It is very easy to love the sea in the summertime, but in the winter it takes on a whole new character that it’s impossible not to admire.

It is no secret that the Salcombe seascape is constantly inspiring; if it’s good enough for Tennyson (see his poem, Crossing the Bar) then it’s most definitely good enough for us.  Nonetheless, as beautiful as the warmer months of the year may be, it doesn’t detract from the heartbreaking beauty of seeing the sea in the winter.

Blow the emails away

There is something exhilarating about standing on a cliff edge on a stroll up to Gara Rock or Bolt Head with the wind powering through your hair, breathing in the salty air.  It is profoundly invigorating and hypnotic, it reaffirms your connection with nature and there is no better way to blow away the cobwebs and memories of inboxes, emails and to-do lists.

All of that said, part of its abundant beauty has to lie in the sheer force that the water can have, something that was perhaps at its clearest in the storms last winter, reiterating its status as something to be respected as well as admired and showcasing the sheer dominance of the environment.

Better than Strictly

For me, this is the attraction of Salcombe in the winter; the quiet feeling of peace that you can only find on a prolonged walk by the sea as it crashes against the rocks under a grey and threatening sky or as it laps the shore calmly in the weak, early-morning sunlight.

It beats any movie hands down and outshines any Strictly Come Dancing star, giving abundant reason to wrap up and head outside to greet it… even when it’s chilly out.

Where to watch the sea

So here’s our recommendation.  Having headed out for a bracing walk there should always be the reward of somewhere to warm up with tea and cake or lunch and of course that all-important sea view.  For an elegant setting where the dog can join you, the South Sands Hotel is ideal, especially if you have done a circular route up to Bolt Head.

For anyone with children or looking for a particularly devastating chocolate brownie, the Winking Prawn cannot be beaten, and if you are walking to Gara Rock, the ginger and pear cake really goes with the view in my opinion.  However, for those making their way back into the centre of Salcombe and wanting a view of the harbour, it’s got to be The Wardroom situated at the back of Crew Clothing… you will have to fight it out for a window seat though!

The Storm

A fabulous video capturing the raw power of nature during the winter storms in early 2014.

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