Holiday rentals and lettings in Salcombe

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday rental in Salcombe?
• Holiday rentals in Salcombe: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Salcombe: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Salcombe?

• Range of holiday lettings: From estuary-view cottages to town-centre flats, Salcombe offers a range of self-catering homes with log fires, gardens and panoramic views over the Kingsbridge Estuary.
• Where to stay: North Sands and South Sands suit beach-loving families, whilst the town centre puts you amongst the boutiques and restaurants; East Portlemouth offers a quieter retreat across the water.
• Top-rated stays: Salcombe lettings earn glowing reviews for their comfort, sea views and warm welcome over the past year.
• Best time to visit: Summer brings the liveliest sailing scene and warmest seas, whilst the quieter spring and autumn shoulder seasons offer lower rates and fewer crowds.
• Things to do: Sail the estuary, sample world-famous Salcombe ice cream, walk the South West Coast Path and taste freshly caught crab in one of Devon's prettiest harbour towns.

Salcombe's holiday lettings range from cosy cottages and characterful holiday homes to rustic log cabins tucked into the rolling Devon hillsides. Couples will love compact estuary-view flats, whilst larger families can spread out in roomy homes with gardens and terraces.

Whatever your party size, you will find lettings kitted out with the home comforts that make a holiday easy:

• Log fires for cosy evenings after a day out on the water
• Gardens and terraces with views over the Kingsbridge Estuary
• Fast Wi-Fi throughout
• Pet-friendly homes, with over 100 lettings welcoming dogs
• Private parking

A handful of properties even come with a pool, so you can enjoy a dip in total privacy.

What are the best areas to stay in Salcombe?

For a first visit, the heart of Salcombe is the most convenient base, within easy walking distance of the beaches, shops and waterfront. Other areas worth considering include:

What do our guests say?

Salcombe's holiday lettings consistently earn glowing feedback for the breathtaking estuary and sea views, the excellent amenities, and how welcome guests feel from the moment they arrive. Families praise the easy walks down to the beach and the dog-friendly touches, whilst couples love the quiet evenings spent watching the light fade over the water.

Here are our top-rated holiday rentals from the past year:

1. Marine Mews 3 - 10.0: A bright cottage for four in the heart of Salcombe, South Devon, moments from the waterfront, the boutiques of Fore Street and the passenger ferries.
2. Firm Anchor - 10.0: A spacious cottage for eight with its own yard in Salcombe, ideal for larger families or groups wanting room to gather after a day on the estuary.
3. Charborough House Apt 3 - 9.6: A comfortable four-guest apartment in Salcombe, well placed for the beaches, harbour and town, with cosy interiors for relaxed evenings in.

Salcombe sits at the mouth of the Kingsbridge Estuary on the sunny south coast of Devon, within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England's far south-west.

✈️What is the best way to get to Salcombe?

Getting to Salcombe is easiest by car, though a combination of train and taxi works well too. Here are the most common ways to get to the town:

• Car: Most visitors drive. Leave the M5 motorway at Exeter and follow the A38 and A381 south through Totnes and Kingsbridge to Salcombe — roughly an hour from Plymouth. Use the seasonal park-and-ride at peak times if your accommodation does not include parking.
• Train: The nearest mainline stations are Totnes and Plymouth, both on the London Paddington to Penzance line. From either, it is a short taxi or bus ride on to Salcombe. The scenic run along the Devon coast is a lovely start to a holiday.
• Coach: The most budget friendly option. National Express coaches serve Plymouth and Totnes from across the country, with local buses and taxis connecting on to Salcombe.

🥗Where to eat in Salcombe?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, The Winking Prawn is the best-rated restaurant in Salcombe. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Hannah and Oliver recommend The Crab Shed in Salcombe: this tiny harbourside spot serves crab caught that very morning, and there are few finer ways to spend a sunny Devon lunchtime.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Salcombe is from late May to September, when the seas are warmest, the sailing scene is in full swing and the beaches come alive. For a quieter stay with lower rates, the spring and autumn shoulder seasons offer mild weather, uncrowded coast paths and a more relaxed pace.

Summer

• Best for: Families, sailors and beach lovers.
• Weather: Warm and bright, with sea temperatures at their most inviting.
• Atmosphere: Lively and sociable, with regattas, busy beaches and a full harbour.

Spring

• Best for: Walkers and couples after a peaceful break.
• Weather: Mild and fresh, with wildflowers along the coastal paths.
• Atmosphere: Calm and uncrowded, with lower rates before the summer rush.

Autumn

• Best for: Foodies and coastal walkers.
• Weather: Still sunny, though cooler towards October.
• Atmosphere: Relaxed and quiet, with the South West Coast Path at its loveliest.

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our Salcombe local expert, James of Quays Cottage, recommends visiting Overbeck's, a clifftop house and subtropical garden run by the National Trust with sweeping views over the estuary. You can read more about local tips on James's page.

1. Sail or kayak on the Kingsbridge Estuary
2. Sample world-famous Salcombe ice cream
3. Walk the South West Coast Path
4. Taste freshly caught Salcombe crab
5. Visit the Salcombe gin distillery

1. Sail or kayak on the Kingsbridge Estuary

   Salcombe is one of Britain's great sailing towns, and getting out on the water is a must. Hire a dinghy or take a lesson at the RYA-certified Salcombe Dinghy Sailing school, where everyone from eight to eighty is welcome. Prefer something gentler? Glide along the sheltered estuary by kayak or paddleboard, or charter a yacht with a skipper for the day.

2. Sample world-famous Salcombe ice cream

   No holiday here is complete without a scoop of Salcombe Dairy ice cream, made in the town and shipped as far afield as New Zealand. Join the queue at the harbourside parlour, choose from dozens of flavours and wander down to the water's edge to enjoy it.

3. Walk the South West Coast Path

   Some of the finest stretches of the South West Coast Path begin right on Salcombe's doorstep. Catch the ferry across to East Portlemouth and follow the cliffs towards Gara Rock, or head south to Bolt Head for dramatic sea views and hidden coves. To explore further along the coast, you could even extend your travels with a coastal cottage in St Ives.

4. Taste freshly caught Salcombe crab

   Salcombe's fishing boats land crab and lobster daily, and tasting it is one of the essential experiences of any visit. Pick up a dressed crab from a harbourside stall, settle in at a seafood café, or try your hand at crabbing from the quay with a line and bucket — great fun for children, if trickier than it looks.

5. Visit the Salcombe gin distillery

   On Island Street you will find Salcombe's very own gin distillery, where small-batch spirits are made right by the harbour. Book a tasting or tour to learn how the gin is crafted, then enjoy a glass as the sun sets over the estuary. For a longer West Country escape, many visitors pair Salcombe with a stay in cottages in nearby Cornwall.