Hope Cove guide
Hope Cove beaches: a guide to Harbour Beach and Mouthwell Sands
Hope Cove is two beaches either side of a small headland, in a sheltered corner of the South Devon coast between Salcombe and Bigbury.
Harbour Beach at Inner Hope
Harbour Beach sits directly below the old fishing village at Inner Hope. Sheltered by the breakwater, it has sand at low tide, rock pools to explore and slipways on both sides of the cove. The setting brings the beach and the fishing village together, with the sheltered water lying below the village.
Of Hope Cove's two beaches, Harbour Beach is the calmer one. It is good for swimming and crabbing, as well as launching kayaks, paddle boards and small boats from the cove. At lower tide, the sand and rock pools give visitors more of the shore to explore.
The breakwater and the shape of Inner Hope distinguish Harbour Beach from the more open sand nearby. The slipways on both sides are part of its working-cove character, while the beach itself changes as the tide covers and reveals the sand and rock pools.
Mouthwell Sands at Outer Hope
On the other side of the small headland, Mouthwell Sands is the bigger stretch of sand. It is backed by the shop, pub, cafe and art gallery at Outer Hope, and it picks up more of the surf than Harbour Beach.
The two beaches feel closely connected, but the tide changes the most direct route between them. At high tide, when walking across the sand is not possible, the cliff path links Inner Hope and Outer Hope instead.
This gives the two sides of Hope Cove different characters within a very small area: the calmer harbour below Inner Hope and the larger, more surf-facing beach at Outer Hope. Visitors can choose between them according to the tide and what they would like to do that day.
Other beaches nearby
Thurlestone Sands and South Milton Sands are a walk or a short drive east of Hope Cove. Bantham and Bigbury lie further on in the same direction. To the west, Soar Mill Cove offers another coastal destination beyond the village.
These nearby beaches extend the choice along both sides of the South Devon coast. Thurlestone Sands and South Milton Sands are the closest options named to the east, followed by Bantham and Bigbury, while Soar Mill Cove lies in the opposite direction.
Good to know: tides change what you can do and where you can walk. Dog rules vary by beach and season, so visitors should check locally on the day.
Kittiwake
Staying in Hope Cove
Kittiwake is in Inner Hope, a level 150 metre walk from the beach. It is a spacious family home sleeping 2 to 10, with dogs welcome.