Things to do in Salcombe, Devon

Last updated on August 29, 2025

We’ve been going to Salcombe several times a year since we first got together many moons ago, even living there for a few months at one point. Steve’s parents have a holiday home in the area, so we try to spend as much time there as possible, escaping down to the coast.

As a regular visitor, this is my guide to all the best things to do in Salcombe, including all the best beaches, walks, restaurants, cafes, shops and places to stay in Salcombe.

I update it yearly with all the latest and best of what to do in Salcombe, Devon.

Things to do in Salcombe, Devon

What’s Salcombe like?

At the tip of South Devon on the south-west coast, Salcombe is a little harbourside village made up of cute and colourful streets backed by sweeping views of the glittering Kingsbridge estuary and its charming sandy coves.

The charming streets are filled with boutiques, galleries, cafes and pubs, and as you walk along the coast, you can easily mistake it for the Mediterranean. It’s one of Devon’s most pretty destinations, and, come summertime, it fills with deck-shoe wearing tourists. I would go as far as saying it might be one of the most idyllic holiday spots in Britain. Plus it’s close to lots of other Devon attractions, including surf beaches and the cool market town of Totnes.

When to go to Salcombe?

Spring and Summer are when the tourists flood in and the town buzzes with activity – but I’m a fan of Salcombe all year round. We lived there during the winter and while some places close off-season, the area doesn’t stop being beautiful, and enough pubs, cafes and shops stay open for it not to feel like a ghost town.

I also love the winter for rugged coastal walks and getting cosy in front of the fire. So, in short, I don’t think there’s a bad time to go – it just depends on what you’re looking for – the vibes and vibrancy of summer or a more laidback (and cheaper) winter retreat. Spring is a good in-between, although the Bank Holidays and Easter are often just as busy as summer.

Bridges and Balloons favourites

Where to stay in Salcombe

Here are a few of our top picks for places to stay in Salcombe, and we also have a guide to the best Salcombe holiday homes.

Gara Rock Hotel & Spa

Gara Rock is a sumptuous, luxury clifftop hotel with impeccable style and stunning views. It’s just across the estuary from Salcombe in East Portlemouth. It’s easy to get the ferry across from Salcombe to East Portelmouth, but the drive takes around 30 mins because you have to go round the headland.

Check availability and prices now.

Salcombe Harbour Hotel

This four-star waterfront hotel, Salcombe Harbour Hotel, is in the heart of town and has gorgeous estuary views. It’s part of the Harbour Hotels’ group, which can be relied upon for comfortable luxury.

Check availability and prices now.

The Bowline

This stylish three-bedroom apartment, The Bowline, has a gorgeous swimming pool that brings to mind Italy rather than Devon. The pool is shared with three other homes.

Check availability and prices now.

Brightham House Boutique B&B

Located in Malborough, just two miles from Salcombe, the bright and fun Brightham House B&B offers a more budget option than the Harbour House and Gara Rock.

Check availability and prices now.

We also have a guide to the best Devon Airbnbs, including options in Salcombe.

Things to do in Salcombe

Spend the day at the beach

The number one thing to do in Salcombe is spend some time at the beach. The area is famous for its golden beaches, each with its own character and charm. From sheltered coves that are perfect for families to wide stretches of sand ideal for surfing, there’s something for everyone. Many of the beaches are only a short ferry ride or coastal walk from town, making them easy to explore during your stay, even without a car. Here are some of our favourites.

• North Sands – A family-friendly beach close to town with soft sand, shallow waters, and the famous Winking Prawn café just steps away.
• South Sands – Another easy-to-reach option, with calm waters for swimming and paddleboarding, plus a seasonal passenger ferry straight into Salcombe.
• East Portlemouth – Just across the estuary from Salcombe and accessible by ferry, these sandy stretches are perfect for paddling and picnics, and with rockpools to explore at low tide.
• Bantham – A surfing hotspot with views of Burgh Island, lifeguard cover in summer, and a collection of food trucks.
• Bigbury-on-Sea – Known for its causeway walk to Burgh Island, this wide beach is brilliant for families and has great facilities. The surf is gentler than in Bantham.
• Hope Cove – A picturesque village with two sandy beaches, sheltered swimming, and a classic Devon seaside vibe.
• Thurlestone Sands – Backed by dunes and known for its natural stone arch, this is a beautiful choice for a quieter day by the sea.
• Soar Mill Cove – A more secluded beach reached by footpath, rewarding the effort with unspoilt sand, dramatic scenery, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Wander Fore Street and Island Street

Fore Street, a charming narrow street parallel to the water, is Salcombe’s main road of shops, restaurants and pubs. It joins to Island Street, which holds another good collection of businesses, many housed in converted boat sheds.

Walking the length of both streets is a perfect introduction to Salcombe. Get an ice cream from Salcombe Dairy at the end of Island Street to enjoy along the way.

Take a coastal or countryside walk

There are so many beautiful walks in and around Salcombe. Simply walking along the coast from the centre to North Sands is one of my favourites with sweeping views of the estuary and hidden coves and homes. And there are also longer countryside and coastal walks along the dramtic South West Coast Path.

Here are a few favourites…

• Salcombe to North Sands – A short, easy walk with lovely sea views, finishing at a family-friendly beach and the Winking Prawn café.
• Salcombe to South Sands (and on to Bolt Head) – Follow the coast path to South Sands and, if you’re feeling energetic, continue on to Bolt Head for breathtaking clifftop views.
• East Portlemouth and Mill Bay – Take the passenger ferry across the estuary, then follow sandy paths and beaches towards Mill Bay and Gara Rock.
• Hope Cove to Thurlestone – A gentle section of the South West Coast Path with sweeping sea views and two picturesque villages to explore.
• Soar Mill Cove – A gorgeous walk leading to a secluded, wild beach surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Stop in at the East Soar Walkers’ Hut for cake!

Visit Overbecks

One of my top things to do in Salcombe is visit Overbecks, a National Trust property perched high on the cliffs and with fabulous gardens to wander around. There’s also a little tea room where you can enjoy some tea and cake while taking in the views.

Do a gin or rum experience

Create your own bottle of gin or rum at the Salcombe Distilling Co. A master distiller takes you through the process. And you can also do gin/rum tastings or simply enjoy a drink at the bar. They’ve become icons of the Salcombe scene.

Visit the walkers’ hut at East Soar Farm

I love the walkers’ hut at East Soar Farm, which has an honesty café offering cakes, teas, coffees and more. It’s a charming set up and is right opposite a small rustic playground and paddock with pet sheep, a pony, donkeys and pygmy goats. You can drive right there or walk from East Soar carpark or along the coast.

Refresh with a wood-fired sauna and river swim

For the ultimate experience in body detox and purification, try this forest wood-fired sauna and cold water river swim experience. Meeting around 20 minutes from Salcombe, the guided experience takes around 2.5 hours.

Visit a nearby market town

Salcombe is close to some of Devon’s pretty market towns, including my favourite, Totnes, which is about a 30-minute drive away. Totnes is an alternative bohemian enclave filled with artists and creative shops and restaurants – it’s one of the loveliest places to visit near Salcombe.

Also visit Kingsbridge, just 15 minute’s from Salcombe, which is a lively market town on the water. It’s much more lived-in than Salcombe and is also the place to go if you need a bigger supermarket.

Go for an afternoon tea

I’ll take any excuse for an afternoon tea and a holiday in Devon is surely one. There are great options at Salcombe Harbour Hotel, South Sands Hotel and Soar Mill Cove Hotel.

Hang out at Outside Devon

Probably the coolest place in the area is Outside Devon, home to a skate bowl, cafe and pottery studio. Be sure to check out their events schedule as there’s often something interesting going on. The food is my favourite in Salcombe.

Go to the Salcombe Maritime Musuem

I haven’t actually been here, but if you have an interest in boating and local history then the Salcombe Maritime Museum is said to be “a treasure trove of models, paintings, photographs and artefacts which tell the story of Salcombe’s links with ships and the sea from ancient times to the Second World War”.

Things to do on the water in Salcombe

Go for a ride on the ferry

There are two little ferry services from the centre of Salcombe that can take you to either East Portlemouth or South Sands Beach.

Both trips make for a great beach day out, plus it’s fascinating to see Salcombe from the water – there are some incredible homes tucked into the cliffs!

For South Sands, you can take the ferry one way as it’s walkable from town, but East Portlemouth is a return journey as it’s on the opposite side of the estuary.

Go coasteering

For an ultimate adventure trip, go on this rib coasteering trip, which combines a high-speed rib ride with some epic coasteering, including 10-metre cliff jumps, and wild swimming. Sea ‘n’ Shore also offer coasteering trips.

Try surfing

You can’t surf in Salcombe but there are great options nearby. You can take lessons or hire equipment at Discovery Surf School in Bantham or Bigbury on Sea. I love the surf at Bantham – it’s perfect for beginners/improvers, and on a sunny day, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Try your hand at SUP

Salcombe is a great place to try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). At Salcombe Watersports in East Portlemouth, you can take a lesson or hire the equipment you need to go out by yourself. The creek is a particularly popular place for paddleboarders and a super peaceful way to explore the area.

Adventure South will also deliver a board straight to your door for a 24-hour hire.

Adventure South also have a mega board that can carry eight people at once and is available for guided trips at Hope Cove Beach and South Sands.

Rent a boat

A fun way to explore the estuary is to hire your own boat for a few hours. No experience is necessary and you can hire boats for up to 8 passengers.

At Whitestrand Boat Hire or Salcombe Launch Co, they’ll give you advice on where to go – including local pubs you can sail to.

For something more in-depth, do a boat handling course at Salcombe Power Boats or Salcombe Dinghy Sailing.

Take a guided cruise

If you don’t fancy manning a boat yourself, you can take a guided cruise around the harbour, or another to Burgh Island.

Go sea kayaking

Sea Kayak Salcombe offers guided kayak tours from 1.5-5 hours. Guides will take you on different routes around the bay, creeks or even on a white-knuckle “rock hopper” tour for the more adventurous.

Family travel in Salcombe

The beaches, watersports and ice cream are more than enough to keep kids entertained in Salcombe, but other family-friendly ideas include:

Where to eat and drink in Salcombe

The Winking Prawn

The Winking Prawn is perfectly located right next to North Sands Beach, making it the perfect spot for a casual beach day lunch or dinner. It has a lots of fresh seafood as well as sandwiches, soups and snacks. The vegetarian selection is limited, but adequate.

And they also have a Salcombe Dairy ice cream van next door. And in the summertime, they do barbeque nights where you can order a set menu.

It’s worth noting that when the tide comes in, this place fills up, so try and beat the crowds by watching the tides. It was featured in the film The Roses in 2025.

Victoria Inn

The Victoria Inn is my favourite of the pubs in town – cosy in the winter and with a big beer garden for the summer. The garden is particularly good for kids. And it’s dog-friendly too – they even have a doggie menu!

Salcombe Bakehouse

Home to my favourite cheese and onion pasty, I never go to Salcombe without getting at least one. The Bakehouse also does a great selection of pastries and cakes. There’s a second branch in Kingsbridge.

Salcombe Distillery & Bar

The Salcombe Gin Distillery has a stylish bar looking out over the water. Top choice is the signature gin and tonic, but they also serve cocktails, beers, wines and soft drinks. And the Rum Distillery also has a cocktail bar, which doubles as a cafe during the day – it’s a new favourite place to have a coffee overlooking the water.

The Crab Shed

As a vegetarian, this isn’t one I’ve been to, but people rave about The Crab Shed. As you’d expect, the bright seaside restaurant specialises in local crab meat as well as other seafood.

Salcombe Dairy

You can’t go to Salcombe without getting an ice cream from the Salcombe Dairy. There are two main shops in Salcombe – one on Fore Street and one on Island Street in the Dairy’s factory, but you can also buy it in other outlets around Salcombe and the south west.

The peppermint flake flavour is my favourite. And for a true Devon experience, get a stick of fudge on top.

Wild Artichokes

Pre-pandemic, Wild Artichokes did supper clubs, but they now deliver their amazing meals so you can enjoy them at home. It’s high-end delivery – like experiencing a fancy restaurant in the comfort of your own home.

Rockfish

This waterfront seafood restaurant is part of a popular chain of coastal restaurants in the South West. It has a great location on Island Street and has become an instant hit. I haven’t tried it yet, but have heard good thngs.

Salcombe Taphouse

On the other side of Rockfish, facing Island Street, is the Salcombe Taphouse, a new, casual pub serving beer from their own onsite microbrewery.

Shopping in Salcombe

Cranch’s pantry and sweet shop

Cranch’s pink and white candy stripe awning makes for one of Salcombe’s most iconic sights, and the inside is as charming as the out. A proper old fashioned sweet shop where you can buy-by-weight from a selection of all the old favourites.

Roly’s Fudge

The smell of fudge fills the air outside Roly’s, and you can see the shopkeepers rolling out huge slabs of the sweet Devonshire treat throughout the day. It’s all very tempting and makes for a perfect holiday gift.

Will Bees Bespoke

Will Bees Bespoke is an eye-catching shop on Island Street, selling a range of leather and fabric patterned bags, which can be personalised in the onsite workshop.

Busby & Fox

Independent boutique, Busby & Fox, sells a stylish selection of high-end clothing, accessories and homewares. The shop itself is a beautiful space.

Jam Industries

Founded by brothers Andrew and Mark Jordan, Jam Industries is a stylish lifestyle boutique on Island Street that blends coastal living with city style. Expect high-quality, laid-back clothing – from cosy knitwear and Guernseys to hoodies and tees – all designed to take you seamlessly from the beach to the bar.

Found this useful? Share it on Pinterest!

Let us know if you have any more top tips to add to our guide.