Blythe's Cove is about half a kilometre north of Hele on the north-east side of Hillsborough. It can be accessed from Hele Beach at low tide, although there used to be a path, now gone, down from Beacon Point. It is said to be named after a local Gentleman who enjoyed sun-bathing here in the early 19th century. This may refer to Richard Bligh who lived at Quayfield House in 1851 (now the Cliffe Hydro) and was a local benefactor. The Ilfracombe Gazette of 1895 refers to Bligh's Cove and the place name may have been wrongly spelt when it was put onto the 1889 Ordnance Survey map.

Joe Moon's is a gully about 100 metres long running from east to west about half a kilometre north of Hele on the north-east side of Hillsborough. The gully is parallel to the South-West Coastal Path and although very overgrown and difficult to access, the top can be reached from above Blythe's Cove and the bottom from the beach. The first detailed Ordnance Survey map of 1889 shows a path through Joe Moon's to Beacon Point.

Joe Moon's follows a thin seam of limestone which was quarried, probably in the 19th century, and burnt in kilns beside the beach. The top of the gully terminates in two unusual caves, where columns of unworked limestone have been left to hold up the roof. The caves are roughly lens shaped, with steeply sloping floors. Although not ancient, they are thought to resemble in shape the early medieval silver mines at Combe Martin. The caves are said to be named after a local character called Joe Moon (or Joan Moon) who ran the lime-burning at Hele. 

In the 1839 Ilfracombe Tithe, Richard Bligh held Larkstone Cottage Summer house & garden from Catherine Copner (Ilfracombe Museum); In 1850 Bligh, R Esq, lived at Castle House (Genuki 1850 White's Devonshire Directory): In the 1851 Census Richard Bligh lived at Keyfield House and was a "landed proprietor of houses etc" (Ilfracombe Museum).

Blythe's Cove is so-called on the first detailed OS map of 1889 and from Beacon Point (now closed to public access) the map shows two northern paths, one down to the beach at Blythe's, now gone, and the other, after a scramble, to the north-west of Blythe's which provides access to Fishing Rock.

"Bathing for gentlemen may also be had at Hele Beach and in a quiet cove named Bligh's Cove, at the eastern side of Hillsborough Hill, but there are no attendants or any conveniences at these latter, and is not perhaps desirable that strangers to the locality, unless expert swimmers, should use them. The usual regulations with regard to bathing at open beaches is in force at Ilfracombe" (The Ilfracombe Gazette & Observer June 1st 1895, from typed copy in Hillsborough folder, Ilfracombe Museum)

"Blythe's Cove took its name from a Capt. Blythe who lived in Ilfracombe and who used to bathe at that part of the coast at all seasons of the year. He was a prominent local gentleman, and it is fitting that this cove, bearing his name should perpetuate his memory." (Ilfracombe Chronicle Sept. 1st 1933 p 6)

"Quayfield House was situated on Hillsborough Road next to Castle House. In the 1851 census it was the home of Richard Bligh and his wife Anne who gave the land for St Philip and St James’ Church" (Pullen & Harding 2003 p 116) Caption to photo of Quayfield House before it became the Cliffe Hydro.

"Richard Bligh, described as a landed proprietor of houses, and his wife Ann, provided Score church and burial ground in 1855" (Pullen & Harding 2003 p 79)

The only Joe or Joseph Moon I have come across is the 1851 Census: Joseph Moon farm servant, aged 14, at Shelfin Barton

The 1889 OS map shows a path through Joe Moon's (which it does not name) to Beacon Point. This path is still accessible but is difficult.

"There is one big cave under Hillsborough, on the Hele side, which was dug out for lime stone by old Hele worthies, and is known as Joe Moon's Cave. Joe Moon was a well-known local character." (Ilfracombe Chronicle Sept. 1st 1933 p 6)

Joe Moon should actually be Joan Moon, who is said to have run the early lime-burning at Hele. There were 2 Jane Moons in the C18th, from burial records one died 17th August 1758, the other 29th October 1760. It is unknown where they lived but it may have been Winsham. (Jane Hardwick, personal communication 29/1/04)