We arrived at Hope Cove House on a summer afternoon, the smoky scent of a barbecue wafting from the terrace. Grilled aubergine, smoked mackerel and harissa lamb sizzled on the grill, setting the flavour for our stay. Foodie owners Oli and Alexandra Barker are the driving force behind Holland Park restaurant Six Portland Road, and they've brought their winning formula to the picturesque seaside village of Hope Cove.
Made up of Inner and Outer Hope, this former fishing harbour sits slap bang in South Devon’s Area of Natural Beauty. The South West Coast Path runs right through it, and there are two gorgeous bays hugging its coast. Overlooking Inner Hope bay, Hope Cove House has some of the best views in town. The owners have breathed new life into what was once a tired B&B, crafting 10 bedrooms with style-magazine interiors. And huge windows mean you’re never deprived of that dazzling sea view.
It’s a place that invites you to slow down a few paces. We saw happy families laughing together over dinner, little ones playing with Lego while their parents chatted over wine. Oli and Alexandra are natural hosts, floating between tables refilling empty glasses, pre-emptively offering blankets to terrace diners, sharing tips on the area. Come for a few days and fill up on fresh fish and fabulous wine, sink into a sublimely comfortable bed and wake to the sound of the waves. It’s a blissful place, and it’s hard not to feel right at home.
Highs
- Soul-soothing sea views throughout
- Excellent food, with a daily changing menu and an extensive wine list
- Super comfortable beds - we slept like babies
- The South West Coast Path and some of South Devon’s best beaches are on your doorstep, or a short drive away
- Good value – especially compared to nearby Salcombe – and rates include a delicious continental breakfast (hot dishes are extra)
Lows
- Limited mobile signal and the WiFi didn’t reach our top-floor room, but we loved the digital detox
- Our room (a Double Sea View) had limited space for hanging clothes and there are no full-length mirrors
- Some may find the smaller rooms a little cosy
- Some noise carried into our room from the corridor. If you’re a light sleeper, pack earplugs
- Closed in winter months Sunday evenings until Tuesday lunchtimes (excluding half-terms)
- Boutique Hotel
- 10 rooms
- Restaurant and bar
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Laundry service
Rooms
All of Hope Cove House’s 10 bedrooms are bright and airy, and most look towards the sea. Our top-floor Double Sea View had beautiful views of the bay and the coast beyond, and calming hints of grey and blue throughout were a tasteful nod to the ocean setting. In the morning, we could even hear the waves from our open window. But it’s not all show: supremely comfortable beds with great mattresses and thick duvets make for a restful night’s sleep too.
Rooms vary in size and some may find the smallest doubles and the twin a little cosy. Though all share similarly stylish design, we’d plump for a larger room with a sea view if possible. In addition to the doubles, there is a lovely, large Balcony Room (some would say the nicest room in the house), and a Family Room sleeping four. If there's a big group of you, why not splash out and rent the whole place to yourselves?
Bedrooms are ensuite and bathrooms are finished to a high-spec, with spoiling L:A Bruket toiletries. Most rooms have both walk-in showers and baths, but the Family Rooms have showers only - worth noting if you love a long soak.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- WiFi
Eating
As you’d expect from London restaurateurs, food is a big deal here. Dining spaces embrace the stunning setting with huge windows overlooking the bay, and in the summer months you can dine alfresco on the terrace.
When we visited, there was plenty of fresh fish and seafood on the menu: lobster and maltagliati (a type of pasta), hake and braised fennel, turbot and hollandaise. We plumped for the lemon sole served with hazelnut butter and capers, and the ribeye steak – both were divine. There’s an impressive 60+ strong wine list to accompany, and the bar is a great place to hang out any time of the day.
Breakfast is a real treat, too. Help yourself to homemade granola, Greek yoghurt, fresh berries, fruit compote and kids' cereals. There’s also a raft of knockout cooked options (at extra cost) including a Full English and smoked salmon with scrambled eggs, but it’s the smoky shakshouka we’re still daydreaming about.
With a daily changing menu, you could stay for a week and not get bored, but there’s a handful of additional eateries in the village offering seafood, pub meals and pizzas.
Features include:
- Bar
- Dinner by arrangement
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Hope Cove is a destination in itself: it was once a famed crabbing and fishing harbour, and 30 shipwrecks now make the village a magnet for divers. Uniquely, it was the only place in England where the Spanish Armada made landfall; go for a walk around the village to admire the cottages, many of which are built with the actual beams of Spanish Galleons
- On a calm day, Inner Hope’s bay is perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking or snorkelling. The hotel has a tandem and single kayak for rent
- Surfing and kiteboarding can be arranged at Bantham beach (a 20-minute drive away)
- There are plenty of stunning coastal walks in the area. Thurlestone is 45 minutes on foot, or you can reach Salcombe in about four hours on the South West Coast Path, passing through Bolberry Down
- The popular yachting town of Salcombe is a 15-minute drive away for shopping, sailing and people watching
- If the weather turns, the sitting room is a lovely spot to curl up with a book. There’s also a log burner for the winter months
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Kitesurfing
- Sailing
- Snorkelling
- Surfing
- Swimming
Best Time to go
This area gets very busy with holidaying families in the summer months, and traffic builds up quickly on the narrow roads. That said, it’s also a great time to enjoy the beaches and it offers the best chance of good weather, and there’s more of a buzz to the village. For a quieter break, come in June or September - warm enough for the braver among us to take a dip.
Our Top Tips
This stretch of coastline has a turbulent past, and several ships have been wrecked along the rocks. Take a stroll along the coastal path to Bolt Tail on the headland, an Iron Age Hillfort and the site of one of several WW2 radar stations that operated on this stretch of coastline. On a clear day, you can see across to Bantham Beach and Burgh Island.
Location
Hope Cove House is located in Inner Hope in the South Hams, between Salcombe to the East and Thurlestone to the West. It's an 80-minute drive from Exeter or an hour from Plymouth.
By Air:
Exeter and Newquay are the nearest airports. Click on the links below for airlines serving these airports. You will probably want to hire a car from the airport, see our car rental recommendations.
By Train:
The most convenient station is Totnes (40 mins away), and Alchemy Cars (right outside the station) can take you to Hope Cove from there, or ask the hotel to prearrange a taxi for you.
By Car:
The local village has a couple of pubs and a village shop but you'll probably want a car for exploring further afield. Be prepared for some narrow lanes, and plenty of traffic in summer. Approximate driving times are three and a half hours from London, and two hours from Bristol. There's no specific EV charging point but there is an outdoor plug that can be used for charging (extra cost).
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to the UK and getting around
Airports:
- Exeter 77.0 km
- Newquay 111.0 km
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 0.4 km
- Restaurant 0.3 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 7 independent reviews from i-escape guests
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