Halloween in Salcombe: Spooky things to do this autumn
For lots of people Salcombe is the embodiment of summer holidays – beach days, buckets and spades, crab sandwiches, sandy toes and salt in your hair. However, those in the know know that autumn brings with it a special kind of magic, as the colours change, a unique drama sets in across the landscape, and the quieter months invite those visiting to feel more connected to the rhythms of nature.
The summer crowds have gone, the evenings are drawing in, and activities lean into dramatic walks along the coast path beneath darkening skies, exploring Salcombe’s maritime history, hunting for pumpkins, and retreating to cosy holiday homes for leisurely evenings cooking local fare and snuggling up by a roaring fire.
Whether you’re looking for Halloween activities for the family or simply an excuse for an autumn escape, here’s how to enjoy autumn in and around Salcombe.
Why visit Salcombe at Halloween?
In October, Salcombe has a different charm to it. It’s noticeably quieter and it’s an excellent time for walking, exploring the beaches and discovering local history. Few things beat a pasty after a hike along the South West Coast Path on a cold, sunny day. Equally, when the sun goes down, Salcombe’s pubs provide plenty of opportunities to warm up and settle in for the evening.
For families, October half term is an especially good time to visit, when you can combine Halloween-themed activities with some of the classic South Devon experiences that work just as well in autumn as they do in summer.
Ghosts, smugglers and shipwrecks
Salcombe is no stranger to mysterious stories, not least because its ancient heritage leaves plenty of opportunity for tall tales and strange happenings. The name appears to relate to medieval saltworking, although the moniker ‘Salcombe’ is first recorded in 1244.
One of the few Bronze Age ships in England was washed up on Salcombe’s rugged shores, containing treasures that are still being discovered today. It’s not the only ship wreck in the area either – if these waters could talk, they would tell the stories of lots of brave souls lost in their depths.
Travel across the centuries and you will discover more, from smugglers to Fort Charles at North Sands, which was a stubborn Royalist stronghold during the English Civil War and said to have held out as the very last Royalist-held castle on the English mainland.
Head along the coastline and you will find Burgh Island – a particularly atmospheric location favoured by crime author Agatha Christie. Alongside a 1930s hotel, it’s complete with the historic Pilchard Inn, associated with tales of the ghost of Tom Crocker, a local smuggler said to haunt the island.
Furthermore, a few miles from Salcombe is the infamous Berry Pomeroy Castle near Totnes, which lays claim to being one of the most haunted locations in the UK. A picturesque castle, it has been the subject of countless ghost sightings throughout the years and even if you don’t spot any spirits, it’s guaranteed to make for a truly eerie excursion.
Halloween activities in and around Salcombe
Halloween events change from year to year, so it’s always worth checking individual destinations before travelling. Some activities are announced specifically for October half-term, while others run throughout the autumn, and then there are the evergreen things that we fall in love with again and again each year.
Pumpkin picking at Terawhiti Farm
What could be more seasonal than pumpkin picking? Terawhiti Farm is a small, family run farm that grows mostly vegetables, including pumpkins which they nurture from seed. Located near South Milton, they offer the chance to pick your own in the lead up to Halloween, making for a wholesome and happy day out.
Chocolate workshops
Salcombe Dairy is a favourite feature of the local landscape, making (in our opinion) the best ice cream and chocolate money can buy. Their Salchemist Masterclasses are an opportunity to make your own chocolate creations as well as sample some of their 21 flavours of ice cream. They typically have a class over Halloween – talk about taking Trick or Treating to new heights.
National Trust activities
There are lots of National Trust properties in the South Hams and each year they choose how to celebrate the season. For example, that might mean craft workshops to make bubbling cauldron models at Overbeck’s, complete with dramatic views of the coast outside. You can combine it with a walk to Bolt Head as well!
Dartmouth Steam Railway
Not too far away, the Dartmouth Steam Railway is an enchanting way to explore the South Devon coastline at any time of year, and seeing the colours change along the River Dart in autumn is a treat. At Halloween, they have been known to host a themed train, but even without the spooks it’s a special way to spend time.
Halloween comes to the Babbacombe Model Village
A great way to spend time as a family is to head to Babbacombe Model Village in Torquay, and at Halloween they go all out with spooky illuminations, a miniature pumpkin trail, and eerie surprises to fright and delight.
Salcombe Live
Not a Halloween occasion, but something celebratory for the autumn, The Salcombe Live Festival is a family-friendly weekend of music and comedy at the start of October. It sees events take place across the town, offering an eclectic mix of live original music from South West artists.
Explore the landscape
For us, one of the best activities at this time of the year is to embrace the landscapes in all their wild glory. Whether you roam along the South West Coast Path or head towards Dartmoor to see if you can hear the howl of The Hound of the Baskervilles (set within the wild and misty moors), few things will make you feel more invigorated.
Plan your Halloween break in Salcombe
A quieter version of South Devon is an enchanting experience, and having your own Salcombe holiday cottage to settle into is a really special way of making the most of it.
Whether it’s bringing home that pumpkin to carve together as a family or settling in with a glass of wine and a spooky film after a day of fresh air, it’s all about rest that soothes the soul. Choose a cottage with a sea view and watch the weather roll in across the estuary, or look for a property with a hot tub for the ultimate autumn wind-down.
Halloween is a wonderful excuse to discover a different side of South Devon, but you don’t need a packed schedule to enjoy it. Come for the pumpkin picking, coastal walks and ghost stories, but stay for the quiet beaches, cosy evenings and spectacular scenery. If you’re lucky enough to wake up to a clear October morning, wrap up warm, head for the coast and enjoy Salcombe at its atmospheric best.
