Plan your stay

Enjoy a holiday in Salcombe & South Devon 

A dream getaway for anyone who prefers to visit a place that offers a wonderfully diverse variety of things to do, Salcombe truly has it all. From breathtaking blue seas to pristine sandy beaches, unmatched natural beauty, wonderful nature walks, surfing and great food, spending a week in Salcombe is sure to please.

Hire a Boat and Explore the Estuary

One of the best ways to experience the incredible Salcombe/Kingsbridge estuary is to hire a boat. Just imagine how amazing it would be to explore the breathtaking estuary and its creeks, catching sight of the seals and birds that call it home, via a 12 or 16 foot fibreglass boat. A great boat hire company to consider is White Strand Boat Hire.

Spruce up and have cocktails in Salcombe Harbour Hotel

This spectacular hotel overlooks the estuary and its famous eatery, the Jetty restaurant flows out to several outdoor terraces. There are a number of incredible dining options, an impressive cocktail list and DJ based musical entertainment. Stop by the Salcombe Harbour hotel after dark and spend the evening dancing under the star filled sky.

South Devon Surfing

Surfing in the Salcombe area is sure to create incredible memories, thanks to the magnificent location, including internationally acclaimed surfing beaches. There really isn’t a better place to learn how to surf either. A great surfing school is The Discovery Surf School.

South Devon Sailing Lessons

Salcombe is actually one of the best locations in the world to learn how to sail, due in part to the fact that the estuary presents a variety of sailing conditions. Whether you would like to brush up on your sailing skills or are trying your hand at sailing for the first time, you’ll find a few local services that provide lessons, year round, including Salcombe Dingy Sailing.

Rock pooling in Salcombe

Plan on exploring the South West Coast path and look for the hidden coves that reveal themselves at low tide. Be sure to bring along a spade and bucket to use on North Sands beach where you’ll find lots of rock pools.

Enjoy South Devon’s beautiful beaches

Salcombe is known for its sunny weather, the sunniest in the UK and has the most visually stunning coastline in England. Some of the beach areas you should definitely check out are North Sands (nice sandy beach with picnic tables and Winking Prawn restaurant and cafe) and South Sands (sandy beach).

If you’re looking for more privacy, visit Sunny Cove, which requires a passenger ferry ride and a walk. Other beach areas that require that you take a passenger ferry include Mill Bay, Smalls and Fisherman’s cove, all beautiful beach areas with stunning scenery, well worth a visit.

Enjoy a day trip to Salcombe

Thanks to its beautiful harbor, stunning sea views and coastal walks to blow away the cobwebs, visiting Salcombe at any time during the year is a joy.

While June through to August are traditionally the most popular times to visit, it’s also the busiest. September is actually ideal where the September holidays aren’t quite as crowded, making it easier to take advantage of a wide variety of diverse activities. If you and your family favour sunny, peaceful day trips, visit Salcombe.

The following are just a few activities that we’re certain everyone will enjoy.

Wander Along the Fore Street and Island Street

If the town itself doesn’t do it, you’ll soon fall in love with all the independent and artisan shops along the High Street, Island Street and Fore Street. Selling jewellery, beautiful boots, great toys for the kids and the obligatory crabbing bucket, bait and lines!

Salcombe was actually the birthplace of Crew Clothing, Jack Wills and Quba clothing so we know how to do fashion and shopping! Island Street is considered Salcombe’s artisan side, brimming with boat builder yards, brilliant art galleries and plenty of places to buy live lobster and crab – YUM!

Eat a Salcombe Dairy Ice Cream

Stop by the Salcombe Diary and treat yourselves and the little ones to their award winning ice creams, frozen yoghurts and sorbets. One of the all-time favourite ice cream flavours is the Diary’s salted honeycomb ice cream (the Sal’combe) but they’re all delicious. Other popular ice cream choices include Chocolate, Chocolate Flake, Rich Belgian Chocolate, Summer Fruit, Rum and Raisin and there are many more incredible options.

Take a Ferry Ride

Hop on a ferry and visit some of the areas best beaches and seal hang outs, paddle in the sea, followed by mooring up for a snack or a cool drink or two. the Ferry to East Portlemouth is a must or you could hop on the South Sands Ferry to South Sands beach before a stroll along the lovely South West Coast Path and enjoy the unmatched views of the estuary and East Portlemouth.

Crabbing along Victoria Quay

Bring along a bucket, bait and a line and enjoy some of Europe’s best crabbing along Victoria Quay, a great way to spend the day. Didn’t catch enough? Not to worry. You’ll find plenty of fresh crab and other seafood choices in any of the many wonderful eateries in town.

Stop by the Salcombe Lifeboat Station & Salcombe Maritime Museum

Take a guided tour of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s lifeboat station in Salcombe town centre, whose devoted crew has been saving lives for 145 years. Besides taking a tour of the lifeboats and meeting the crew, there’s also a museum and souvenir shop on-site.

The Salcombe Maritime Museum is also a perfect place to visit for all ages. Fascinating seafarer stories, great dressing up adventures for children and beautiful finds make it a must-visit!

National Trust Overbecks

Take the South Sands ferry to the National Trust’s Overbecks for a truly unique day trip experience. This beautiful oasis is the seaside home of Otto Overbeck, a scientist and inventor. The inventor’s home and gardens are perched high atop the cliffs that tower above Salcombe, providing stunning views over the coast and estuary. Strolling through Overbeckís gardens is much like taking a magical trip around the world thanks to its diverse plant life that includes olive trees, palm trees, citrus trees and banana plants. You’ll also want to make time to tour the museum (once Overbeck’s home), enjoy high tea on the terrace or dine on freshly made crab sandwiches. Don’t forget to visit the shop, perhaps to purchase a plant and a few sweets for the ride home.

Afterwards, why not stroll down to South Sands beach or take a relaxed but stunning walk along to Bolt Head for Atlantic ocean views to die for!

Whatever you fancy, give us a call and we’ll help you make the most of your day trip to Salcombe and the South Hams.

An afternoon in Salcombe

Here’s what we’d do to make the most of an afternoon in Salcombe.

First, park up at Shadycombe car park and head straight to Salcombe Dairy for some of the finest Devon ice cream you will ever taste. Yes we’re biased but it truly is!

Then turn right towards town past our fab traditional boat builders on the left or pop your head into Gallery 5 Salcombe for some lovely local art and goodies.

Soon Salcombe Harbour will come into view, with boats bobbing and green rolling hills framing a tremendous sight. You might also spot the Salcombe Life Boat moored up.

You can then turn your attention to meandering through town for some fab shopping. Independent galleries, jewellery shops, shoe shops, the RNLI visitor centre & gift shop, Crew Clothing, Jack Wills and many more shopping outlets await.

Don’t forget to pick up something to munch on at the Salcombe Coffee Company before heading to towards North Sands beach. The Winking Prawn is another great place for a coffee and a bite to eat if you’re still hungry!

Next, head over to Overbecks National Trust for a fantastic experience before giving your legs a rest…instead of walking back to town jump on the South Sands Ferry that will bring you right back to Town.

It’s a taxi ride you will never forget and the perfect way to end your afternoon!

An hour in Salcombe

There’s always the option, ladies, to drop your man off at The Fortescue, Kings Arms or Ferry Inn, while you shop till you drop.Not a bad compromise…

Alternatively, if landscapes and outdoors are more your thing, park up at Shadycombe car park and grab a Salcombe Dairy ice cream to enjoy as you wander into town.

The RNLI visitor centre is a great stopover before heading to Whitestrand to take in the estuary views and the general hub bub of our beautiful South Devon coastal town.

It’s worth wandering up to the top of town for sweeping 180 views of the Salcombe estuary too.

If you’re quick, why not jump on the ferry across to East Portlemouth to see Salcombe from a very different perspective!

Head back over and you’ll find plenty of things to see and do plus eat before your hour is up.

Feel free to pop into our office too if you’re wanting some specific info, or we’d heartily recommend visiting the Salcombe Maritime Museum below us!

Enjoy yourselves…whatever you choose to do!