Things to do in Hope Cove
The picturesque fishing village of Hope Cove lies in the shelter of Bolt Tail in Bigbury Bay. Hope Cove is an idyllic holiday retreat offering charming thatched cottages, pristine sandy beaches, and a peaceful atmosphere. Choose to sit back and watch the tide go out and come in with a locally brewed beer in hand, or get active and explore the coastline from the water.
Hope Cove Travel
How to get to Hope Cove Hope Cove may be tucked away in a stunning location with three fabulous beaches and great seafood restaurants… but it’s really not that hard to find! Sitting on the beautiful south Devon coast the charming fishing habitat of Hope Cove is your quintessential Devon village with pretty thatched cottages, a shop cum post office, an art gallery and a handful of great places to eat… in fact Hope Cove is quite a dining experience! Think Lobster pods, woodfired pizza and a nearby beach house serving up the best seafood just a 20-minute walk along the coast and you're on the right track! But getting to Hope Cove isn’t as complicated as you may think. Yes, there are just a few miles of narrow country lanes down to the village, but that goes with the territory. You’ll soon feel the sand between your toes and enjoy a picnic on the beach. Whether you’re arriving by air, rail or road, here’s how to get to Hope Cove Flying to Hope Cove Internal flights into both Bristol and Exeter airports are quick and easy. You can fly into Exeter from Guernsey, Dublin, Belfast City, Jersey, Isles of Scilly, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow and collect a hire car and drive to Hope Cove which is about 47 miles. Alternatively, fly into Bristol airport (111 miles) and either get a train from Bristol Temple Meads station to Totnes and a taxi to Hope Cove or pick up a hire car. Driving to Hope Cove South Devon is well connected to London, The Midlands, Wales and the North with both the A30 and the M5 bringing you to Exeter, it’s here that you’ll join the A38, the main dual carriageway which runs between Exeter and Plymouth. Once on the A38 follow signs for Totnes and then Kingsbridge and Salcombe. Hope Cove is just off the Salcombe Road before you get to Malborough; a signposted turn on the right-hand side. Follow the lane until you get to Galmpton and then on to Hope Cove. (Just a few miles with plenty of passing places.) As a guide, the drive from London will take around 4.5 hours depending on traffic and from Bristol, around 2 hours. Hope Cove by Train Totnes is the nearest railway station for your holiday in Hope Cove. Trains run regularly from London Paddington, Bristol, Birmingham, Wales and the North. Your journey will take just over three hours from London Paddington. Book a taxi for your arrival at Totnes station; the trip takes around 35 minutes and costs £37 as a guide. Taxi Numbers If you’re arriving by train or you’re planning on going into Kingsbridge or Salcombe for dinner while you’re on holiday, it’s worth having a few of our local taxi numbers plumbed into your mobile. There’s a taxi rank at the station in Totnes but these quickly get snapped up when a busy train pulls up to the platform so we recommend booking your cab before you travel. You won’t find taxis waiting for a fare at Hope Cove so for that special evening out, again it's best to pre-book your trip. Ultimate List of Hope Cove Taxi Numbers
Beaching
South Devon is renowned for its beautiful coastline and sandy beaches. Hope Cove is no exception.
Wellness in Hope Cove
Wellness in Hope Cove It’s okay to relax and indulge a little on holiday; who can resist a delicious Devon Cream tea, a scoop or two of the local ice cream, fish and chips on the beach or a glass of fizz… but don’t worry, help is at hand! Your fitness levels don’t need to slide. In addition to the stunning cliff-top walks, awesome watersports and wild swimming, we have a handful of selected companies who will endeavour to keep you on the right track. So whether you’re looking for a full workout in the gym, sink into the sands with yoga on the beach or a relaxing hot stone massage you’ll find personal trainers and therapists ready to put a spring in your step. Contact us In-house Pampering What could be more relaxing than some in house pampering during your holiday. My Personal Sanctuary offers luxury treatments in the comfort of your own home. Choose from warm deep tissue massage, treats for hands and feet and replenishing facials to holistic full body journeys. Using Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Products, their team of expert therapists work with the botanical plant extracts and pure organic essential oils to relax, recharge and rejeuvenate your mind, body and soul. Get in touch with one of our team to arrange a little in house pampering. Make-up and Beauty Rachel Gaunt is a talented experienced beauty therapist and makeup artist who offers beauty therapy treatments in the comfort of your own home… With some 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, Rachel will share techniques, hints and tips with you. Rachel uses high-end brands including Becca, Nars, Urban Decay, Charlotte Tilbury, Chanel and Rae Morris to reflect your style and personality through a range of professional treatments. Be prepared to destress, rejuvenate and enhance your natural beauty. Fitness The Natural Gym - If you fancy training in the open air try The Natural Gym . What could be better than a work out on the sands as a great way of improving your mind and your body. Devi Majumdar offers excellent outdoor training sessions tailored to suit you. Alternatively, if you fancy a session in your holiday home, Devi will give you a varied, challenging and enjoyable workout! Marvel Fitness - In addition to the alfresco workout sessions, Devi works with Aaron Ryder and the team at Marvel Fitness. The team offer a first class personal service with a well equipped gym and excellent range of cardio work weights and resistence equipment. Willpower Fitness - Offer a unique and specialised programme of classes and personal training sessions. The sessions are suitable for all ages and capabilities and are a great way of improving your overall fitness, wellbeing and health while on holiday. Hen House Fitness Centre - Just on the outskirts of Kingsbridge, the Hen House is a fully equipped private gym with its own resident personal trainers on hand to advise and offer encouragement during your workout. You can find out more about The Hen House or book a session here. Quayside - Quayside leisure centre in Kingsbridge is right in the heart of the town alongside the car park and quay. If you’re looking for fitness and swimming, this is a great option, especially with the family. The kids will love splashing about in the lifeguarded 25 metre swimming pool while the fully qualified fitness instructors put you through your paces in the gym, working with weights, cardiovascular exercise and residence machines. Check out their classes and timetables here.. Yoga and Pilates Simply Soulful Yoga & SUP - Simply Soulful Yoga classes offer a space to escape to. What could be more relaxing than yoga on the beach? Regular classes take place on Harbour Beach at Hope Cove in the early morning, late afternoon and early evening. Simply listen to the sounds of the waves lapping on the shore as you relax and unwind and feel the sand between your toes. Simply Soulful caters for all abilities and the classes run from April through to September, weather permitting. Total chill out experience! Stand-up paddle yoga is becoming hugely popular here in South Devon. It’s a great way of improving your core strength and balance as well as your emotional and spiritual harmony. The Simply Soulful group run paddleboarding sessions in Kingsbridge just a short drive from Hope Cove. If you haven’t tried it before, give it a go! Yoga at Harbour House - Harbour House in Kingsbridge is the place to go for yoga, pilates, tai chi, kung fu and meditation classes. With three beautiful yoga studios, why not book yourself into a class and awaken your senses, realign and integrate your body and your mind. They also have an excellent cafe! More about Harbour House Yoga and Pilates here. Massage and Shiatsu Hanna Quiggin at The Hen House – Hanna is a Pilates teacher and Soft Tissue Therapist offering deep tissue massage, relaxing massage and one-to-one Pilates sessions. If you’re planning a bit of ‘me time’ during your holiday check out Hanna’s website for further details and a menu of massage treatments available. Shiatsu and Qigong Finest Stays have arranged for guests to have an in-house Shiatsu and Qigong experience with Shiatsu Practitioner and Qigong Teacher Tasha Kalisher, whilst in their holiday home. Tasha’s passion is to empower clients, enabling them to have a deeper understanding of themselves. Tasha will arrange to come and set up for a half or full day for groups of friends or family to experience Shiatsu and Qigong. Shiatsu is a deeply relaxing, restorative fully clothed massage which works to bring the body and mind into balance through acupoints, stretches, rotations and pressure. Qigong is a great physical workout through moving meditation which stretches the muscles and opens the body, increasing vitality and balance for greater stability and strength.
Culture, Festivals and History
Hope Cove has a friendly, creative community. The old fishing village now offers a relaxed form of tourism that encourages visitors to embrace its maritime history, appreciate nature and simply spend time in the great outdoors.
Walking
Hope Cove is a walker’s paradise. Sitting on the South West Coast Path, this village is a popular spot for those taking in the rugged coastline of the South Hams.
Watersports
Watersports in Hope Cove With two beaches, Hope Cove is the ideal place to try your hand at some watersports. Hire a boat, paddleboard or sea kayak and soak up the unrivalled views from the water. Inner Hope's sheltered and shallow bay makes it perfect for beginners. Sailing If you are bringing your own boat to Hope Cove, you will benefit from the open beach and slipway at Inner Hope, as well as the option for parking your trailer in the local car park. However, before you arrive, make sure that you research more about the harbour, including tide times and the best places to anchor. This will ensure that you make the most of the coastline and stay safe when out on the water. Boat Hire If you are wanting to hire, Hope Boats promise to power your aquatic adventures during your stay. Their self-drive boats give you and your family or friends the freedom to spend a day on the water taking in the breathtaking views of the towering cliffs and exploring sheltered waters. From Hope Cove, Thurlestone Sands, South Milton, Bigbury and Burgh Island are all within safe boating distance. Of course, check the weather and tides before you hire to avoid disappointment. Paddleboarding The calm, clear waters surrounding Hope Cove make it the perfect place for a spot of peaceful paddleboarding. Take your time exploring the curves of the coastline with friends and family. Get your board delivered to you by SUP Away or collect it from their office near Bantham Beach. SUP Away has the latest equipment and hire prices start from just £25 a day. You can find a list of suggested locations, as well as expert safety advice, on their website. Sea Kayaking Sea kayaking is a great way of exploring the coastline around Hope Cove. Not only does it get you active but it helps you discover the beauty of the South Hams from the quiet of the sea and notice parts of the surrounding area that you otherwise wouldn’t have. Roam in and out of coves and, whenever you fancy it, moor up on your own stretch of sand for a break or beach picnic. Hope Cove Kayaks are moored on Harbour Beach and are available to hire for multiple days to a week. Each kayak comes with two paddles, two buoyancy aids, a dry bag, a waterproof phone case, and an optional junior buoyancy aid. Equipment can even be delivered straight to your door if staying at Hope Cove! If you have your own kayak, you can easily get down to the water via the slipway alongside the old lifeboat station at Inner Hope. Diving With the high number of shipwrecks in the locale, diving is also a popular sport for visitors to Hope Cove. However, with no dive centre on-site, you will have to bring your own equipment and be adequately trained before getting in the water. You can change into your gear in the local car park and walk down a short slope to access the shore. Hope Cove offers a shallow dive, with plenty of rocky and seaweed areas to explore. Look out for jellyfish, cuttlefish, seahorses, and even the bobbing head of a seal! Make sure you always dive with a buddy. So if you’re planning to stay in one of our Finest Stays in Hope Cove, and arranging your itinerary of things to do, don’t forget to book your watersports. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our team and we’ll do the leg work for you.
Fancy a paddle and a picnic?
Hope Cove’s beaches are lapped by gin-clear waters, it’s even been named by the Marine Conservation Society as one of the recommended beaches in 2022 with the water quality designation as excellent. Mouthwell Sands in Outer Hope Cove is a beautiful sandy beach with RNLI lifeguards present during the summer months so it’s perfect for young children to paddle and build sandcastles.
Find your sea legs!
If you love watersports head to the beach at Inner Hope for easy access to the sands via the slipway alongside the old RNLI station. This popular playground is great for dinghy sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and wild swimming.
Minibeasts and molluscs on a seashore safari… armed with just a bucket and spade, the kids will love uncovering a thriving habitat. Just take a peek beneath the swathes of seaweed around the rockpools and you’ll find scuttling crabs, limpets, shrimps and snails.
Hike along the coast path.
This is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a stroll or a hike along the South West Coast Path is a real treat. The track clings to the rugged coastline as it passes through Hope Cove so follow the trail in either direction and look out for pods of dolphins, seals and varied birdlife; this coastal landscape is home to herring and black-headed gulls, cormorants, ravens and gannets. South Milton is about a 20-minute walk and Salcombe, 8 miles in the other direction, is a little more strenuous, via Bolt Tail, Soar Mill Cove and Bolt Head.
