Salcombe

Yachty Salcombe is a magnet for discerning travellers who want beach chic without having to step on a plane. Abi Manning reveals her guide to a swoonworthy weekend in this seaside spot

Friday

Check in at Harbour Beach Club, the latest addition to the town’s raft of upscale hotels and which opened just a couple of years ago. The luxe hotel, bar and restaurant has made a name for itself for its chic interior decor, beachside setting, spa, and seafood‑centric menu.

Its spot on the shores of South Sands beach is the perfect base for a Salcombe weekender: far enough from the hubbub of town but close enough to take advantage of Salcombe’s attractions (thanks to a complimentary all‑day e‑shuttle service).

Discerning visitors will opt for a Deluxe Sea View Suite which includes an open‑plan lounge, roomy bathroom and a balcony with beach views.

Ease into the weekend with Friday afternoon in the spa. Unravelling on the massage table, gliding through the 12‑metre pool and relaxing in a hot tub are the perfect post‑journey wind down before mixing a complimentary in‑room gin and tonic and sipping it on your balcony.

Visitors don’t need to leave the hotel to eat well. The contemporary restaurant’s floor‑to‑ceiling windows frame the coastal views, but on balmy evenings the best seats in the house are found on the outdoor terrace. Seafood takes a starring role on the seasonal menus ‑ choose from crowd pleasers like grilled lobster with garlic butter or creations such as panfried sea bream with Asian broth, razor clams and saffron potatoes.

Saturday

Head to the beach at sunrise for one of the hotel’s complimentary yoga sessions. After breakfast, switch up the pace with a jaunt around town. Hone your Salcombe style on Island Street: Will Bees Bespoke crafts handmade bags and accessories (with embossed personalisation), while Jam Industries (ex‑Made in Chelsea star Andy Jordan’s lifestyle brand) deals in après‑surf‑style contemporary threads. Head to Fore Street for indie homewares and clothing shops Love From and Chattels, and contemporary art hub The Drang Gallery. Then join the queue at Salcombe Dairy for an artisan ice cream.

Crab Shed is a relaxed lunch location: the vibe is informal but the quality of shellfish ‑ plucked from local waters ‑ is cracking. A five‑minute stroll away is Salcombe Distilling Co. where you can spend the afternoon learning the art of distillation and craft your own 70cl bottle of gin, flavoured with your pick of the botanicals. Follow the experience with a G&T in the distillery’s bar. It has also recently launched a Rum School Experience, or visit Devon Rum Co. for a rum cocktail masterclass.

Switch up the dining options on Saturday night and head to The Jetty at Salcombe Harbour Hotel. In summer, its chefs offer a fresh seafood bar where guests can select their own crustaceans. After dinner, a nightcap on South Sands Hotel‘s terrace provides the perfect end to a Salcombe day.

Sunday

Take advantage of the takeaway coffee provided by the hotel on checkout, but make sure you devour a little more of what Salcombe has to offer before heading home.

Water babies have numerous opportunities for fun: hire a kayak or SUP from Sea Kayak Salcombe and paddle to the tiny village of South Pool for a pit stop at award‑winning Millbrook Inn. Other options include Whitestrand Boat Hire, Salcombe Dinghy Sailing and Salcombe Angling.

Landlubbers can take the coast road to National Trust property Overbeck’s Garden at Sharpitor, where subtropical gardens perch on a clifftop and refreshments come courtesy of converted horsebox pop‑up Gastrobox.

Alternatively, hop on the ferry at The Ferry Inn to East Portlemouth and access quieter beaches on the other side of the estuary. It’s also the spot to drop onto a walk that curls round the headland and will, ideally, end with a cream tea at Gara Rock Hotel.

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