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China Rock

Island in Devon South Hams

England

China Rock

Hope Village Attractive coastal village in South Devon.
Hope Village Credit: Wayland Smith

China Rock is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of Devon, England. Situated in the English Channel, it is part of the South West Coast Path and lies within the district of Torridge. The island is known for its distinctive rock formation, which resembles the shape of a Chinese pagoda, hence the name "China Rock".

With an area of only 0.14 hectares, China Rock is a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts. Accessible by boat or during low tide, it offers stunning views of the surrounding coastline and the Atlantic Ocean. The island is primarily composed of rugged cliffs and rocky outcrops, making it a haven for seabirds such as guillemots, puffins, and gulls.

The unique geological features of China Rock attract geologists and rock enthusiasts who study the island's interesting formations. Its rock layers provide insight into the region's ancient history, dating back millions of years. Fossils, mainly ammonites, can also be found in the rocks, further adding to its appeal for fossil hunters.

China Rock, despite its small size, holds a significant place in the local folklore and history. It has been featured in numerous artworks and photographs, capturing its beauty and mystique. The island is a protected site, ensuring the preservation of its natural heritage and allowing visitors to experience the solitude and tranquility it offers.

In conclusion, China Rock is a captivating island off the coast of Devon, boasting a distinctive pagoda-like rock formation, breathtaking views, and rich geological history. It is a must-visit destination for those seeking a unique and memorable experience amidst the natural wonders of the English Channel.

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China Rock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.240443/-3.8689717 or Grid Reference SX6639. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Hope Village Attractive coastal village in South Devon.
Hope Village
Attractive coastal village in South Devon.
Hope Barton Hotel near the village of Hope.
Hope Barton
Hotel near the village of Hope.
Coast path near Gray Stone Following South Huish footpath 57 and taken close to the Gray Stone. There's a much broader alternative path being used by the lady in white.
Coast path near Gray Stone
Following South Huish footpath 57 and taken close to the Gray Stone. There's a much broader alternative path being used by the lady in white.
Hope Cove From South Huish footpath 13, with the cliffs running out towards Bolt Tail.
Hope Cove
From South Huish footpath 13, with the cliffs running out towards Bolt Tail.
Redrot Cove Steep cliffs drop into the twin arms of a cove southeast of Bolt Tail.
Redrot Cove
Steep cliffs drop into the twin arms of a cove southeast of Bolt Tail.
Redrot Cove The eastern arm of the cove also shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7204802">SX6639 : Redrot Cove</a>.
Redrot Cove
The eastern arm of the cove also shown in SX6639 : Redrot Cove.
Looking down Perrins Hill, Hope Cove
Looking down Perrins Hill, Hope Cove
Road at Hope Cove The beach is immediately on the right. Left of centre is the listed former lifeboat station <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1324899?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1324899?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> : "1875 ... Included as a virtually unaltered example."
Road at Hope Cove
The beach is immediately on the right. Left of centre is the listed former lifeboat station LinkExternal link : "1875 ... Included as a virtually unaltered example."
Gate on coast path The coast path, following South Huish footpath 18, approaches Inner Hope.
Gate on coast path
The coast path, following South Huish footpath 18, approaches Inner Hope.
Hope Cove Seen from further west than <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7660697">SX6740 : Hope Cove</a>, within the Iron Age fort <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1019323?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1019323?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> .
Hope Cove
Seen from further west than SX6740 : Hope Cove, within the Iron Age fort LinkExternal link .
Bolt Tail Camp "The only cliff castle known in South Devon" <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1019323?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1019323?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> . A path climbs from a combe into the main part of the fort.
Bolt Tail Camp
"The only cliff castle known in South Devon" LinkExternal link . A path climbs from a combe into the main part of the fort.
From Bolt Tail Camp With Hope Cove to the right, and Woolman Point separating two sandy beaches below the cliffs in the centre. Away to the left is Thurlestone.
From Bolt Tail Camp
With Hope Cove to the right, and Woolman Point separating two sandy beaches below the cliffs in the centre. Away to the left is Thurlestone.
Rocks, Bolt Tail Camp Outcrops at the top of the coastal slope above Bolt Tail. Across the bay are cliffs and beaches north of Hope Cove, while to the left are Thurlestone Sands and village. The Iron Age Fort on the headland is described at <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1019323?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1019323?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> .
Rocks, Bolt Tail Camp
Outcrops at the top of the coastal slope above Bolt Tail. Across the bay are cliffs and beaches north of Hope Cove, while to the left are Thurlestone Sands and village. The Iron Age Fort on the headland is described at LinkExternal link .
Inscribed slate, Bolt Tail A touching memorial on a little piece of slate on Bolt Tail.
Inscribed slate, Bolt Tail
A touching memorial on a little piece of slate on Bolt Tail.
Rocks above Bolt Tail An outcrop that forms part of the Iron Age fort <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1019323?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1019323?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> taking advantage of this headland site. It seems I was here almost exactly 12 years earlier.
Rocks above Bolt Tail
An outcrop that forms part of the Iron Age fort LinkExternal link taking advantage of this headland site. It seems I was here almost exactly 12 years earlier.
Towards Hope Cove From above Redrot Cove, with Hope Cove - the main housing is at Outer Hope.
Towards Hope Cove
From above Redrot Cove, with Hope Cove - the main housing is at Outer Hope.
Path above Redrot Cove South Huish footpath 21 descends sharply to meet the coast path crossing the next of the Bolt Tail headland. The coast path can be seen ascending to the left, using South Huish footpath 19.
Path above Redrot Cove
South Huish footpath 21 descends sharply to meet the coast path crossing the next of the Bolt Tail headland. The coast path can be seen ascending to the left, using South Huish footpath 19.
Redrot Cove A slightly different angle from the images at <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=196298982" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=196298982">Link</a> , taken from roughly the point where the coast path turns inland across the base of the Bolt Tail headland.
Redrot Cove
A slightly different angle from the images at Link , taken from roughly the point where the coast path turns inland across the base of the Bolt Tail headland.
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China Rock is located at Grid Ref: SX6639 (Lat: 50.240443, Lng: -3.8689717)

Administrative County: Devon

District: South Hams

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///adapt.flocking.cult. Near Salcombe, Devon

Nearby Locations

Wolf Rock Yeovil Rock Redrot Ledge Bolt Tail China Rock Partridge Cove

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.240443,-3.8689717
Bolt Tail
Place: locality
Source: NPE
Lat/Long: 50.2422337/-3.8701571
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: entrance
Lat/Long: 50.2413422/-3.8663047
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: entrance
Lat/Long: 50.2407161/-3.8669524
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: entrance
Lat/Long: 50.2418878/-3.8656109
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Redrot Ledge
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.2387279/-3.8686247
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bury Stone
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.24239/-3.8710995
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bench
Backrest: no
Lat/Long: 50.2422293/-3.86268
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Redrot Cove
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.2398861/-3.8679356
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Yeovil Rock
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.2433679/-3.8665331
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
China Rock
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.2404619/-3.8688849
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Partridge Cove
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.2391691/-3.8680863
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
HMS Ramillies
Historic: wreck
Wikidata: Q3004202
Wikipedia: en:HMS Royal Katherine (1664)
Lat/Long: 50.2372034/-3.8643898
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Ramillies Cove
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.2383246/-3.8666619
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: entrance
Lat/Long: 50.2421487/-3.8651521
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 50.2420297/-3.8699072
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Pilchard Cove (Quay Sands)
Place: locality
Source: The Story of Hope Cove & Surrounding Districts;Proposed breakwater plans c1823
Lat/Long: 50.2427294/-3.8641017
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Jack Crook's Hole
Access: no
Natural: cave_entrance
Source: Plan of proposed breakwater c1823;The Story of Hope Cove & Surrounding Districts
Lat/Long: 50.2428593/-3.864853
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Wise's Pit
Place: locality
Source: Hope Cove: The History of a Devonshire Fishing Village
Lat/Long: 50.2389942/-3.8652911
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Quay Valley
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.2418585/-3.8653333
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: entrance
Lat/Long: 50.2418878/-3.8656109
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: entrance
Lat/Long: 50.2418878/-3.8656109
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Bury Stone Devon
Redrot Ledge Devon

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