Something Wild Festival — Hope Cove

The narrow, winding lanes leading down into Hope Cove offer your first glimpse of the South Devon coastline, where the lush green hills abruptly surrender to the sea. Arriving at this coastal village feels like stepping into a quieter, more rugged era of maritime history. As you descend toward the shoreline, the horizon is anchored by the jagged profiles of Bolt Head and Bolt Tail. These two headlands are more than just landmarks; they encompass a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest, a thriving ecosystem of rare plants and invertebrates that cling to the steep, weather-beaten cliffs overlooking your swim course.

Historically, these waters were defined by danger and opportunity. In 1588, the Spanish hospital ship *San Pedro el Mayor* was driven onto the rocks between the Inner and Outer Hope coves during a fierce storm. While the village later gained a reputation for the daring, often illicit, business of smuggling and salvaging shipwrecks, your navigation today is far more straightforward. The coastline still bears traces of more recent military history, including the remnants of the RAF Bolt Head airfield, where a grass runway remains in use near the cliff tops, visible as you look back toward the land while finding your rhythm in the water.

As you round the headland during your swim, you may catch sight of the exotic greenery of Overbeck’s subtropical garden at Sharpitor, a curious anomaly of palm trees and tropical flora perched on the cliffside—a legacy of an eccentric Edwardian owner who famously insisted his estate never be put to illicit use. The Something Wild Festival, held in early September, integrates these coastal elements into a full weekend of trail running, movement sessions, and camping. If you are looking to benchmark your endurance against other regional challenges, those who enjoy the specific navigation of South West coastal waters often participate in the Dart10k, which takes place earlier in the season. The sea swim event itself is a 2414m coastal navigation starting mid-morning, providing a brisk, immersive way to experience the same geography that defined the lives of local sailors and smugglers for centuries.