Devil's Hole

Following a shipwreck in 1851, when's a ship's figurehead washed up in the Devil's Hole, a statue of a devil adapted from the figurehead was set up above the Hole. The wooden statue was replaced by a succession of modern versions in the 20th century.

The Devil’s Hole is a natural crater in the solid cliff measuring about 100ft across and plunging 200ft down. It has been caused by the sea gradually eroding the roof of what was once a cave, until it collapsed and formed a crater.

The name ‘Devil’s Hole’ is a dramatic one but only invented in the nineteenth century. Formerly it was called ‘Le Creux de Vis’, ‘Le Creux de la Touraille’ or Spiral Cave. One possible derivation for its modern name is connected with the shipwreck of a French boat in 1851. Its figurehead was thrust by the tide straight into the hole and someone had the idea of getting a local sculptor to transform the torso into a wooden devil, complete with horns. Today this devil’s metal replica stands in a pool on the way down to the crater, to lend atmosphere to the winding – and in one place quite steep – path down to the Devil’s Hole itself. The hole can be peered down into from two safe vantage points.

Access to the Devil’s Hole is through the grounds of the Priory Inn, which are open all year round. The Priory can be reached via La Grande Rue or Le Chemin des Hougues for those who are not walking to Devil’s Hole along the cliff path.