Your Salcombe, Devon Itinerary
10 things you can’t miss on your trip!
The spectacular images of sunny Salcombe lure you in from the start; the glittering turquoise estuary waters and bobbing fishing boats, set against a backdrop of luscious green hills and a pastel-fronted harbour. No wonder this corner of South Devon carries the accolade of being an Area of Outstanding Beauty. Yet Salcombe’s beauty extends not only to its marketing images; the reality truly does match the picture-perfect postcards. With an impressive microclimate, the balmy sunlight brings a beauty and heat to the fishing village that makes you feel like you’ve been dropped in the Mediterranean; a rare treat in little old England!
And once the gorgeous views, quaint shops and delicious eateries have been explored in Salcombe itself, the seaside town is ideally located within walking distance of other beautiful spots; from secluded coves to sandy beaches, there are so many adventures to be had in South Devon. Whether you’re passing through for the day or are treating yourself to a long weekend or week, here are the top 10 things I’d recommend when visiting Salcombe!
- Check in at the Salcombe Harbour Hotel
Whilst Salcombe and the surrounding area are home to many delightful cottages and holiday lets, I couldn’t write this without singing the praises of the gorgeous boutique spa hotel that we were fortunate enough to stay in. Situated perfectly overlooking the glittering estuary and in the centre of town, the Salcombe Harbour Hotel oozes luxury and relaxation from the moment you arrive. After a hearty greeting from a roaring fire and cozy sofas in the reception area, the rest of the hotel continues with a nautical theme; anything that pervades that seaside charm and calmness has my vote! For a real treat, book a room with an estuary view to spot the yachts passing by. Otherwise, all rooms are still worth it, and even have generous decanters of gin and sherry for that post-dinner tipple!
Whether you are staying at the hotel or not, make sure you book a table at The Jetty, situated inside the hotel. No trip to Salcombe is complete without sampling the seafood delights found on its very own doorstep; whether it’s mussels, cod or crab, all variations we ate here were delicious (as were the cocktails!). The panoramic view is also the perfect backdrop for the delicious breakfast included in the room rate. Eggs Benedict, a full english and avocado toast (alongside many pastries!) all fuelled many a walk and set you up nicely for the day ahead!
2. Catch the ferry over to East Portlemouth Beach
Just a stone’s throw from the Salcombe Harbour Hotel is a narrow lane that leads down to the waterfront and the ferry crossing (past The Ferry Inn and you’re on the right track!). Check the ferry crossing times in advance (and prepare for a very small boat rather than the ‘ferry’ you may be expecting!); in October, it was running half-hourly from 8:30am on weekdays, 9am on weekends and cost £2 an adult and £1.50 a child each way. Bargain! The views of the harbour from the estuary are worth the trip, whether or not you want to explore the other side!
Once you have arrived at East Portlemouth Beach, we followed the breathtaking trail to Gara Rock Beach using this guide. Pass along the sandy beaches of Sunny Cove and Gara Rock, dipping your toes in the tranquil waters or teetering across the rock pools as you go. The jagged coastline and views out to sea are quite spectacular; with high temperatures and beautiful sunlight even in late October, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re looking out on to the Mediterranean! Just keep an eye on the tide, and walk back to the ferry crossing using the road rather than the beach if needed.
3. Explore Salcombe’s town and sample the delights!
Like with any British seaside town, one of my very favourite holiday pastimes is to get lost in the independent shops on offer! Arrive hungry to the array of pastel-fronted stores of Fore Street; Salcombe Ice Cream, Cranch’s Sweet shop (the land of a good Pick ’n’ Mix!), The Bake House (incredible donuts!), Salcombe Dairy (milkshakes!), amongst pasties and other treats galore. Pop into the gifts and interior shops too for a treat… and the original Jack Wills store!
4. Visits North Sands Beach… and The Winking Prawn
Just a 20-minute stroll from Salcombe town lies the gorgeous sandy beach of North Sands, perfect for families, dogs, swimmers, and all other visitors! Look ahead to see what is on offer for your visit depending on the time of year too; rock pooling, kayaking and paddleboarding are all possible.
Sitting boldly opposite the beach lies The Winking Prawn — the welcoming beach cafe with an extensive menu of (you guessed it!) everything from a pint of prawns to crab, baguettes, and even a generous wine selection if you’re looking for something stronger. In true shabby chic (seaside!) style, there is even a pink striped ice cream truck outside; the perfect beach treat stop.
5. Drop into The National Trust’s Overbeck’s Garden
Understandably labelled, ‘a hidden paradise of subtropical gardens’, Overbeck’s truly is a delight. Greeted with large overhanging banana trees as you approach the drive, guests can explore the beautiful flowers and gardens through undulating paths revealing mazes and hidden corners. The large Edwardian house, once owned by Otto Overbeck (an inventor who created the ‘electrical rejuvenator’ in the 1920s), also offers a delicious cream tea; it wouldn’t be a National Trust visit without one!
And, of course, those views over the estuary… from all angles this part of the world is thoroughly mesmerising.
6. Walk the South West Coast Path to Sharp Tor & Bolt Head
Really, I should have put this number one on the list as it was definitely the highlight of our trip! The route can begin at Overbeck’s, North or South Sands beach, or even in Salcombe itself, depending on the length of the circular route you want to do. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even go further to Hope Cove and visit the delicious The Cove for a re-fuel! The route is explained in detail here.
Look out over turquoise waters, breathe in the fresh sea air along the coastal route, discover secluded coves and trail back through the woods. There really is no better way of seeing South Devon in all its glory!
7. Check out the Salcombe Gin Distillery (& the Bar and School)
Located on Island Street in the centre of town, the Salcombe Gin Distillery sits in an old boathouse and houses a shop, bar and even a school if you want to spend a little longer here. The award winning lessons teach you how to select your own botanicals, and distil your very own small bottle of gin. Drinking AND learning new skills!? Sorted!
8. Sample the delicious eateries on offer
With all this walking, quality pitstops are vital; and you won’t be disappointed with the restaurants on offer. If you can, book ahead of your trip as we discovered a few to have been booked up well in advance. The Crab Shed near The Fish Quay hand-picks the very best crabs and seafood, and is even more of a treat if you can get a seat on the decking overlooking the harbour. A hearty pub lunch can also be enjoyed in The Victoria Inn, The Fortescue Inn or The Ferry Inn (which also has the best views over the estuary!).
Or if, like us, you’ve picked to stay at The Salcombe Harbour Hotel and don’t want to take off your fresh comfy robes, grab a takeaway from Captain Flint’s pizza; with some wacky topping combinations, trust us and the reviews with how great these are!
9. Take a day trip to Kingsbridge, Totnes, Dittisham or Dartmoor
One of the best things about Salcombe, or anywhere in South Devon for that matter, is that you’re never a long car drive away from alternative scenery, attractions, and tasty food options.
Just down the road is Kingsbridge, also with beautiful views of the estuary it’s situated on, and a market town full of charming cobbled streets and shops to visit. Close by you will also find a mile-long shingled beach at Beesands, perfect for some sea breeze and a hearty lunch afterwards. A further twenty minutes drive and you’ll stumble upon Totnes, another historic market town on the River Dart — more independent retailers, pub grub, a regular market… and a castle and museum to change things up!
Nothing however beats a good stroll across the moors of Dartmoor. My very favourite village in the midst of the rocky tors is Widdecombe-in-the-Moor, a beautiful village with a very handy pub for a walking break. Venturing further towards the river Dart is Dittisham, with more pastel coloured riverside houses to catch your eye. The list really does go on — no wonder so many flock to Devon for their UK breaks!
10. Relax at the Spa in the Salcombe Harbour Hotel
After all that walking you deserve to put your feet up… and the spa at the Salcombe Harbour Hotel is the perfect place to do so. Relax and rejuvenate with a range of facilities including a jacuzzi, steam and sauna rooms, a pool and loungers… not to mention a great range of treatments to pick from. Check out their spa packages too (especially those that finish with lunch in The Jetty!).
So there you have it… the top 10 things to do to enjoy beautiful Salcombe. Please do let me what else you think should be added to this list!
Emma xx
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