Smugglers' Hole

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Devon

England

Smugglers' Hole

Buildings on Stanley Road, Babbacombe Flats and Stanley Court on the left, and Hadleigh Court, a residential care home for the elderly.
Buildings on Stanley Road, Babbacombe Credit: Derek Harper

Smugglers' Hole is a prominent coastal feature located in Devon, England. Situated on the southern coast, this captivating headland is positioned between two beautiful sandy beaches, offering stunning views of the English Channel. The site is known for its historical significance as a popular spot for smuggling activities during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The headland itself is characterized by rugged cliffs, which provide a natural shelter for the illicit activities that took place in the past. Smugglers' Hole gained its name due to the hidden caves and tunnels that were used by smugglers to store contraband goods, such as tobacco, alcohol, and luxury items. These hidden passageways allowed smugglers to transport their goods discreetly, avoiding detection from authorities.

Today, the area is a popular destination for tourists and history enthusiasts. The headland offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding coastline, with its sheer cliffs and dramatic rock formations. Visitors can explore the caves and tunnels that once served as secret hideouts for smugglers, providing a fascinating glimpse into the region's illicit past.

Additionally, Smugglers' Hole is an ideal location for nature lovers. The headland is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including various seabirds and plants that thrive in the coastal environment. The surrounding beaches also offer ample opportunities for beachcombing, sunbathing, and coastal walks.

In conclusion, Smugglers' Hole in Devon is a captivating coastal feature with a rich history. Its rugged cliffs, hidden caves, and stunning views make it a must-visit destination for both history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

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Smugglers' Hole Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.494431/-3.5134974 or Grid Reference SX9267. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Buildings on Stanley Road, Babbacombe Flats and Stanley Court on the left, and Hadleigh Court, a residential care home for the elderly.
Buildings on Stanley Road, Babbacombe
Flats and Stanley Court on the left, and Hadleigh Court, a residential care home for the elderly.
House, Babbacombe In late afternoon sunlight, at the corner of Guestland Road and Cary Park.
House, Babbacombe
In late afternoon sunlight, at the corner of Guestland Road and Cary Park.
Flats, Plainmoor On the right is the 11-flat Mulberry Court; on the left is Dunboyne Court, with 46 flats. In between are traffic lights at the crossroads of Warbro Road and Manor Road, and the junction of  Westhill Road and St Marychurch Road.
Flats, Plainmoor
On the right is the 11-flat Mulberry Court; on the left is Dunboyne Court, with 46 flats. In between are traffic lights at the crossroads of Warbro Road and Manor Road, and the junction of Westhill Road and St Marychurch Road.
Manor Road, Babbacombe An advance warning sign on the stretch north of Cary Park.
Manor Road, Babbacombe
An advance warning sign on the stretch north of Cary Park.
Fore Street, St Marychurch The A379, with an advance warning of high friction surfacing.
Fore Street, St Marychurch
The A379, with an advance warning of high friction surfacing.
Building site, St Marychurch Two and a half years after <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5988902">SX9265 : Building site, St Marychurch</a> was taken. Seems to have become a rubbish dump.
Building site, St Marychurch
Two and a half years after SX9265 : Building site, St Marychurch was taken. Seems to have become a rubbish dump.
Coast path at St Marychurch Carried by TQ footpath 42 towards the distinctive butterfly-roofed Coridon House (1963).
Coast path at St Marychurch
Carried by TQ footpath 42 towards the distinctive butterfly-roofed Coridon House (1963).
Coridon House Taken a little further along the coast path shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6930736">SX9266 : Coast path at St Marychurch</a>. Coridon House, with its butterfly roof, was designed by Mervyn Seal and built in 1963 <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://ukmoho.co.uk/html/building/7018.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://ukmoho.co.uk/html/building/7018.html">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 miniature version used to feature in the almost adjacent model village.
Coridon House
Taken a little further along the coast path shown in SX9266 : Coast path at St Marychurch. Coridon House, with its butterfly roof, was designed by Mervyn Seal and built in 1963 LinkExternal link . A miniature version used to feature in the almost adjacent model village.
Woodland near the coast path A path heads away to climb an increasingly steep wood.
Woodland near the coast path
A path heads away to climb an increasingly steep wood.
Path through woods, Oddicombe Deeper up into the steep woodland from <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6930795">SX9265 : Woodland near the coast path</a>.
Path through woods, Oddicombe
Deeper up into the steep woodland from SX9265 : Woodland near the coast path.
Woodland near St Marychurch Further up the woods from <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6930844">SX9265 : Path through woods, Oddicombe</a>.
Woodland near St Marychurch
Further up the woods from SX9265 : Path through woods, Oddicombe.
Woodland above Oddicombe Beach A steep path descends these woods below Cliffside Road.
Woodland above Oddicombe Beach
A steep path descends these woods below Cliffside Road.
Old wall above Oddicombe Beach On a ridge in the woods fragments of an old field boundary are discernible.
Old wall above Oddicombe Beach
On a ridge in the woods fragments of an old field boundary are discernible.
Bluebells above Oddicombe Beach Close to the wall shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6931389">SX9265 : Old wall above Oddicombe Beach</a>.
Bluebells above Oddicombe Beach
Close to the wall shown in SX9265 : Old wall above Oddicombe Beach.
Woodland by Cliffside Road Very steep woodland with the leaves of winter heliotrope and a glimpse of a house on Hampton Avenue.
Woodland by Cliffside Road
Very steep woodland with the leaves of winter heliotrope and a glimpse of a house on Hampton Avenue.
Path near St Marychurch A faint path on the steep wooded hillside above the coast path.
Path near St Marychurch
A faint path on the steep wooded hillside above the coast path.
Woodland near St Marychurch A wooded hillside below Hampton Avenue.
Woodland near St Marychurch
A wooded hillside below Hampton Avenue.
Wall by woodland, St Marychurch Looking right from <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6931464">SX9265 : Woodland near St Marychurch</a>.
Wall by woodland, St Marychurch
Show me another place!

Smugglers' Hole is located at Grid Ref: SX9267 (Lat: 50.494431, Lng: -3.5134974)

Unitary Authority: Torbay

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///fans.help.lies. Near Torquay, Devon

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.494431,-3.5134974
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4900225/-3.5142723
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4915366/-3.5139296
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4924371/-3.5135493
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4927744/-3.5138413
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4944635/-3.5134372
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4948836/-3.5134344
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4952824/-3.5135923
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4955208/-3.5139486
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4956277/-3.5141794
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4956311/-3.5144855
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4955649/-3.5150014
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4956167/-3.5151568
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4958254/-3.5153068
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4966519/-3.5141622
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4968261/-3.5133159
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4968379/-3.5132219
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4970423/-3.5131975
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4971236/-3.5133138
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4977907/-3.5140345
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4980129/-3.5139252
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4981895/-3.5136355
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.4986506/-3.5127522
Watcombe Head
Natural: headland
Source: NPE
Lat/Long: 50.4969795/-3.5133767
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 50.4983717/-3.5157266
Bench
Backrest: no
Survey Date: 2022-10-15
Lat/Long: 50.4907747/-3.5158614
Bench
Lat/Long: 50.4914026/-3.5166983
Bench
Lat/Long: 50.491619/-3.5166696
Valley of Rocks
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.4978813/-3.5168043
Ele: 128
Natural: peak
Source: OS1
Lat/Long: 50.4912518/-3.5179646
Bench
Backrest: no
Lat/Long: 50.4984262/-3.5158085
Bench
Backrest: no
Lat/Long: 50.4902517/-3.5154461
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 50.494819/-3.514707
Shag Cliff
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.4912544/-3.5140143
Smugglers' Hole
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.4943326/-3.5135409
Barrier: stile
Material: wood
Step Count: 2
Stile: stepover
Lat/Long: 50.4986757/-3.5138608
FIXME: incomplete
Lat/Long: 50.498684/-3.5139019
Giant Rock
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 50.4980804/-3.5174564
Easterfield
Desc Os: Easterfield
Ele: 129
Man Made: survey_point
Material: concrete
Ref: SX76/T114
Ref Os: SX76/T114
Source Posn: OS_OpenData_SurveyPoints
Survey Point Purpose: both
Survey Point Structure: pillar
Lat/Long: 50.491258/-3.517929
6th
Golf: pin
Lat/Long: 50.4926757/-3.519127
8th
Golf: pin
Lat/Long: 50.49213/-3.5193465
Bench
Backrest: no
Survey Date: 2022-10-15
Lat/Long: 50.4986609/-3.5138632
Bench
Backrest: no
Survey Date: 2022-10-15
Lat/Long: 50.4949571/-3.5153128
Bench
Backrest: no
Survey Date: 2022-10-15
Lat/Long: 50.4983851/-3.515692
Bench
Backrest: no
Survey Date: 2022-10-15
Lat/Long: 50.4950553/-3.5160456
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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