Undoubtedly one of the UK’s favourite seaside towns, Salcombe is a permanent fixture on top 10 lists across a range of major travel publications. However, look past the rows of pastel-coloured houses and nautical-themed trinket shops and you’ll find that there’s more to Salcombe than initially meets the eye. Here, we delve further into the reasons why Salcombe is the best place to go on holiday in the UK.
1. THE LOCALS
Salcombe locals are a friendly bunch. Local sailing legend Fred ‘Scratch’ Hitchen has had over 45 years experience on the water and can teach you everything you need to know about sailing the Salcombe Yawl.
If you’re a sailor, drop into the Salcombe Yacht Club – this prestigious organisation welcomes visiting yachtsman to its clubhouse, where you’ll be offered a hot shower and a cold drink at the bar! Look out for the large mounted walrus above the door to the bar…
2. THE LOCATION
Located on the Southern Coast of Devon between Torquay and Plymouth, Salcombe lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A 40-minute drive can take you to the edges of Dartmoor National Park or to the quirky market town of Totnes – both fun day trips!
Realistically though, you’ll probably have little interest in leaving Salcombe once you’ve arrived. Sandy beaches, great pubs and even its own Mediterranean microclimate make Salcombe the best place to go on holiday in the UK!
3. THE HOLIDAY HOMES (WE COULDN’T RESIST)
One of the benefits of being a tourist town is that accommodation has to keep up with demand. This means that Salcombe is home to some of the most beautiful holiday homes in the UK.
From the glorious tree-top balcony at our Landmark property to the stunning estuary views at Woodspring, our holiday properties offer the perfect home away from home. Couples or groups can choose to stay close to the buzz of town while families may benefit from a more secluded countryside location – at Salcombe Finest we can make a recommendation based on what you want from your holiday.
4. THE LOCAL PRODUCE
For such a small coastal town, Salcombe definitely has more than its fair share of local delicacies. Kids will love the rainbow of ice cream flavours at Salcombe Dairy while grown-ups will be equally enthusiastic about the local artisan gin available at the Salcombe Gin Distillery. Then there’s the seafood. Piles of picked crab with mayonnaise and chips. Roasted scallops served in the shell. Pints of salt and pepper prawns. Salcombe is a foodies paradise.
5. THE BEACHES
Aside from sailing, Salcombe is most famous for its amazing beaches – and there really is a beach to suit everyone. North Sands is in walking distance from the town centre, which is especially useful if you’re staying locally. This dog-friendly beach is a firm favourite with families – just make sure you go when the tide’s out as the sand virtually disappears at high tide!
Sports enthusiasts will love South Sands, home to Sea Kayak Salcombe. Here, you can rent sea kayaks or paddleboards, while beginners can enrol in one of the coaching sessions they offer. If you forget your picnic, you can always head to Bo’s Beach Cafe for hot chocolate.
If you don’t mind travelling a little further afield, head to Gara Rock beach. This secluded cove is across the estuary – you can either drive from Salcombe or get the passenger ferry across the estuary and walk for 30 minutes along the beautiful coastline from there. The terrain down to the beach can be uneven in places, but this ‘secret’ beach is definitely worth the effort!
What makes Salcombe truly special is its versatility. Whether you’re a young family coming on your first holiday together, a group of friends after adventure or a couple looking for a romantic break, Salcombe offers something for everyone. Go into any restaurant in Salcombe and you’ll see tourists of all ages rubbing shoulders with the fun and friendly locals. In fact, to be quite honest, the chances are you won’t want to leave.