Around the Town

There’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained in and around Salcombe; from its bustling streets lined with boutiques, galleries, delicatessens, cafés and bistros, to its historic slipways and wharfs where you’ll find some of the most characterful waterside pubs in South Devon. Explore the pretty arcades, medieval passageways, honeysuckle lanes and winding coastal paths, all on your doorstep when you book a Salcombe cottage holiday.

Shopping in Salcombe

Salcombe’s narrow flagstone Fore Street plays host to a parade of shops and emporiums, many selling brands, labels and novelties unique to the town.

If you’re a fashionista on the hunt for the latest beach or yacht wear, you’re sure to find this season’s look in one of the town’s stylish boutiques. Take advantage of Salcombe’s amply stocked delicatessens, full of delicious local fayre and the perfect addition to your summer holiday barbeques and evening soirees. For those of you with a sweet tooth, the jar-filled shelves of Cranch’s Sweet Shop - a traditional confectionary store and fudge parlour - are sure to grab your attention, while the award-winning flavours of Salcombe Dairy ice cream remains one of the town’s most popular taste sensations. If you’re searching for a holiday book to help while away the hours on the beach, Salter’s Bookshelf is an independent book shop crammed with the latest titles and books of local interest. Art lovers will adore the handful of art galleries found tucked away around the town showcasing a variety of mediums, many of which are inspired by Salcombe’s beguiling coastal vistas.

Things to do in Salcombe

There’s no end of things to do in Salcombe, whether you find yourselves immersed in maritime history, exploring the nearby coastal trails, or dangling a crab line off the harbour wall, you’ll never be far away from a seaside activity the whole family can enjoy.

Take your pick from a selection of exquisite beaches and enjoy some fun in the sun rounded off with a traditional seaside picnic. Salcombe’s sandy shores are perfect for beach games, from French cricket and boules to frisbee and kite flying. Experience the very best of the South Devon coast when you book a holiday cottage in Salcombe.

Other family activities in Salcombe might include making a splash in the town’s community swimming pool or having a knock up at Salcombe Tennis Club on Bonaventure Road.

If you’re in the mood for adventure, why not hop aboard one of Salcombe’s long-serving ferryboats and enjoy a scenic tour of the sparkling harbour waters. Maybe it’s time to put your best foot forward and explore the local coastal paths around Bolt Head and savour some spectacular ocean panoramas, or head further up the estuary to Snape’s Point to enjoy beautiful views of the estuary mouth - two of Salcombe’s most popular headland strolls and a great way to work up an appetite before a well-earned Devonshire cream tea…another Salcombe speciality! Babies and toddlers will love The Kids & Co Soft Play Café on Island Street and the Paper Bird Island arts and crafts space, the perfect answer to a drizzly afternoon. With its long list of revitalising treatments, Salcombe Harbour Hotel’s spa and gym could be the ideal escape for those in need of some pampering, relaxation and solace.

Popular Salcombe Attractions

Steeped in seafaring history and home to some of the region’s most talented artisans, Salcombe’s charming character continues to endear all those who visit its timeless, sunny shores.

Built in the 1540s by order of King Henry VIII to help defend the coastal waters from Spanish marauders, the ruins of Fort Charles (also known as Salcombe Castle) can be found set upon rocks on the edge of North Sands Beach. Follow the Cliff Road out of Salcombe to explore this historic site - the last royalist stronghold of the English Civil War - famously defended by royalist commander Sir Edmund Fortescue whose heroics allowed both him and his troops to surrender ‘unmolested’ and march from the fort ‘to pipe and drum’ - one of the most famous chapters of Salcombe’s long and illustrious history. To learn more about Salcombe’s riveting past head to Market Street and the Salcombe Maritime Museum where you’ll find historic artefacts, pictures, old photographs and an array of fascinating exhibits.

Hidden behind the wooded cliffs near Bolt Head, only a scenic ferryboat trip or hearty stroll from Salcombe’s bustling town centre, lies the stunning subtropical gardens of Overbeck’s. Walk the winding paths to discover rare and exotic plants at every twist and turn. Enjoy a Devonshire cream tea on the sun terrace and the far-reaching views of the roaming headland and sparkling bay. You can also tour the house of scientist and inventor Otto Overbeck which is full of curiosities including Otto’s ‘Rejuvenator’ (once believed to cure all maladies) and his giant music box. This really is a garden for all seasons with plenty of fun activities and adventure trails for children and families.

Tucked away in Salcombe’s historic artisan quarter lies one of the town’s most innovative ventures. Inspired by Salcombe’s rich maritime heritage and its unique coastal verve, the Salcombe Distilling Company is an award-winning waterside gin distillery that’s been making waves around the world. Gin enthusiasts and connoisseurs will relish the opportunity to enrol in The Gin School where you’ll get the chance to develop and distil your very own signature gin blend, presented in a 70cl bottle, while also gaining a unique insight into the meticulous distilling process. What better way to toast your latest Salcombe experience than with a highball cocktail glass laden with your handcrafted, bespoke gin mellowing on ice to the gentle fizz of tonic.