South Devon also known as South Hams is dotted with rolling hills and small towns, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Dartmouth.

Hope Cove was a particular favorite. Historically, Hope Cove fell into two parts — Outer Hope and Inner Hope. In 1588, the Spanish Armada passed through as they sailed up the English Channel. After the Armada was defeated and headed back through storms, the San Pedro el Mayor, a transport ship fitted out as a hospital, was blown onto the rocks between Inner and Outer Hope.  140 survivors were initially sentenced to death, however they were eventually ransomed and sent back to Spain.

I was surprised just how many shipwrecks were in the area. In 1836, South Devon’s Start Point Lighthouse was built to alert ships to the danger of Start Point and its surrounding rocks. However this didn’t stop all loses including lives.

Check out my photostream on Flickr to see more South Hams shots.