Hope-Cove Beaches

Overview

Hope Cove is a delightful coastal village in South Devon, cherished for its sheltered sandy beaches. Many visitors appreciate its traditional charm and how welcoming it is for families. The village itself is home to two main beaches, Mouthwell Sands and Harbour Beach, both offering idyllic settings for a classic seaside escape.

Among the local favourites, Mouthwell Sands stands out as a top pick for family fun with its golden sands. Nearby, you'll discover other remarkable beaches highlighted by our editors. South Milton Sands is famed for the iconic Thurlestone Rock and is great for watersports. Surfers flock to Bantham Beach for its excellent waves, while Mill Bay offers a picturesque estuary daytrip perfect for families. The clear waters in the area are inviting for a swim.

Within Hope Cove, while Mouthwell Sands is popular, Harbour Beach offers a slightly different experience, often with more space to explore. Each beach in the vicinity has its own unique character, ensuring there's a perfect spot for everyone. For more inspiration and to discover other beautiful coastal locations, please see our longer list of beaches in the guide. Hope Cove truly offers a peaceful and picturesque retreat.

Top Beaches

Harbour Beach

The larger of Hope Cove's two central beaches, Harbour Beach offers quintessential village charm and year-round dog-friendliness. Situated in Inner Hope, this wide sandy expanse is backed by the picturesque old lifeboat station and provides breathtaking views towards Bolt Tail. It's a popular spot for walkers accessing the South West Coast Path and for those simply wishing to soak in the traditional, unspoilt atmosphere of a classic South Devon bay. The beach is a hive of activity in summer with sailing dinghies and small boats often seen launching for adventures on the clear waters. Even in winter, it offers a dramatic spectacle as waves crash against the sea wall, making it a beloved destination throughout the year.

🏡 Village Heart

Harbour Beach

Quintessential Hope Cove beach, central to the village, offering scenic views, harbour life, and year-round dog access. This wide sandy inlet, the largest in Hope Cove, is sheltered by the headland of Bolt Tail and provides breathtaking views of the rolling cliffs. It's a place where you can often see sailing dinghies and small motorboats moored in the summer, and it remains a working harbour with a few small fishing boats still operating. The beach is backed by the charming village, with its picturesque square of thatched cottages in Inner Hope nearby, and offers direct access to the South West Coast Path for stunning walks. Its history is rooted in fishing and even smuggling, with the sheltered harbour providing refuge from storms for centuries. Many visitors enjoy watching the fishermen bring in their daily catch or simply soaking up the traditional seaside atmosphere.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Fun

Mouthwell Sands

The most popular choice for families, known for its golden sand, rock pools, and seasonal lifeguard service. Nestled in Outer Hope, the northern part of the charming fishing village, Mouthwell Sands is a beautiful, smaller cove that captures the essence of a traditional, unspoilt South Devon bay. Steep cliffs provide a picturesque backdrop and a sense of shelter, while a gentle stream often trickles across the sand, delighting younger visitors. From its shores, you can enjoy lovely views out towards Thurlestone and the iconic Burgh Island in the distance. As part of the South Devon National Landscape, its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere make it a truly special spot within Hope Cove.

What are the beaches like in Hope Cove?

Hope Cove has two main sandy beaches: Mouthwell Sands (also known as Outer Hope) and Harbour Beach (Inner Hope). Both are sheltered, making them ideal for families, sunbathing, and building sandcastles. Mouthwell is generally more popular and has seasonal lifeguards, while Harbour Beach is larger and offers views of Bolt Tail.

Is Hope Cove good for a family beach holiday?

Yes, Hope Cove is considered very family-friendly. Its beaches are sandy and sheltered, with rock pools for exploring at low tide. The water quality is excellent, and Mouthwell Sands often has seasonal lifeguards. The village atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming for families.

Hope Cove

Can you swim in the sea at Hope Cove?

Yes, swimming is popular at Hope Cove. The waters are generally calm and clear, especially in the sheltered cove, making it suitable for swimmers of various abilities. The water quality is rated as excellent.

Hope Cove

Which beach in Hope Cove is better, Mouthwell or Harbour Beach?

Both beaches have their appeal. Mouthwell Sands (Outer Hope) is smaller, closer to the main car park, and popular with families and for watersports; it also has seasonal lifeguards. Harbour Beach (Inner Hope) is larger, allows dogs year-round (on leads), and is great for walkers and exploring rock pools. It really depends on your priorities for the day.

Are there places to stay with beach access in Hope Cove?

Yes, Hope Cove offers various accommodation options, including hotels, cottages, and apartments, some of which are located very close to the beaches or offer sea views and easy beach access. Staying in the village means you can often walk to the beaches.

See the full list of accommodation options here.

Are dogs allowed on Hope Cove beaches?

Harbour Beach in Hope Cove is dog-friendly all year round, but dogs must be kept on a lead. Mouthwell Sands has a seasonal dog ban, typically from May 1st to September 30th (during daytime hours, 10 am to 7 pm according to one source). Outside of these dates/times, dogs are welcome on Mouthwell Sands.

What's the water quality like at Hope Cove beaches?

The water quality at Hope Cove beaches is consistently rated as excellent. The sea is often described as clear with a blue-green tint, and the beaches have previously received Blue Flag awards, indicating high environmental standards.

Is there parking near the beaches in Hope Cove?

Yes, there is a main pay and display car park located just above Mouthwell Sands, providing easy access to both beaches. Another small car park is situated to the south of Hope Cove. Some limited road parking may also be available, but the main car park is the most convenient option.

Beyond Hope Cove Bay

South Hams Coastal Explorer

Venture out to discover the diverse beauty of the South Hams coastline, from sheltered estuaries to dramatic shingle ridges, all within reach for a day's exploration from Hope Cove.

⛵ Estuary Escape

Mill Bay

Perfect for a family day out, this sheltered, sandy beach on the Salcombe Estuary offers safe bathing and is easily reached by a scenic ferry trip from Salcombe.

🛶 Salcombe Seaside

South Sands Beach

A popular Salcombe spot with golden sands and clear waters, ideal for watersports and accessible by road or a fun sea tractor ferry from the town.

🌲 Pine-Fringed Gem

Blackpool Sands

Discover this stunning, privately-owned fine shingle beach, famed for its turquoise waters and excellent facilities, set against a backdrop of evergreen pines.

🌾 Nature's Coastline

Slapton Sands

Walk this impressive three-mile shingle bar separating the sea from Slapton Ley, a freshwater nature reserve, ideal for coastal walks and wildlife enthusiasts.

Beaches for Every Taste

Dog Friendly Beaches in Hope-Cove

Nudist Beaches in Hope-Cove

Hikes to Quieter Shores

Secluded Coast Path Coves

For adventurous visitors, Hope Cove is a gateway to the wilder side of the coast, with stunning walks leading to these less-trodden, beautiful coves.

🚶 Path to the Rock

South Milton Sands

Take the scenic coastal path walk from Hope Cove to discover this wide sandy beach famed for its view of Thurlestone Rock.

🤫 Tucked-Away Gem

Man Sands

Accessible only by a quiet countryside walk, this sand and pebble beach offers a peaceful retreat for those seeking solitude.

🎒 Hiker's Reward

Scabbacombe Sands

Reaching this remote and unspoiled sandy cove requires a steep walk down from the coast path, rewarding determined explorers with true tranquility.

🏞️ Ruggedly Remote

Landcombe Cove

A challenging but beautiful walk along the coast path reveals this secluded shingle and sand cove set beneath dramatic cliffs.

Local gems for everyone

Explore More Local Beaches

📍 3.1km - Hope-Cove

Torquay Beach

Torquay Beach is a popular and scenic beach located close to the ...

📍 1.5km - Hope-Cove

Meadfoot Beach

Meadfoot Beach is a picturesque location known for its serene atm...

📍 2.6km - Hope-Cove

Oddicombe Beach

Oddicombe Beach is a popular destination located in Babbacombe, T...

📍 9.1km - Hope-Cove

Teignmouth Beach

Teignmouth Beach is a beautiful location in the UK, known for its...

📍 15.4km - Hope-Cove

Dawlish Warren Beach

Dawlish Warren Beach is a beautiful spot, known for its golden sa...

📍 5.8km - Hope-Cove

Paignton Sands

Paignton Sands is a beach situated in the south-west of Devon. Th...

📍 3.9km - Hope-Cove

Watcombe Beach

Watcombe Beach is a cove situated in Torquay, Devon, UK. The beac...

📍 5.3km - Hope-Cove

Preston Sands

Preston Sands is a popular beach located in Paignton, known for i...

📍 14.9km - Hope-Cove

Sugary and Castle Cove

Castle Cove is a sand and pebble beach situated in Devon, United ...

📍 7km - Hope-Cove

Oyster Cove

Oyster Cove is a small beach situated in Devon, United Kingdom, b...

📍 7.6km - Hope-Cove

Goodrington Sands

Goodrington Sands is a beach located in the English Riviera near ...

📍 7.9km - Hope-Cove

Broadsands Beach

Broadsands Beach is a sandy beach located in a lovely bay. The be...

📍 8km - Hope-Cove

Ness Cove Beach

Ness Cove Beach is a small, secluded beach cove known for its uni...

📍 4.9km - Hope-Cove

Maidencombe Beach

Maidencombe Beach is a secluded bay located just off the Torquay ...

📍 7.3km - Hope-Cove

Churston Cove

Churston Cove is a scenic and secluded beach located in Brixham, ...

📍 8km - Hope-Cove

Elberry Cove

Elberry Cove is a picturesque and serene beach located in Chursto...

📍 1.3km - Hope-Cove

Redgate Beach

Redgate Beach is a beach in Torquay, Devon, United Kingdom. Posit...

📍 2.2km - Hope-Cove

Babbacombe Beach

Babbacombe Beach is a beach that is shaped like a crescent. It is...

📍 3.2km - Hope-Cove

Torre Abbey

Torre Abbey Beach is situated in Torquay, Devon, United Kingdom a...

📍 4.7km - Hope-Cove

Hollicombe

Hollicombe Beach is a red sand beach located in Paignton, Devon, ...

The fastest way to find the best Hope-Cove Beaches