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 was only invented in the 19th century. Formerly it was called ‘Le Creux de Vis’ 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 a local sculptor transformed 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, lending a peculiarly supernatural atmosphere to the winding path down to the Devil’s Hole itself.