Salcombe
Salcombe is a beautiful coastal town sitting on the banks of the Salcombe Estuary. It regularly tops polls as being one of the prettiest towns in the country.
Top beaches in and around Salcombe:
- Sunny Cove
- Mill Bay
- Cable Cove
- Small’s Cove
- Fisherman’s Cove
- South Sands
- North Sands
- East Portlemouth
- Hope Cove
Salcombe highlights
Things to do in Salcombe
There are beautiful golden sands and several beaches to choose from. South and North Sands are ideal family beaches and just across the estuary, you will find East Portlemouth, which can be accessed via a ferry. To the west of the town, you’ll find Bigbury on Sea and Burgh Island, which is accessed at high tide by a historic sea tractor and is the home of one of the oldest pubs in the country.
Salcombe is full of pretty, boutique shops, as well as a host of eateries, where you can enjoy locally sourced seafood and of course, Salcombe Gin and Salcombe Dairy.
Much of the town’s activity takes place around the Estuary and the beaches, with kayaking, surfing and paddleboarding being popular sports.
Sailing in Salcombe
Salcombe Harbour is home to a small but active fleet of ships that are primarily fishing vessels, as well as a range of residential yachts and visiting yachts. It is known for being a hub of sailing activities with two regular Regattas taking place throughout the year, the Salcombe Sailing Regatta and the Salcombe Town Regatta.
Coastal Walks in Salcombe
Salcombe is a stop along the South West Coast Path – giving you access to some of the most picturesque walking routes in the South West.
Salcombe History
Salcombe has been a popular holiday destination since the mid-1940s, but records of the town date back to the 1200s. There have been several shipwrecks of note around Salcombe, including a Bronze Age ship, which is one of the oldest shipwrecks recorded in England.
The town is also home to the ruins of Fort Charles, which was built under orders from Henry VIII and served as a Royalist stronghold during the English Civil War.
Much of Salcombe’s history centres around the maritime activity in and around the harbour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Salcombe have a sandy beach?
There are several beaches around Salcombe, including Salcombe North Sands, South Sands, Sunny Cove, Mill Bay, East Portlemouth, Salcombe Outer beach, Small's Cove, Moor Sand Cliffs and Gara Rock Beach, all of which are sandy.
Learn more about Salcombe here
Can you swim at the beach in Salcombe?
Yes, swimming is a popular activity in Salcombe, especially at North Sands beach, which is home to several Wild Swimming groups. There are life guards at many of the local beaches during the summer months, and red and yellow flags on display, to help you stay within safe zones.
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What is the closest airport to Salcombe?
The nearest airport to Salcombe is Exeter International Airport, which is around 37 miles away. The airport caters for both domestic and international journeys and has excellent transport links to help you on your onward journey.
Exeter International Airport
What is the nearest train station to Salcombe?
There isn't a train station in Salcombe, the nearest station is in Totnes, where you can catch a bus or a taxi to connect you to Salcombe. A taxi rank is available adjacent to platform 1. You can find information about onward bus services and other transport links via the website below.
Find out more about travelling to Salcombe via train
Does Salcombe have a ferry?
Yes, there are several ferry services that run from Salcombe, including The Salcombe Ferry which provides a daily service every half an hour until 5pm; The South Sands Ferry which runs between Whitestrand, in the centre of Salcombe, and the picturesque beach of South Sands; and the Kingsbridge to Salcombe Ferry which offers panoramic views of the harbour.
Find out more about ferries in Salcombe
Are dogs allowed on Salcombe beach?
There are a number of dog friendly beaches in Devon, many beaches allow dogs all year round, many have dog restricted sections and a few where a dog ban is in operation. Some of the beaches around Salcombe are open to dogs, North Sands Beach is welome to dogs all year round.
Please check local signage for the most up to date information on Devon’s beaches as this information could change at any time and a number of beaches make changes during peak seasons.
Find out about dog friendly beaches here