This little hike from South Milton Sands to Hope Cove along the South West Coast Path in South West Devon is one of my favourite walks. It lies in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and with the stunning views, you can see why.
This walk is a 1.6km moderately easy route, with an incline of 52m. (We love to walk into Hope Cove and back again, which equates to approx 3km)
The South Milton to Hope Cove is route popular with bird watchers, hikers and walkers. The path is mostly exposed so be mindful of the Devon sunshine and winds in the cooler months.
Getting There
By Train: The closest stations are Ivybridge 14 miles away and Totnes 17 miles away.
By Bus: Buses to South Milton and Thurlestone run from Kingsbridge. The 606 TALLY HO! service runs from Kingsbridge on the hour, taking around 6 minutes and dropping passengers 1 mile outside of South Milton.
By Car: 4 miles outside Kingsbridge. From Kingsbridge take the A381 towards Salcombe. Turn right to South Milton village, then turn left (signposted) to the beach. Please note, the approach road to the beach from the village of South Milton is a narrow lane with limited passing places.
Parking
Park at the National Trust car park at South Milton Sands. Remember your National Trust Card if you’re members and you’ll be able to park for free. It’s a small car park and can get really busy especially during the holidays, so plan your arrival time.
Maps
The route (below) can be found on the Ordnance Survey maps. Ordnance Survey have created an app so you can have unlimited OS Explorer and Landranger maps on any device making it easy for you to explore the great outdoors. (It even works when you are out of signal – perfect for our South West Coast path hikes!)
I’m an old fashioned girl and love the option to print out your own custom routes and maps to take with you so you are never stuck without a map. You can choose the scale, orientation and size that suits you. Always with a waterproof carrier, the Devon weather can be interchangeable! Find out what else I take with me on my hikes here.
The Route
The walk from South Milton Sands to Hope Cove, starts along the beautiful South Milton Beach or along the little main road if you prefer and is clearly signposted. Grid Reference: SX6769 4142
If you decide to start along the beach, be sure to take a look at the well known Thurlestone Rock. It’s a spectacular rock off the coast in the shape of an arch.
Follow the path, keeping the sea to your right. As the road comes to a bend veering left, follow the path to the right which takes you towards the sea and back to the coast path. You’ll be guided through a kissing gate and along a single file path past a house. (see below)
As the sea comes back into view, the path takes a gradually incline where the views become even more outstanding. this area is known as the Great Ledge. Looking back along the path, you’ll be able to see Burgh Island and the famous Burgh Island Hotel and on an extremely clear day, out to see you’ll be able to spotthe lighthouse right out to sea.
The South West Coast path is narrow at times so single file is required. As you head out of South Milton you’ll notice a slow gradual incline, maxing 52m. There are a couple of stunning benches along the way should you wish to stop, take a breather and admire the view.
As you continue towards Hope Cove, there is a little decline before your final little climb which brings to to your first sighting of beautiful Hope Cove. Here you’ll start the gradual decline down the coastal path towards Outer Hope. The last few metres of the path take you down some steps and onto the pavement leading to Hope Cove itself.
Hope Cove
Hope Cove is a beautiful seaside village, full of thatched cottages, two sheltered beaches and stunning views. It’s what springs to mind when we think of the old fashioned “chocolate box” . Here you’ll find rock pools, kayakers and stand up paddle boarders, together with a couple of places to quench your thirst and take care of your appetite, before either resting and taking in the view or heading back to South Milton Sands.
This walk from South Milton Sands to Hope Cove is forever a favourite of ours and I hope you can see why. Have you ever walked this part of the South West Coast Path? I hope I’ve inspired you visit this beautiful stretch of the Devon Coastline. I’d love to know in the comments.
Imagine relaxing here! Image credit: The Garden Company
A Little Mission – Refresh your Garden for spring so that you can enjoy your outdoor space as much as you would any room in your home.
Funny how we convince ourselves there isn’t much to do to get the garden ready for entertaining! I spent plenty of time in the garden last year, but revisiting it this week, my “to-do” list turned out longer than expected. Like in previous blogs in this mini series, I was seeing things with fresh eyes, and my creative brain started whirring.
Discovery consists not in seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes
Marcel Proust
I’m not an expert gardener by any stretch of the imagination, but I hope that by sharing what has worked for me from an organisational point of view, might help you too. I’m learning every day and enjoying that process. A good Mission never goes astray!
There’s something quite special about bringing flowers into the home straight from the garden.
Plan First, Enjoy Later
We have a little family joke that looking after the garden is like outdoor housework and in many ways it is!
Just like a spring refresh in your home, a plan is essential. Remember, you don’t need to do everything in one day. We often overwhelm ourselves by imagining jobs as big, time-consuming, or expensive, and then procrastinate.
With any project, home, garden, work or life; break it down into bite size chunks. Knowing the tasks ahead of you means you can plan a Power of an Hour or two to get started on your Spring Refresh – Garden Style!
Adding a seating area where you can enjoy a morning coffee or a glass of some chilled in the evening, need not break the bank.
First Things First!
Grab a notebook and take a wander around your garden, noting:
Paintwork: fences, garden furniture, sheds, gates
Repairs: loose paving, latches, or any small fixes
Pots and tubs: any cracks or surfaces needing a lick of paint before planting seedlings
Paving and walls: clean, repair, or paint as needed
Grass: that first cut makes an instant difference, as does redefining edges
Tools & equipment: give the lawnmower, strimmer, and garden tools some TLC
This list isn’t exhaustive — we’re talking a Spring Refresh, not a full redesign. But creating it helps you plan what needs doing and when to fit it into your diary.
Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’
Robin Williams
Mission Spring Clean!
I was introduced to a product a couple of years ago now which I love. Wet and Forget If you have delicate areas that can’t withstand a power washer, or don’t have one, this is perfect. Spray patios, driveways, walls — and forget it. Within days, areas start to brighten. Brush with a hard brush to loosen moss and weeds. Quick, simple, and cost-effective!
Before and After Shots Here:
Before: wall to the left vs the wall & the step 3 days laterWet and Forget, magical powers! This is the “before” and “after” just a couple of days.
Mission – Refresh Your Paintwork
“Paintwork, especially fences, decking, and garden furniture, will benefit from a little freshen-up. There are lots of paints and treatments available, many with preservative properties to help your furniture last longer.
.
Top tips from Cuprinol:
Preparation: Clean and dry surfaces. Strip loose or flaking paint. Test a small area first.
Colour: Final shade varies with surface and number of coats. Sand lightly if adhesion is poor. Pre-treat with wood preservative if needed.
Apply: Dry conditions, above 5°C, 2+ coats. Brush along the grain or use a sprayer following instructions.
Dry: Touch dry in 1 hour; allow a few days before heavy use.
Even a small space can have a big inpact. The planters are from The Basket Company
Spring Refresh your Entertaining Space.
No matter the size of your garden, carve out a little spot for a morning coffee or evening wine. Even a small seating area can feel magical. Connection, relaxation and the simple joy of being outside are priceless.
There’s something quite special about enjoying a cuppa and conversation outside.
Inspiration And Ideas
Google, Pinterest and Instagram are a great place to start when looking for inspiration but be warned – it’s so easy to get sidetracked! There’s a variety depending on budget or you may be inspired to make your own! I hope they inspire you.
Our garden furniture was a gift when we moved into our first home together. It really is hanging on by a thread or maybe the many layers of paint we’ve used to get “just another year” from it, for both sentimental reasons and also financial. Anyone slowly but surely renovating their home will know, there is a list of priorities!
Some of my favourite finds for seating, planters and decor:
Garden Trading CompanyCox and CoxPinterestPinterestNeptune Cox and Cox
The Little Touches!
Even simple touches like plants, lighting, and soft furnishings can turn your garden into a sanctuary. Adding warmth and personality is the fun part. Think fairy lights, cosy cushions, scented blooms, or a small water feature. These small details make your garden feel like a true extension of your home.
Even small, thoughtful actions in your garden can transform your space and lift your mood. Start with one task, enjoy the process, and let your outdoor sanctuary take shape naturally.
I’d love to know: what garden projects are on your spring mission list? Share in the comments, and check out The Dartmoor Village Garden board on Instagram for inspiration from my White Garden ideas.
Now it’s your turn! Pick one small area of your garden to refresh this week ~ a pot, a patch of lawn, or a corner seating spot. Take a photo before and after and share your Spring Refresh with me in the comments or on Instagram. I can’t wait to see your garden transformations!
I’m the creator of Woman on a Mission, a lifestyle space dedicated to helping women bring more calm, confidence and balance into everyday life. Born from my own journey to slow down and live with greater intention, it offers inspiration around wellbeing, organisation, home and mindset, one meaningful mission at a time
