With pristine sandy beaches, stunning coastline and a picturesque harbour, the Devon coastal town of Salcombe is one of the most beautiful holiday spots in the UK.

Salcombe is situated in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), providing more than enough to see and do, whether you enjoy relaxing, exploring or getting active with a wide variety of water sports.

If you’re looking to book a holiday in South Devon next year, we’ve rounded up 6 of the best reasons why you should visit Salcombe in 2020. 

1. Discover Salcombe’s treasures at Overbeck's Museum and Garden

Re-opening in February 2020, Overbeck’s Museum and Garden is a hidden subtropical paradise.

Managed by the National Trust, Overbeck’s is tucked away in a hidden spot on Salcombe’s cliffs and offers breath-taking views of the estuary and coast.

Discover a range of exotic fauna and flora before heading inside the home of Otto Overbeck - the scientist and inventor who the museum is named after.

The house and gardens are open from 8th February to 1st November 2020, daily from 11am to 5pm.

2. Celebrate the area at the Salcombe Town Regatta

Due to take place from the 1st - 8th August 2020, the Salcombe Town Regatta is a week-long celebration located in the town and harbour, bringing together live music, delicious local food, sailing races, air displays and an amazing fireworks display to spectacularly round the event off.

The Salcombe Regatta has something of a carnival feel about it and is perfect for families looking to embrace the friendly hospitality of Salcombe and its local residents. 

3. Discover new ways to enjoy crab at Salcombe Crab Festival 

Every year, Salcombe plays host to Salcombe Crab Festival (or CrabFest as it’s affectionately known by locals), where you can enjoy demonstrations from award-winning chefs, crab-picking masterclasses, live music and fun kids’ activities.

You’ll also be able to sample some of the freshest crab from the area, all hand-caught by local fishermen to ensure the most delicious flavours.

Crab Fest will next take place on Sunday 3rd May 2020, so don’t miss out on finding out more about these decapod crustaceans if you're holidaying in the area!

4. Enjoy the calm Salcombe waters with a spot of sailing

Whatever time of year you choose to visit, sailing is one of the most popular water sports in Salcombe with both holidaymakers and locals, so why not make the most of the town’s beautiful coastline by heading to the Salcombe Dinghy Sailing centre?

Whether you’re looking to rent out a dinghy for the day or learn a new skill by indulging in some lessons, sailing is the perfect pastime to really understand what the town’s all about.

This RYA accredited Training Centre offers RYA Dinghy Sailing Courses, taster sessions and private tuition for adults and children alike.

5. Spend the day exploring Pennywell Farm

Open from 15th Feb - 1st November 2020 (plus a few select dates over Christmas), Pennywell Farm in Lower Dean, Buckfastleigh is the perfect spot for a family day out.

From bottle feeding baby animals to meeting the famous miniature piglets, children will love discovering more about the many creatures that live on the farm.

There’s also daily entertainment and live shows to enjoy, and if it rains, you can head inside to the indoor play area to escape the bad weather. 

6. Sample delicious Salcombe seafood at The Crab Shed

Love seafood? Then don’t go to Salcombe in 2020 without giving The Crab Shed a try.

Described as “a vibrant seafood restaurant near The Fish Quay in the heart of Salcombe, Devon”, the Crab Shed is perched right on the water’s edge and home to some of the freshest seafood in the area.

Expect to find fish, shellfish and 100% hand-picked crab meat from boats that fish out from Salcombe harbour each day.

The restaurant’s terrace offers wonderful al fresco dining on a warm day, where you can enjoy the views of the beautiful Salcombe estuary in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. 

Looking to rent a holiday cottage in the Salcombe area?

If reading this blog has encouraged you to come and explore south Devon and its wonderful coastline for yourself, then why not consider booking a self-catering holiday cottage in the Salcombe area?

Holiday Cottage Compare has a wide selection of holiday cottages to rent in the Salcombe area, from luxury apartments right in the town itself, overlooking the estuary to larger, three floor houses on the outskirts of Salcombe, perfect for big groups.

Whatever you are looking for, we will have something to meet your requirements.

You can either browse our easy to use website or simple get in touch via our free concierge service and let us find the perfect holiday cottage for you.

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