Church Ope Cove
Church Ope Cove
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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38 within 3 miles
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64 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
134 reviews
Excellent
88
Very good
38
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Tracey1169
Willenhall, UK587 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
It’s not a bad walk down, but you feel it more walking up. It’s well worth it for the crystal clear waters when you get to the beach. There are toilets on the beach which were clean and functional. The beach is pebbles so step carefully. It was very quiet when we visited only 4 other people there. Watch out for the lizards on the steps.
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura C
75 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
A fantastic little find. Our parents use to take us here as children. It’s secluded so it’s fairly quiet and is great for a lovely view and some sunshine. It’s a pebble beach. There are a lot of steep steps taking you down to the beach. There’s free parking opposite and on all the roads nearby.
Written May 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karri B
Edinburgh, UK78 contributions
Jul 2021
This quiet little cove was a 5 minute walk from our AirBnB. Lovely little place, but the stones really hurt your feet if you don't have some kind of shoes on. They are NOT pebbles, they are STONES and it is easy to lose your balance as you walk across them. If you can manage that, then it is well worth a visit!
Written July 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
harrison77
Bracknell, UK223 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Lovely little secluded bay. Parked in the small car park near the museum and walked down the alley past Rufus castle . Saw lizards on the way down. Came back up past the old church ruins. Lots of steps .. be warned .
Written July 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kellycrawford36
Yeovil, UK21 contributions
Jun 2020 • Friends
So pretty and peaceful. The water was crystal clear! Won’t find much prettier in my opinion! We loved it!
There are some toilets hid away by the huts too.
Lovely walk down to the cove too, even w pirate grave yard but maybe not advisable if you have any mobility problems as very step and lots of steps.
There are some toilets hid away by the huts too.
Lovely walk down to the cove too, even w pirate grave yard but maybe not advisable if you have any mobility problems as very step and lots of steps.
Written June 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J.J M
Coventry, UK6 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
Always a beautiful place to visit.
Been visiting for years. A great “hidden gem” toilet facilities on the beach and a place to get water.
Very beautiful. The walk back up the cove is steep but the route is properly paved with steps - there are a lot of steps but places to sit for a rest on the way.
There is free parking which is brilliant. Beautiful white pebbles and cliff views.
Been visiting for years. A great “hidden gem” toilet facilities on the beach and a place to get water.
Very beautiful. The walk back up the cove is steep but the route is properly paved with steps - there are a lot of steps but places to sit for a rest on the way.
There is free parking which is brilliant. Beautiful white pebbles and cliff views.
Written September 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley S
St Austell, UK15 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
One of Portland's few beaches along its rugged coastline is the lovely sheltered Church Ope Cove on the eastern side of the island. Close to Portland Museum, this wonderful, beautiful area is certainly a favourite location of mine on Portland. Aside from the pebbled beach itself, which makes a good recreational spot for swimming etc in the summer, there are other great features to be discovered. The cove area is connected to the clifftop walk around this part of the island, but can also be reached via Wakeham (a free car park is found nearby). The late 15th century Rufus Castle sits above the cove, and this romantic ruin holds great charm. The view-point next to to the castle has some incredible views of the cove below, and out into the English Channel. The ruins of the 13th century St Andrews Church also sits midway between the cove and the castle, and as Portland's first parish church, it holds an interesting history, even if little remains.
At this level is John Penn's Bath, a large oval shaped stone bath built for John Penn - the original owner of Pennsylvania Castle, which sits above and is a late 18th century Gothic Revival mansion. The bath can be reached from the church ruin area, and is another quirky, little-known spot. The impressive Pennsylvania Castle is a private residence now, after having been a hotel for a few decades. The only disadvantage in getting back up from the cove as there are many steps, however an easier path actually links from Wakeham's car park area and around the edge of the grounds of Pennsylvania Castle, through a small, lovely woodland - a rare feature on Portland.
The cove is a lovely spot on Portland, and one that offers something for everyone. With some breathtaking views, various places to explore and a relaxing atmosphere, a visit is much recommended.
At this level is John Penn's Bath, a large oval shaped stone bath built for John Penn - the original owner of Pennsylvania Castle, which sits above and is a late 18th century Gothic Revival mansion. The bath can be reached from the church ruin area, and is another quirky, little-known spot. The impressive Pennsylvania Castle is a private residence now, after having been a hotel for a few decades. The only disadvantage in getting back up from the cove as there are many steps, however an easier path actually links from Wakeham's car park area and around the edge of the grounds of Pennsylvania Castle, through a small, lovely woodland - a rare feature on Portland.
The cove is a lovely spot on Portland, and one that offers something for everyone. With some breathtaking views, various places to explore and a relaxing atmosphere, a visit is much recommended.
Written February 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
singhasam
Weymouth, UK3,712 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
PEOPLE who come to enjoy Church Ope Cove have earned their pleasures because the way down and back up is steep and with many a twist and turn.
Walkers can either go behind Portland Museum and down past Rufus Castle or walk down Pennsylvania Road and then down a marked public footpath past the ruins of St Andrew's Church and on down to the Cove that way.
But the rewards are there for all to see with a ruined castle, a ruined church and a pirate's grave just some of the sights within a few hundred yards of the Cove.
Descend in to the Cove itself and you will see numerous beach huts which have been adapted to suit each owner's taste.
The beach is rocky and is set in a sort of bowl with the land behind up to Rufus Castle and St Andrew's Church rising steeply.
On a hot sunny day such as the one I visited it is easy to see why people make the effort to come here for a dip. The trip down is worth it for the views alone.
Walkers can either go behind Portland Museum and down past Rufus Castle or walk down Pennsylvania Road and then down a marked public footpath past the ruins of St Andrew's Church and on down to the Cove that way.
But the rewards are there for all to see with a ruined castle, a ruined church and a pirate's grave just some of the sights within a few hundred yards of the Cove.
Descend in to the Cove itself and you will see numerous beach huts which have been adapted to suit each owner's taste.
The beach is rocky and is set in a sort of bowl with the land behind up to Rufus Castle and St Andrew's Church rising steeply.
On a hot sunny day such as the one I visited it is easy to see why people make the effort to come here for a dip. The trip down is worth it for the views alone.
Written May 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
youknowme54
Gloucester, UK41 contributions
May 2018 • Family
Not sure what the hype is here, down a path and lots of stairs, pass through an iteresting derelict church and grave yard, pass lots of random wooden sheds and arrive on the pebble beach, there is a toilet block and thats it, I guess I don't understand as the sheds seem to sell for about £25000 and £1100 annual rent, WHY?
Written May 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick W
Sevenoaks, UK2,106 contributions
Aug 2020
Church Ope cove is the only beach on the 'island' of Portland. It offers good swimming in a quiet cove and if you have children there are lots of rocks for them to climb over. Opposite to the lane that leads down to the cove, there is a free car park that is clearly signed, but rather small, It takes about ten minutes to get down to the beach which is full of boulders, eccentric beach huts with individual 'gardens', and free to use toilets. There are no other facilities. The beach is mainly rocky and shingle so best to take some swimming shoes! It was fairly rough when we visited, but getting into and out of the water was fine at a small sandy area. The beach offers good shelter from West and south west winds and has a 'wild feeling' to it. Choose your spot for sunbathing and a picnic - it's a nice spot!
Written August 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xavier Jimenez
Mersin, Türkiye120 contributions
Are there free parkings around the different beaches ? Thanks
cassiebear1
Southampton, UK49 contributions
Are disposable bbq's allowed on the beach p,ease?
garyharvey261
Shefford, UK151 contributions
We didn't seen any signs or posters saying they weren't allowed and as 98% of the cove is made up of rocks and large pebbles, there's not a lot to burn.
There's not a great selection of bins around, so you may need to take any rubbish back up the hill to one of the council bins.
Christopher H
Bristol, UK6 contributions
On the map it doesn't really show where this beach is, anyone offer me any help on how to get to the beach. Thanks
KT230
United Kingdom109 contributions
Hi, if you go to Portland Museum you can get to the beach via a pathway and theres a stairway down the cliffs leading to the cove .
Becky E
Kent, UK
Would dogs be ok to manage this, we are away on holiday here end of June, with the dog's, so planning dog friendly adventures right now... Thanks for your help :)
Vicki14444
Reading, UK45 contributions
Yes definitely!
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Claim your listingChurch Ope Cove - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Church Ope Cove
- Church Ope Cove is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- Hotels near Church Ope Cove:
- (0.11 mi) 2 bedroom accommodation in Portland, near Weymouth
- (1.59 mi) Turnstones Bed and Breakfast
- (0.39 mi) 21 Court Barton, Weston, Portland
- (0.08 mi) OLA COTTAGE, family friendly in Portland Bill
- (0.08 mi) Ola Cottage, in Portland Bill.
- Restaurants near Church Ope Cove:
- (0.04 mi) AJ's Pizza
- (0.11 mi) Salt
- (0.14 mi) Codfathers
- (0.63 mi) The Eight Kings
- (0.67 mi) White Stones
Church Ope Cove Information
Excellent Reviews | 88 |
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Very Good Reviews | 38 |
Church Ope Cove Photos | 113 |