Discover Devon this Half Term with our guide to activities outside of Salcombe
October half term is a great time to stay in beautiful Salcombe, Devon. You have all the beauty of the South Hams, warmer sea temperatures than in the summer, and fewer cars on the roads.
Normally in the summer, we recommend completely forgetting about your car for the week and concentrating on all that Salcombe has to offer. However, the October half term is the perfect time to explore the surrounding areas with Salcombe as your base.
Half term in Devon is packed with activities so here are our top 5 things to do outside Salcombe with the kids this half-term. They are all beach focused but with a drink and food stop included! So don the wellies, get your raincoat on and get stuck in!
Bantham and The Gastrobus
The massive expanse of Bantham is a surprise after the small, sandy coves of Salcombe. Head there at low tide to appreciate how big it really can be! This is also one of the most popular and pumping surf spots in Devon. On windy days, you’ll also find some epic windsurfers and kite surfers doing their thing. You will need to pay for parking as it is a private estate, so give yourself some time to enjoy walking around the beach and the surrounding coastline. There are various paths on the headland behind the beach which are lovely to explore. Back at the car park you will find a) wifi and b) the Gastrobus serving drinks and delicious snacks including Bakehouse goodies and really good loaded burgers. Alternatively, you can head to The Sloop which is a nearby village pub.
South Milton and The Beachhouse
South Milton has become a really popular destination in the last few years. That is mainly because the Beachhouse has been serving up delicious treats, but also because this gem of an area is really rather special. Perfect for exploring wildlife, Twitchers can often be found looking out the back of the National Trust car park as there are some rare bird species that enjoy the freshwater lagoon.
For the less bird focused amongst us, there are often beautiful horses and highland cattle in the surrounding fields. We recommend parking up and walking through one of the gaps between the sand dunes, and walking all the way along the beach. At the other end, there are steps leading up to a path (and wooden walkway over reeds) that bring you along the back of the beach you’ve just walked. It nearly drops you off at The Beachhouse for a drink or something to eat.
Bigbury, Burgh Island and The Pilchard Inn
Driving out to Bigbury can take a little while, but boy it is worth it! Pick a time with the tide out, walk along the beach from Bigbury over to Burgh Island and stroll around the stunning island for spellbinding views. There is a fab Art Deco Hotel on the island to explore. At the bottom of the island, there is also a real old Devon pub called The Pilchard Inn. Don’t forget to watch the tide for your return journey by foot, or make sure the sea tractor is running.
Inner Hope and Inner Hope House
Drive towards Hope Cove and follow the signs to Inner Hope. Park up, walk down the slipway for the lifeboat and have a run around the beaches or explore the rock pools. There is a sea wall to walk along from the other side of the beach (and jump off into the sea for those feeling brave!). Follow up with drinks and lunch in the newly renovated Inner Hope House. (Get in touch if you’d like to stay!) They are both child and dog-friendly, plus they have a fresh daily children’s option on the menu.
Strete Gate and Brew with a View
Driving to Strete Gate takes you along the stunning Slapton line. There you will find the sea on one side of the road and a freshwater lake on the other. Right at the end of the road (before you turn up the hill) is a little car park. Follow signs to the small circular walk (perfect for toddlers) or enjoy a longer route along the coast.
Cross the road from the car park onto the beach to find a very sweet little cafe for drinks and snacks. Be warned – if you turn left onto the beach you might find nudists! To elongate your time along this part of the coast, stop at Torcross on the way home to see a Sherman Tank, learn about Operation Tiger and enjoy fish and chips from Torcross Boathouse
