The Best Places to Stay in Hope Cove

Hope Cove is a picturesque coastal village located in the South Hams. Its stunning natural beauty, with rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and clear blue waters, make it a popular destination for visitors seeking a relaxing seaside retreat. If you’re planning to visit Hope Cove and looking for the best places to stay, here are our recommendations.

Where is Hope Cove?

Hope Cove is tucked away in the heart of South Devon, nestled among some of the area’s most idyllic towns and villages. Despite its wonderfully rural location, travelling to Hope Cove isn’t as complicated as you might first think. South Devon is well connected to London and the rest of the country by rail and road. To find out more about how to get to Hope Cove, read our Hope Cove travel guide. 

The village is divided into two parts, Inner Hope and Outer Hope, which are connected by a footpath along the coast. Inner Hope is a quaint, historic fishing village with narrow lanes, whitewashed cottages, and a small harbour where fishing boats dance in and out. Outer Hope is the larger part of the village and features a beautiful sandy beach known as Mouthwell Sands, which is popular for swimming, sunbathing, and watersports.

Why you should visit Hope Cove

One of the highlights of Hope Cove is its beautiful beaches. The beaches are clean and well-maintained, with golden sand and crystal waters. Mouthwell Sands and Harbour Beach are both family-friendly beaches, offering safe swimming conditions for children and opportunities for beachcombing and rockpooling. The beaches are also popular for boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

The village is surrounded by stunning coastal scenery, with craggy cliffs, wild coastal walks, and panoramic views of the sea. The South West Coast Path, a popular long-distance walking trail, passes through Hope Cove, offering spectacular views of the coastline and opportunities to explore the countryside.

The village itself is small and welcoming. You will find quaint, cosy pubs serving delicious seafood (be sure to visit our personal favourite, the Hope and Anchor) and a local shop and gallery. Hope Cove’s maritime history and culture is also fascinating and you can experience it all at the annual Hope Cove Weekend on the August Bank Holiday. There’s a sense of tranquillity in Hope Cove, with little to no commercial development, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful getaway. 

In addition to its natural beauty, Hope Cove is also a great base for exploring the wider South Hams area, with nearby attractions including Salcombe, a popular sailing and boating destination, and Thurlestone, known for its beautiful beaches and golf course.

Where to stay in Hope Cove

There is nothing better than sleeping just a stone’s throw away from the water. A stay in Hope Cove will offer you just that. There are lots of great little holiday cottages to choose from in the village. Here are some of our favourites. 

Choosing a self-catering holiday cottage

When deciding where to stay in Hope Cove, we recommend that you consider a self-catering holiday cottage to really immerse yourself in the village. The privacy and freedom of a self-catering cottage or apartment makes it superior to any hotel or B&B. 

One of the biggest advantages of staying in a self-catering holiday cottage is the flexibility and freedom it offers. You can set your own schedule, cook your own meals using delicious local ingredients, and come and go as you please.

Self-catering holiday cottages are ideal for groups of family and friends. They offer more space compared to hotel rooms, allowing you to stay and eat together under one roof. For a real home away from home experience, why not bring your pooch along? Many self-catering holiday cottages are dog-friendly, which means you don’t have to leave your furry friends behind. In Hope Cove, dogs are welcome at Mouthwell Sands from September to April, while Harbour Beach is dog-friendly all year.

The Lanterns, Hope Cove

The Lanterns are a unique cluster of luxury holiday apartments in Hope Cove. With exceptional views over the water, these stylish apartments sit proudly on the cliff top overlooking Hope Cove’s two beaches. The apartments are all dog-friendly and have private balconies with enviable views over the South Hams. If you are looking for a bright, spacious base for your holiday in the South Hams, The Lanterns are an excellent option.

Apartment 14, Withie Cove 

The Lanterns’ Withie Cove is the perfect place to relax and indulge in all that Hope Cove has to offer. The apartment sleeps two, making it the ideal bolthole for a romantic retreat. Glorious sea views are framed by expansive floor to ceiling windows that open up onto the private balcony. The bedroom has a king-size bed and views over the rooftops of the village and the rolling Devon countryside beyond. The modern kitchen is kitted out with the latest high spec appliances by Neff, a Nespresso coffee machine and DeLonghi kettle and toaster. 

Dusky Cottage, Hope Cove

This quintessentially Devonian thatched cottage provides the setting for a peaceful, tranquil retreat for all the family. Dusky Cottage is situated close to Hope Cove where you can enjoy long days on the beach, indulging in ice cream and seafood. Once the sun starts to set, you can make the short journey back to your cosy cottage to relax some more in the hot tub or around the fire pit. 

Dusky Cottage sleeps eight over four delightful bedrooms, all with windows boasting views of the countryside. The master bedroom is complete with a four-poster bed. The beautiful interiors continue downstairs where you can find two gas wood burners tucked in the living and dining spaces and an Aga in the kitchen. 

We hope that this inspired you to visit and stay in Hope Cove. Take a look at our other Finest properties in the fabulous South Hams. From Salcombe to Dartmouth, we have you covered.