleford, Chudleigh and Staverton.

For the overarching travel overview: Devon.