Salcombe enjoys a thriving social calendar with exciting annual events drawing in the crowds from far and wide. A packed sailing schedule and proud maritime traditions are a constant source of celebration, while music, food and family entertainment remain the themes for so many of the town’s long and flamboyant weekends. Here’s just a taste of what you can expect…
Teams from all over the UK make the annual pilgrimage to Twomeads on Camperdown Road for the annual Easter 7s rugby tournament hosted by Salcombe RFC over the course of the Easter weekend. Expect a feast of rugby at this historic ground high up on the hill.
Celebrating the brown crab - a mainstay for the Salcombe crabbing fleet and considered a delicacy around the world - ‘Crabfest’ is a showcase for the region’s most talented growers and distinguished gastronomes. Raising vital funds for local charities, this popular gathering sees some of the UK’s top chefs rubbing shoulders with festivalgoers during a packed schedule of cooking demos and culinary masterclasses, all with a seafood theme. A must for foodies.
With their distinctive mainsails and classic clinker design, the sight of Merlin Rockets racing on the Salcombe Harbour is a real treat for dinghy sailing enthusiasts. This colourful seven-day event organised by the town’s yacht club marks the beginning of Salcombe’s action-packed summer sailing schedule.
The beautiful Salcombe Estuary provides the stunning backdrop for this historic week of south west sailing. Expect high drama and squeaky close racing among the various boating classes, including; Lasers, National Twelves, Salcombe Yawls, Solos and Fireflys. Young and old pit their wits against the tides, winds, currents and fellow competitors during this action-packed and hotly anticipated annual regatta.
Full of fun and engaging activities on both land and water, the annual Salcombe Town Regatta is a wonderful community event that continues to draw in the crowds. Enjoy traditional seaside competitions and a packed sailing and rowing programme, as this friendliest of coastal communities indulges in a week of epic proportions. The streets will be jostling with regatta-goers all gathered to enjoy live music, food stalls, fireworks and the many quirky contests and shindigs that have accumulated over the years.
Other popular annual events happening in South Devon…
Three days of delicious gastronomy and uplifting music on Kingsbridge’s pretty town square.
Dartington Hall is the venue for a ten-day celebration of words and ideas with engaging talks from some of the UK’s most distinguished writers and academics.
Steeped in history and tradition, Kingsbridge Fair Week is a relentless seven-days of sporting contests, lively family events and exciting funfair rides, all culminating in a carnival procession and fireworks display.
Once again, Britain’s ocean city will be hosting the British Fireworks Championships which are all set to light up the skies over Plymouth Sound and wow the gathering crowds. An unmissable spectacle!
An ever-popular annual regatta week in the attractive seafaring town of Dartmouth where you can enjoy a smorgasbord of events on land and sea.
Expect cooking masterclasses and celebrity chefs during this non-stop festival celebrating the very best of South Devon fayre.