A Weekend in Salcombe: Where to Eat, Drink and Explore
Fifteen minutes from Wicket View, Salcombe is the kind of harbour town that makes South Devon holidays memorable. Pastel-painted houses climb the hillside above a busy estuary full of sailing boats, and the whole place has a relaxed, salty-air pace that's perfect for a weekend away.
Morning: coffee and the water Start by walking the length of Fore Street, Salcombe's main shopping street, picking up coffee from one of the independent cafés before heading down to the water. The estuary is busy with dinghies, paddleboarders and the passenger ferry crossing back and forth to East Portlemouth — a good option if you fancy a short boat trip and a quieter beach on the far side.
Afternoon: gin and a harbour view No visit to Salcombe is complete without stopping at Salcombe Distilling Co. for a tour and tasting overlooking the water — book ahead in peak season, as tours fill up quickly. If gin isn't your thing, the harbourside benches near the lifeboat station are a lovely, free spot to sit with an ice cream and watch the boats.
Evening: seafood by the water Salcombe punches well above its weight for seafood. Rockfish on the harbourside is a relaxed, no-fuss choice from Devon chef Mitch Tonks, while The Victoria Inn on Fore Street is a dog-friendly pub serving hearty, award-winning food if you'd rather stay inland from the water. And one of our favourites, the Crab Shed, right on the water front, serving a host of different crab dishes, landed on the quay the very same day from local fishermen from Crab sandwiches to Whole Crab. One spot not to be missed! Book ahead for in summer.
Beach time nearby If the weather's good, East Portlemouth and Mill Bay are the easiest to get to, a quick trip over on the ferry and you’re set for the day. They’re sheltered, family-friendly beach just outside town, sitting within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — a good option for younger children or anyone who prefers calmer water. Sunny Cove is our favourite a little more difficult to get by foot, but worth it. There’s also the South Sands ferry that will take you around to another stunning beach. It’s a great experience getting on the beach tractor to make your way to land from the boat - kids love it.
Watching the boats go by on Sunny Cove
Getting there from Wicket View Salcombe is roughly a 15-minute drive from the cottage, making it perfectly doable as a half-day trip or a full lazy day out. Combine it with a walk along the coast path back towards Hope Cove for a full day of South Devon at its best. You can catch the bus from the village, only a 5 minute walk from Wicket View. Or alternatively we’d recommend using the park and ride in the peak of the season.
