Things to do in Salcombe in March

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Overview

March is a good time to visit Salcombe. The weather is usually cold and slightly windy, with temperatures ranging from 43—49°F (6—10°C).

Salcombe has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your March trip to Salcombe. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to March. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Salcombe in March. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout March, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

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Best events and things to do in Salcombe in March

Top experiences in March
We couldn't find any experiences in March
Holidays in Salcombe in March
March
  • Mother's Day (March 15)
Other notable holidays
  • Valentine's Day (February 14)
  • Carnival / Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day (February 17)
  • Good Friday (April 3)
  • Easter Sunday (April 5)
  • Early May Bank Holiday (May 4)
  • Spring Bank Holiday (May 25)
  • King's Birthday (June 20)
  • Father's Day (June 21)
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Weather in Salcombe in March

Temperatures on an average day in Salcombe in March

The average temperature in Salcombe in March for a typical day ranges from a high of 49°F (10°C) to a low of 43°F (6°C). Some would describe the temperature to be cold. The general area may also feel slightly windy.

For comparison, the hottest month in Salcombe, July, has days with highs of 65°F (19°C) and lows of 58°F (14°C). The coldest month, February has days with highs of 47°F (9°C) and lows of 42°F (6°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Salcombe in March based on historical data.

Visiting Salcombe? See our Salcombe Trip Planner.

Historical temperature average in March
49°F
highs
43°F
lows

General weather summary

Cold, slightly windy
Feels like
33%
Chance of rain
0.099 in
Amount
19.7 mph
Wind speed
85%
Humidity
11.8 hrs
Daylight length
6:36 AM
Sunrise
6:26 PM
Sunset
39%
Cloud cover
Jacket
What to wear
What to wear in March
With an average high of 49°F (10°C) and a low of 43°F (6°C), it generally feels cold and slightly windy. There might also be a small chance of rain. With that in mind, most people would dress in something warm like a jacket
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Best attractions for Salcombe in March

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Salcombe has to offer for travelers in March, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Salcombe that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Salcombe for March.
National Trust - Overbeck's Garden
1. National Trust - Overbeck's Garden
4.5
(937)
Garden
Nature & Parks
1913 Edwardian-style home with quirky art & history collections & gardens with sea views.
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Beautiful place and well worth the hairpin bends on the way up. The views are breathtaking and the gardens are well thought out. The mrytle trees are stunning and the agapanthus are glorious. Loved the bespoke handrails throughout gardens and the banana garden is like being in a tropical country. If you need any inspiration for your garden...go!
Great visit, not very large but quite unique with some of the plants and the views are stunning. Lots of different paths to take that weave in and out of different gardens with varying focuses. We have young children, easier to carry, pram would be difficult.
Beautiful gardens. Still lots of flowers even in October. Catering just outside the entrance excellent. Quite a narrow winding road to get there but very worthwhile.
Really wonderful afternoon here. The gardens are beautiful, lots of lovely flowers and palm trees. Plenty of birds to see. The gardens are pretty much all dog friendly apart from the banana garden and front lawn otherwise they can go everywhere and there is water bowls at the entrance for them. There is a lovely little cafè. I would highly recommend a visit here.
Lovely gardens and interesting foliage. The house was closed when we visited, but we enjoyed the most magnificent views and walks. The volunteers were friendly and welcoming.
Very nice well kept gardens with many exotics. Good walks/trails with some lovely views over the surrounding countryside.
Always a treat coming to this garden. A lovely walk from Salcombe past North and South Sands along the narrow and steep roads! (there's a lovely footpath getting out of the top of Salcombe if you can find it!!) The gardens are very well kept and beautiful. We have been many times and will come back many more!
Beautiful National Trust gardens overlooking South Sands bay. The staff are very friendly and knowledgable, and dogs on leads are allowed into the gardens. There’s a cafe by the entrance that serves really nice coffee / cold drinks, and food (focaccia sandwiches, cakes, decent vegan options etc!). There is parking just outside, and access to the coastal path direct from the garden. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area!
Hope & Anchor, Hope Cove
2. Hope & Anchor, Hope Cove
4.5
(1720)
Pub
Gastropub
Rustic-chic pub offering understated rooms & a cottage, plus sea views, a terrace & free parking.
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Fab pub, friendly and sophisticated in equal measure. We arrived in the middle of Storm Amy and in addition to serving us a great meal with good wine we were sent home with a complimentary hospitality pack for breakfast the next morning. We came back two nights later for another lovely dinner (especially good chips and puddings). Our server Nyx was attentive and knowledgeable and made us very welcome. Hope to get a table for Wednesday quiz night!
Food. Great. Place. Great. Service. Poor. Full of young people. All they did was fuss over a dog when we were waiting for our drinks to be ordered. But the view was fantastic and staying in Hope Cove was great. We went to The Crabshell, the same partner, was great (make sure to see that review) but this was poor and they weren't even apologetic. Just sitting chatting while we waited for an hour. RIDICULOUS!
Had a fabulous visit with my mum. We sat on the terrace in the afternoon sun overlooking the bay as the sun went down. We both had the fish with skin on fries - beautifully fresh and tasty. Mine was gluten free and absolutely gorgeous (not used to saying this for gluten free food!). All of the staff were professional and friendly but Melissa especially was so helpful and thoughtful with my mum who had some mobility challenges today. Thank you.
The pub really couldn’t be nearer the sea. It’s a lovely location. The staff were so friendly and helpful, nothing was too much trouble for them. The food was delicious too. I had the cabin room which was a suite so was very pleased with that too. I loved how people’s dogs were so welcome. Often pubs say that but just tolerate them in practice. Not here, they really are very welcome.
We had a wonderful meal at the Hope and Anchor, 4 adults and a toddler. All the food was delicious, the proper pie was great and the desserts enormous. Very nice spritzes too. Max and Lari who served us were both lovely, especially with our toddler and had excellent drinks recommendations (not for the toddler!). Great place for a walk along the beach after. Would thoroughly recommend.
We had a really lovely meal here. The best fish and chips I've ever had and included curry sauce as well as tartar. Would highly recommend. I would say essential to book in high season.
We had a wonderful evening at the Hope and Anchor in Hope Cove. We ordered the sea bass from the specials board and it was absolutely delicious – fresh, perfectly cooked, and full of flavour. We were lucky enough to sit outside and enjoy the most beautiful sunset, which made the whole experience even more special. The team were exceptionally friendly and welcoming, as always, which is one of the many reasons we love coming here. A fantastic spot – highly recommend!
I had such a fantastic time at the Hope & Anchor in Hope Cove. The setting is absolutely stunning, with gorgeous views and a lovely atmosphere that makes you feel instantly relaxed. What really stood out to me, though, was the service – Anna behind the bar and Eden (server ) both went above and beyond to make my visit special. Friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, they made sure everything was spot on from start to finish. It’s rare to find that level of care and professionalism, and it made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommend this place – I will definitely be back!
Bolt Head
3. Bolt Head
4.8
(20)
Peninsula
Outdoor Activities
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A truly special and beautiful place in the UK. Swipe right for some more gorgeous photos of our little adventure to Bolt Head (rock formation). We used our little folding bike and had to park it by the National Trust entrance in order to walk down the coastal path. We saw some small garden snakes 😯 which we swiftly avoided 🏃‍♀🐍 The views of the harbour and sea were outstanding!
Fabulous circular walk from Overbeck’s National Trust car park to bolt head. Parking was £6 all day. Great views! A moderate walk with undulating hills
Great wide ranging view and an easy clifftop path with an option for a circular route. Just beware, there are big drops. Dog friendly, car parking is £3 all day, free to National Trust.
Fantastic loop walk from Overbecks National Trust Gardens. They open 2nd April. Blossom on Magnolia looked amazing even from a distance.!
Wild,wonderful and beautiful
Fabulous walk, take ferry to South Sands Salcombe, walk up by Overbecks. On a good day superb views over the estuary, can be quite tricky in parts and need good head for heights. Parts of the walk were cut out of the rock to enable WW1 injured soldiers to get to Overbecks via boat from below, when Overbecks was used as a Hospital. If you 'like' this review please give me a tick ✅♥ Thank you...
Amazing views from this rugged landscape. The walk up from South Beach was fantastic with an outstanding part of the SWCP being simply breathing in more than one sense of the word.
Wonderful views and scenery. SW coast path runs along here but there are plenty of other paths and walks to enjoy.
Salcombe Distilling Company - Distillery, Bar, Gin School & Retail Store
4. Salcombe Distilling Company - Distillery, Bar, Gin School & Retail Store
4.6
(273)
Distillery
Food & Drink
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Exceptional service and the distillery tour is really good fun! A party of 6 and we had a fantastic time. Well worth a visit. The team are friendly and knowledgeable and the whole experience was spot on! Thank you!
An unforgettable experience at Salcombe Gin Bar! We had an incredible time at the Salcombe Gin Bar – the atmosphere was vibrant yet relaxed, and the setting right by the water made it even more special. The real standout, though, was the service. Crystal was absolutely fantastic – warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what she does. She took the time to walk us through the gin menu, made brilliant recommendations based on our tastes, and mixed up some of the best cocktails we've ever had. Her attention to detail and friendly energy really elevated the whole experience. Can’t recommend this place enough – we’ll definitely be back!
A birthday gift and a great afternoon of drinking and making gin was had by all. Harry and Chris were our hosts and talked us through the distilling process in their distilling room, Chris then took us through our gin making and tasting! Gin made bottled and labelled, then back to the bar to sample of own masterpieces with Jake’s sound counsel as to what garnishes we should have. A memorable day thank you one and all
Perfect gift! A wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Salcombe and the joy of creating one's own gin. Very happy wife.
I owned a house in Island Street for nearly 30 years and was delighted when the Salcombe Distillery was built on the site of the old Island Cruising Club Boathouse When the cocktail bar opened, I was very excited to pay a visit. On the first few occasions I treated our party to Salcombe Gin Marmahitos, which were superb if not a little pricey at £12 each. Last weekend I was in Salcombe with my partner and we decided to treat ourselves to one of these wonderful drinks. Unfortunately the quality is now quite poor, with no caramelised dried orange (which we had to ask for) very little marmalade flavour and yet these are now £14 each. I would not mind paying for the drink as it once was but not as it is now. Come on Salcombe Gin if you are going to charge premium prices your customers should receive a premium drink.
Terrible experience on the first night of our holiday. Popped in for a cocktail before dinner, were brusquely brushed off to a table by the bar staff when we asked whether we should order there or at the table. Waited for service to come, none arrived. Flagged down a member of staff to be told he wasn't serving, but with a tasting group. Went back to the bar to be told someone would come and, about 20 minutes after our arrival, finally piggy back ordered from a waiter delivering drinks to the neighbouring couple who had also complained about the delay. The bar had fewer than 10 customers in it. 15 minutes later, still no sign of our drinks and when a second round of drinks was brought to the couple we checked to be told they had no record of our order. We left and expressed our disappointment to a female member of bar staff who smirked at us and gave not a word of a regret or an apology. We won't be back, nor ever buy the brand. Incredibly disappointing.
Loved the Gin School experience I did back in September. There are so many botanicals to choose from to "make" your gin. I did the experience solo and I didn't feel awkward so don't be afraid to do this on your own! Highly recommend this to anyone who loves gin.
Every single detail is so very well thought out. The shop alone is a work of art, and even resembles a gallery with gorgeous photography adorning the walls and beautiful bottles displayed well. The distillery is open for all to see at one end of a bright and airy open-plan bar area with feels like a boathouse overlooking the glistening estuary. All staff are welcoming, knowledgeable and generous. The gin school especially was both fascinating and exciting, teaching you so much more than your regular distillery tour. You have some upfront learning about gin making in the main distillery and then you are brought to apply your learning practically whilst making your own gin with your own set of botanicals in your own dedicated copper still. You then bottle, name, label and package your own gin with enough to have a gin & tonic or two with your own creation at the bar. Very, very well done - will absolutely be back.
The Salcombe Information Centre
5. The Salcombe Information Centre
4.4
(19)
Tourist information center
Non-profit organization
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Great place to eat fresh local produce cooked to order, good coffee and cakes all locally made. Good views across the bay and a real sun trap.
This is not a review for the information centre rather the whole of salcombe. The customer service in Salcombe is at seriously low levels. Restuarants / pubs / cafes are all sub par for service. food quality is below standard. Salcombe needs quite the shakeup
Leaflets are so important for Devon as there are some great attractions that don't get much publicity otherwise. A good tip, however, is to use Google Maps and just "surf" local areas and click on things that may be of interest near to you and look through the reviews as these leaflets can be a touch misleading.
Very friendly and helpful staff with good advice :) Just beware the opening times on Google aren't accurate, this time of year it shuts at 4pm not 5pm.
Excellent service very helpful young lady working there
A nice view from here, but parking is not easy!
Lovely all year round in and out of season
Tranquil setting and the crab sandwiches are top notch
Harbour Hotel Salcombe
6. Harbour Hotel Salcombe
4.4
(799)
Hotel
High-end rooms and upscale villas, plus a spa, a private cinema and a waterside restaurant.
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Very special night away at the Salcombe Harbour Hotel for my birthday. Our room was kindly upgraded by your lovely Team to a beautiful room with an estuary view and balcony. Amazing massage with Emmy from the Spa. Highly recommended! Delicious dinner with old friends in your lovely dining room with very helpful staff. Thank you for such a truly wonderful night away. Your team are so warm and friendly. It really made my stay to feel so welcomed in a place I truly love. There’s no where I love more than Salcombe. We are returning to the Salcombe Harbour Hotel in September and we will be back for many more visits in the future. Thank you 🙏
What a fantastic hotel! We stayed (sadly) for one night only but it was perfect. This was our first visit to Salcombe and the hotel and its location were perfect for us. On arrival we were greeted by a very friendly welcome and this very much set the tone for the remainder of our stay. We wanted to have a good look around Salcombe so the hotel's central location could not have been any better. Our room, overlooking the estuary, was well-appointed and beautifully presented. All areas of the hotel were clean, smart and stylishly coastal in decor, making it feel airy and spacious. We enjoyed fantastic treatments by Beth in the spa. Our meal in The Jetty restaurant was first class and extremely tasty the service we received from all restaurant staff was excellent. A short swim and sauna, in the small but perfectly formed pool area the following morning, set up up for the day ahead as did the excellent continental buffet breakfast. We could not have been happier with our choice of hotel and we will definitely return to stay again. Thank you to every member of the team who made our short stay in Salcombe so enjoyable and memorable.
UPDATE: Following my original review, the General Manager responded to me personally via email — however, addressed us incorrectly as “Mr. & Mrs. Douglas,” despite being clearly informed of our names and that we are not married. This kind of careless handling sums up our entire experience: surface-level politeness, but no real attention to detail. His public reply here is misleading. While he suggests the matter was “discussed,” in reality it was not resolved. My concerns — including the poor room condition, the mishandling of our anniversary dinner at The Jetty, the dismissive treatment by staff, and the 4am noise — were acknowledged but largely brushed off. No meaningful resolution or gesture was offered despite us spending over £500 on food and drink. This reply feels more like damage control than genuine customer service. It reinforces my view that guests outside wedding groups or “VIPs” are treated like afterthoughts. We won’t be returning. If you value attention to detail, special occasion service, and staff who truly listen — look elsewhere. Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1 out of 5) Extremely Disappointing Anniversary Stay – Not Worth the Price We stayed at Harbour Hotel Salcombe from June 14–16 to celebrate our anniversary, but it turned into a frustrating and underwhelming experience. While Helen at reception was lovely and helpful in switching our room (the lift was broken and my partner couldn’t manage stairs with a heavy suitcase), that’s where the positives ended. The room had a clogged sink, a strong musty odor, and worn carpets. A supposed “complimentary Salcombe gin” turned out to require purchasing tonic from the minibar — not exactly the thoughtful gesture it appeared to be. Worst of all, under the tissue box lid was a hidden toilet roll. I’ve travelled to 250+ destinations and never seen anything quite like it. We booked The Jetty restaurant in advance and informed the hotel that it was our anniversary, requesting a table with a view. No acknowledgment, no note, no effort. When we reminded them, we were told it was “first come, first serve.” On the night of our celebration, we weren’t seated until past 8pm (despite a 7:15pm reservation), and the table eventually offered was clearly an afterthought. Cloe, the staff member in charge, was dismissive and unprofessional. Add in noisy wedding parties, having to call reception at 4am to stop the next-door noise, and over £500 spent on subpar service and drinks — and the experience becomes not just disappointing but frustrating. We will not return. If you value your time, money, and special occasions, look elsewhere.
We recently spent four nights at the Salcombe Harbour Hotel for my birthday. The location, views and staff are all wonderful — truly a beautiful place. However, we did find the room to be a little tired for the price and room category, with chips and scuffs on the walls, some staining on the carpet, and stained grout in the shower. It didn’t ruin our stay, but for what is considered one of the hotel’s best rooms, we expected a bit more attention to detail. We had planned to dine in the hotel each night and had paid in advance, but only ended up eating there twice. The food was unfortunately just okay. I couldn’t eat my cod dish on the first night, which is unusual because it’s normally one of my favourites. As a result, we spent more than intended eating elsewhere. I do want to say that the restaurant staff, especially Elizabeth and Jack, were absolutely lovely and very attentive. On the only day we had time to use the spa, it was closed due to an unavoidable incident with a child being unwell. Of course these things happen, but when we mentioned all of the above at reception on our final evening, we were simply told the information would be passed on. At checkout, there was no acknowledgement, apology or gesture — even the cod dish remained on the bill. Overall, it was a special location and we met some genuinely lovely staff, but we left feeling a bit disappointed and not as looked after as we had hoped, especially considering the cost of the stay. The view is certainly memorable — I just wish the overall experience had matched it.
If you want to empty your pockets on a weekend away, this is the place to go, hotel has a nice bar, and breakfast is outstanding, continental included (the best I have ever come across) or pay £10 for a cooked addition. Car parking a bit tight and stressful, but the hotel staff manage admirably with the challenge. Walk into Salcombe town 5mins, there is also a complimentary shuttle bus going various places. Bar manager top notch (cheeky monkey) and all the staff very helpful. Bar bright and buzzy, didn’t eat an evening meal, but if as good as breakfast you can’t go wrong. Ate at The Crab Shed one night, and Rockfish the next night. Small passenger ferry running over the estuary to Mill Bay Civil War (1642–1646) Salcombe was one of the last Royalist strongholds in Devon. Fort Charles, built around 1540 under Henry VIII as part of coastal defences, was held for the King until 1646, when it finally surrendered to Parliamentarian forces after a long siege. Its ruins still stand near South Sands — a powerful reminder of the area’s strategic importance. ⸻ 18th–19th Century: Fishing, Shipbuilding & Trade • The town’s prosperity grew through fishing (especially pilchard and crab) and shipbuilding, using local oak and estuary facilities. The Salcombe fruit schooners were famous for speed and skill — a sort of “yacht-like” cargo fleet — until storms in 1916 destroyed several, marking the end of that era. Kingsbridge Estuary became vital for trade in lime, coal, and agricultural goods. Hope Cove: Once a smuggling hotspot; now a picturesque fishing and holiday village. Bolt Head & Bolt Tail: Coastal headlands with Iron Age ramparts and WW2 lookouts. Kingsbridge: The market town at the head of the estuary — medieval roots, once home to wool trade and shipyards. South Pool & East Portlemouth: Pretty estuary villages dating to the Domesday Book. Start Point Lighthouse (1836): Built to warn sailors off one of Britain’s most dangerous stretches of coast. Only gave 4 stars because there were significant building maintainance issues which appear to have not been spotted or have not been rectified for some reason. That’s all…..
Stayed whilst visiting family for one night only, arrived late on the Saturday night and was greeted by Helen on reception, she could not have been more helpful and professional a credit to the Harbour Hotels Group. Helen offered us an upgrade and offered to show us the room which was fabulous and fantastic views, of course we accepted. Visited the bar area and again the staff could not have been anymore helpful than they were. After a great nights sleep in our very lovely room we went for Breakfast in the dining area where again staff could not have been more polite and professional, service was good as well as the food. Cannot rate this experience any better than excellent. Can’t wait to visit again soon,but for longer.
Only stopped here for a coffee and hot chocolate. Very welcoming staff - and drinks were reasonable priced . Gorgeous views across the harbour.
Just returned from a wonderful birthday stay here. The staff are all very attentive and made sure our stay was special, nothing was too much trouble. Lovely touches for children such as wellies, cinema room and designated swim times. Special mention to Adam the Restaurant Manager- both him and his team provided exceptional service!
Gara Rock
7. Gara Rock
4.2
(576)
Hotel
Outdoor Activities
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Our stay at Gara Rock in under 3 floors Residence, was absolutely amazing! The attention to detail in every aspect of our visit was impressive. The team looking after us provided exceptional service, making us feel incredibly welcome. We were particularly impressed by how genuinely dog-friendly the resort is, with fantastic amenities like the restaurants, bar, and even special showers for pets. A top tip for future visitors: be sure to pack some sturdy shoes to take advantage of the wonderful walking opportunities in the area! Option 3 (Focus on Key Highlights)
We recently enjoyed a 5* stay at Gara Rock. The setting is magnificent and the hotel excellent in all respects. The balcony rooms offer beautiful views over the sea and the dramatic coastline. Above all, the staff are most welcoming and unfailingly cheerful; they grace this fine hotel. We look forward to returning!
Amazing location, great facilities. The food was excellent both breakfast and dinner. What made the stay so much more pleasurable was the incredible people who work here. Just so friendly and fun and accommodating, nothing too much trouble and always done with a smile. Given what we have witnessed in Europe on this stay this was a much needed and welcome change. Thanks to all for making it a memorable stay !
We had the most incredible stay here for our babymoon / wedding anniversary! Having wanted to stay for quite some time now, the hotel blew us away & exceeding all of our expectations. The staff were completely committed to ensuring we had a relaxing stay and are all so friendly. The reception staff were always warm and welcoming, the restaurant staff so smiley and accommodating (especially the Kiwis!) and the spa therapists, Matt & Sophie, were incredibly talented - we had the dreamiest massage & facial treatments. We loved the little touches; the pillow menu (including a pregnancy one!), the private cinema and the hotel arrival tour. The beach is so gorgeous and peaceful, and even I made it down and up the hill just fine (albeit a bit slower than my husband!). There’s coastal views everywhere you look, from each room and the stunning restaurant (with incredible food options and daily local caught fish specials). It was such a treat sitting on our balcony overlooking the sea and local sheepdog rounding up the cows in the fields every morning. 10/10 trip for us, thank you for making it so special & pregnant friendly!
Had a brilliant stay for three nights at Gara Rock and would happily come back again. Chose the hotel to propose to my fiance and the staff could not have been more helpful with making sure that it was a memory that we will not forget. Views are stunning rain or shine, spa facilities were brilliant and both breakfast and dinner had excellent choices. Having daily specials sourced locally also means that there is always something different if staying for an extended period of time. Thank you to the Gara Rock team and we cannot wait to come back again in the future.
We've spent 5 nights in one of the junior suites at the hotel. The suite is spacious and very tastefully decorated and it's got all you need. Although you could do with a bit more light in the bathroom and bedroom. For breakfast you can help yourself to a continental from the buffet which is great and again very extensive. We didn't try the cooked breakfast. Dinner (Bouillabaisse) had more than enough fish and shellfish in it and was well seasoned. What lets the service down however, is the fact that we asked for a table on our balcony and over the entire 5 days they weren't able to find and get one. You could simply take one from another suite that's checking out but for some reason that didn't seem possible. 0 points for checkout because the lady didn't even ask how our stay at Gara Rock has been.
Drove over last night for a relaxed beer at the end of a lovely weekend only to be turned away. Four staff sitting around chatting at the bar and the place is empty but not interested in selling us a drink. As locals we have visited the Gara Rock many times over the years and I would estimate that on half those occasions we have left without being served drinks or food. At some point you just stop going, I really wonder how they are still in business!
Very disappointed with our stay. Our first day of honeymoon. My wife booked our stay as a surprise for me. On check-in the lady was a bit surly. She showed us to our room. When I exclaimed how amazing the room and view was, (I was being very appreciative as it was a treat) the lady went on to say “oh, this is a basic room. Other rooms are much better.” Leaving my wife feeling a bit insulted. Very poor customer-facing skills. We had booked a table for lunch. My wife had requested a window table months before as it was a special occasion. We didn’t get a window unfortunately. The menu was good and we decided to save the sea bass special for our evening meal. In the evening, we again didn’t get a window table. Ready to order we were told the sea bass had run out. Not a problem at all. Instead we ordered a pork chop. 20 mins later we’re told it had run out. We then ordered the fillet steak as we were promised there were two left. Another 20 minutes went by and we were then told that too had run out. The initial girl serving hadn’t the nerve to tell us so they sent a new guy who had only been there a week. He was actually amazing. He was a huge shining positive interaction of our visit. There were also two kiwi girls who were very friendly and professional too. Anyway, for our nice romantic evening there was no meat or fish option; we were left with a choice of pasta, pizza or salad. Ended up having salad and pasta which was nice but a hugely disappointing experience all around. Fell well below our expectations. It wasn’t hugely busy, our seating was at 1900h, most diners were seemingly there with reservations, so there’s clearly a massive problem with stock management. I wouldn’t recommend going. The location is great but it could and should be much better.
Salcombe Maritime Museum
8. Salcombe Maritime Museum
4.8
(17)
Maritime museum
Museums
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Fantastic small museum! Worth a visit!
Excellent small local museum full of fascinating artefacts linking to history of Salcombe . Really enjoyed the visit. The museum provides a real view back into Salcombe’s past , particularly the era of sailing / trading ships , and WW2. Highly recommend a visit - allow an hour. Free but why not make a donation ?
Great little museum. So much history and interesting artifacts in such a small building. Friendly helpful staff, worth a visit to learn about Salcombes past.
A lovely little museum, that does a great deal with the artefacts they have and gives a far more detailed and varied experience than many larger museums.
A friendly small museum that has good exhibits about the second world war and also local wrecks. Unsuitable for big groups but perfect for an hour of pottering.
Really interesting museum with fantastic staff who answered all questions.
Excellent museum. A view of Salcombe before the tyranny of the second home. Also several really good publications.
For anyone with even half an interest in the sea and ships, Salcombe Maritime Museum is a must. Packed with nauticalia of all sorts and pictures and exhibits of local interest.
Gara Rock
9. Gara Rock
4.2
(576)
Hotel
Outdoor Activities
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Our stay at Gara Rock in under 3 floors Residence, was absolutely amazing! The attention to detail in every aspect of our visit was impressive. The team looking after us provided exceptional service, making us feel incredibly welcome. We were particularly impressed by how genuinely dog-friendly the resort is, with fantastic amenities like the restaurants, bar, and even special showers for pets. A top tip for future visitors: be sure to pack some sturdy shoes to take advantage of the wonderful walking opportunities in the area! Option 3 (Focus on Key Highlights)
We recently enjoyed a 5* stay at Gara Rock. The setting is magnificent and the hotel excellent in all respects. The balcony rooms offer beautiful views over the sea and the dramatic coastline. Above all, the staff are most welcoming and unfailingly cheerful; they grace this fine hotel. We look forward to returning!
Amazing location, great facilities. The food was excellent both breakfast and dinner. What made the stay so much more pleasurable was the incredible people who work here. Just so friendly and fun and accommodating, nothing too much trouble and always done with a smile. Given what we have witnessed in Europe on this stay this was a much needed and welcome change. Thanks to all for making it a memorable stay !
We had the most incredible stay here for our babymoon / wedding anniversary! Having wanted to stay for quite some time now, the hotel blew us away & exceeding all of our expectations. The staff were completely committed to ensuring we had a relaxing stay and are all so friendly. The reception staff were always warm and welcoming, the restaurant staff so smiley and accommodating (especially the Kiwis!) and the spa therapists, Matt & Sophie, were incredibly talented - we had the dreamiest massage & facial treatments. We loved the little touches; the pillow menu (including a pregnancy one!), the private cinema and the hotel arrival tour. The beach is so gorgeous and peaceful, and even I made it down and up the hill just fine (albeit a bit slower than my husband!). There’s coastal views everywhere you look, from each room and the stunning restaurant (with incredible food options and daily local caught fish specials). It was such a treat sitting on our balcony overlooking the sea and local sheepdog rounding up the cows in the fields every morning. 10/10 trip for us, thank you for making it so special & pregnant friendly!
Had a brilliant stay for three nights at Gara Rock and would happily come back again. Chose the hotel to propose to my fiance and the staff could not have been more helpful with making sure that it was a memory that we will not forget. Views are stunning rain or shine, spa facilities were brilliant and both breakfast and dinner had excellent choices. Having daily specials sourced locally also means that there is always something different if staying for an extended period of time. Thank you to the Gara Rock team and we cannot wait to come back again in the future.
We've spent 5 nights in one of the junior suites at the hotel. The suite is spacious and very tastefully decorated and it's got all you need. Although you could do with a bit more light in the bathroom and bedroom. For breakfast you can help yourself to a continental from the buffet which is great and again very extensive. We didn't try the cooked breakfast. Dinner (Bouillabaisse) had more than enough fish and shellfish in it and was well seasoned. What lets the service down however, is the fact that we asked for a table on our balcony and over the entire 5 days they weren't able to find and get one. You could simply take one from another suite that's checking out but for some reason that didn't seem possible. 0 points for checkout because the lady didn't even ask how our stay at Gara Rock has been.
Drove over last night for a relaxed beer at the end of a lovely weekend only to be turned away. Four staff sitting around chatting at the bar and the place is empty but not interested in selling us a drink. As locals we have visited the Gara Rock many times over the years and I would estimate that on half those occasions we have left without being served drinks or food. At some point you just stop going, I really wonder how they are still in business!
Very disappointed with our stay. Our first day of honeymoon. My wife booked our stay as a surprise for me. On check-in the lady was a bit surly. She showed us to our room. When I exclaimed how amazing the room and view was, (I was being very appreciative as it was a treat) the lady went on to say “oh, this is a basic room. Other rooms are much better.” Leaving my wife feeling a bit insulted. Very poor customer-facing skills. We had booked a table for lunch. My wife had requested a window table months before as it was a special occasion. We didn’t get a window unfortunately. The menu was good and we decided to save the sea bass special for our evening meal. In the evening, we again didn’t get a window table. Ready to order we were told the sea bass had run out. Not a problem at all. Instead we ordered a pork chop. 20 mins later we’re told it had run out. We then ordered the fillet steak as we were promised there were two left. Another 20 minutes went by and we were then told that too had run out. The initial girl serving hadn’t the nerve to tell us so they sent a new guy who had only been there a week. He was actually amazing. He was a huge shining positive interaction of our visit. There were also two kiwi girls who were very friendly and professional too. Anyway, for our nice romantic evening there was no meat or fish option; we were left with a choice of pasta, pizza or salad. Ended up having salad and pasta which was nice but a hugely disappointing experience all around. Fell well below our expectations. It wasn’t hugely busy, our seating was at 1900h, most diners were seemingly there with reservations, so there’s clearly a massive problem with stock management. I wouldn’t recommend going. The location is great but it could and should be much better.
Salcombe North Sands
10. Salcombe North Sands
4.6
(608)
Beach
Outdoor Activities
Quiet, sandy cove with estuary views, rock pools & simple eats, largely covered at high tide.
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An amazing beach with a good amount to do. I’d recommend to go during low tide as high tide will limit the amount of area there’s also a lot of seaweed during high tide. Not to mention a really nice place to eat. (We did paddle boarding here which you can rent and it was so fun!!)
Cheap, big parking, half full at Sunday around 11am, perfect place to start walk, close to South Beach and ferry. No caravans. Restaurant where you can order using app, free WiFi, no need waiting to make order.
A beautiful beach with fantastic views which is a must visit if in the area. The roads are quite narrow so be careful on the drive. The parking is also not big enough on a busy day. Another issue is the amenities. There is only one restaurant with a limited menu and no shops nearby.
I don't really recommend this place. Although the beach itself is not to bad but the roads to get there are just a nightmare - twisty and narrow with hundreds of cars parked along all the way to the beach. Closer you want to get the less space you can find. At the bottom there is a small car park, though but completely staffed with cars at all times and paid even on Sundays and bank holidays. One restaurant only near the car park is very expensive and you need to install their phone app beforehand if you want to order something. I was surprised they don't do simple fish and chips. I believe food may be tasty but I resign on that occasion. The very limited space at this beach and overcrowded although it was still before the season were things that really put me off from this place. There is a nice long walk via main street to the town centre where you can enjoy some really nice views of the other side beaches and the pier of Salcombe, but that's about it. Would not go again to this side and South beach isn't any better for the mentioned reasons unfortunately. Very poorly arranged space as for the touristic place. I don't really see many pros about this location. Only the view and cliffs perhaps. But you can find those elsewhere.
Love coming here every time we visit. Great for all ages. If tide is out then kids can play in sand and the water is low so great for paddling.
Beautiful location on a sunny day! Perfect for walks along the coasts with some truly breathtaking views. Car park is available but fills up pretty quickly. This part of Devon is highly recommended to visit.
Great day at North Sands! Sea temperature was good and scenery was a beautiful as ever!
Beautiful on any day difficult when high tide as no beach left to sit on . Has a ferry to Salcombe town center and hire of all paddleboard and kayak rental. Shallow beach so good for kids to paddle but no life guards nearby
Gallery 5
11. Gallery 5
5.0
(7)
Art gallery
Shopping
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We have bought several pieces of Margaret Johnson's glass works of art from this gallery. We absolutely love a design which contains shoals of fish. This Bank Holiday weekend we popped in and were greeted by John in his usual friendly but reserved manner. He is happy for customers to wander around and is very, very helpful. We had previously bought a very large vase and on this occasion he had exactly the same shape in the showroom but in different colours. We bought it and John rang the artist to commission a deep bowl to match. We eagerly await its delivery. I advise anyone to pop in.
I went in yesterday and can’t recommend this place enough. I was greeted by John the owner who was amazing throughout my buying process. The gallery is beautiful with some stunning artwork. A definite place to visit in Salcombe.
Gallery 5 in Island Street, is one of those places that the moment you step inside, you feel a sense of tranquility sweep over you. From the non-intrusive music you hear, to the visual treats displayed before you, together with the genuinely friendly welcome you receive... you will instinctively know this is a place you will feel comfortable and relaxed... simply lingering for a while. There is nothing at all pretentious or intimidating about the space. Likewise, with the wide variety of original artwork, glass art, dramatic photographic originals, ceramics and hand-crafted jewellery on display, you're likely to see something that appeals to both your taste and budget. From exquisitely detailed embroidery pieces, to dramatic seascapes - and check out the stunning lobsters too - this is an exceptional gallery... highly recommended - a must visit destination, that never fails to impress.
This gallery is lovely,beautiful Art work and Glassware for sale.Everything in it was a work of art.This gallery is the best I have ever seen, I could have stayed there a lot longer.
Beautiful space and wonderful array of art
Great gallery, something for everyone....
Rowbury
12. Rowbury
5.0
(7)
Art gallery
Shopping
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Unique Artwork: The gallery showcases a variety of unique and high-quality artwork by local artists. Friendly Atmosphere: Visitors appreciate the welcoming and friendly atmosphere, making it a pleasant place to browse and purchase art. Exceptional Service: Customers have praised the helpful and knowledgeable staff, who are always ready to assist and provide information about the artwork. Well-Packed Artwork: Those who have purchased artwork have noted that it is well-packaged for safe transport.
First came across Rowbury in Dartmouth last summer and had excellent customer service and today had the pleasure to pop into Rowbury in Salcombe and again the most outstanding customer service. Both of the stores/shops are very well curated and inviting. Now I have my beautiful coffee cups from both of my visits to remind me at home of my travels.
Fantastic gallery for affordable high quality art. Great service from a lovely lady who hunted through the stock room for a lobster print to pair with one we had chosen in the gallery
Lovely art gallery. Some nice stuff at reasonable prices.
Went here today and it was absolutely lovely. Dog friendly store and the lady is very knowledgeable and incredibly polite. Bought some Beautiful prints and can't wait to go again!! Worth the visit.
Great little place with lots of affordable pieces that are very stylish. Very helpful and friendly shop assistant
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