Out of Focus | Our Location Guide to Salcombe

Salcombe. If you've been, you already know. If you haven't, well, this is your invitation. Nestled at the mouth of the Kingsbridge Estuary, this little harbour town has a way of making you forget the rest of the world exists. It's the kind of place where you leave your car and don't need it again until you go home. You walk to the beach, walk to your boat or the ferry, walk to dinner, walk back to the pub. Everything you need is within 5–10 minutes on foot, and honestly, that's half the magic of it.

Here's everything we love about Salcombe; the spots we keep going back to, the things we wish someone had told us sooner, and a few insider tips we're almost reluctant to share.

Getting Here & Parking

Getting into Salcombe in summer can take a bit of patience- it's worth it, we promise. The easiest option is the Shadycombe car park or the Creek car park for a longer stay, which keeps things simple and avoids the stress of hunting for a space in town. Outside the summer months, you'll find free parking all along Devon Road and even during summer there are a few choice spots available for all day parking towards the top of the road.

Once you're here though, leave the car. You genuinely won't need it. Beach, shops, boats, food — it's all walkable, and that's exactly how Salcombe is meant to be experienced.

Both our Salcombe stores, in Island Street and in Fore Street, have handy one-hour parking bays right outside them, so you can always whiz in to see us!

Coffee, Breakfast, Brunch...

Devon Rum is one of those places that sounds like it shouldn't work as a morning coffee stop, but trust us on this one. We're not sipping rum in our coffee at 8am. What we are doing is sitting out on the gorgeous picnic tables on Island Street, which is an absolute sun trap, watching the town wake up. A proper hidden gem.

If you fancy making a morning of it, The Old Stable on the East Portlemouth side of the estuary is well worth the ferry ride. New ownership has breathed fresh energy into it- it’s got brilliant coffee, stunning views of Salcombe, and if you're feeling brave, there's a sauna and cold plunge on site. The perfect way to start the day.

Wild Oats is relatively new but already a Jam Industries institution. You'll find Anna there most Saturdays picking up her acai bowl, it's that good. A family business with serious gastro credentials (they also run the Gastrobus at Bantham), they do incredible smoothies and granola alongside those famous bowls. Delicious coffee too. Well worth a trot up the hill.

For something a bit more of an adventure, Village Farm Café is a short ferry ride and a beautiful 25-minute walk away. Everything is made on site, incredibly fresh, and the hearty brunch menu has something for everyone. The journey there is honestly half the experience.

Lunch

Salcombe Deli is a must for a proper crab sandwich. Simple, fresh, and exactly what you want after a morning on the water.

The Winking Prawn has been a Salcombe favourite for years, and if this iconic shack looks familiar, yes, it was featured in The Roses movie. Grab a sandwich, a bowl of soup or a pint of prawns and take in the beach views. Their ‘Po Boy’ prawns are not to be missed.

The Gara Rock hotel is worth the trip for the views alone. Set high above the coast with panoramic outlooks over the different coves including its own tiny beach. Lunch here feels like a proper occasion.  There’s usually an outdoor bbq going on as well as delicious woodfired pizzas on the menu.

Bakeries, Delis & Treats

The Bake House  You'll know them by the queue for their famous jam doughnuts and cheese twists. Don't even try to walk past without stopping. We swear their pastries and baguettes are better than some you get in France.

The Posh Hamper Co. is perfect if you're putting together a picnic or want to take something special home. Everything you'd want and then some.

And then there's Salcombe Dairy. The ice cream here is genuinely exceptional and the factory itself is right opposite our Island St store. Classic flavours done brilliantly, but keep an eye out for specials like banoffee or their legendary Salcombe Mud. Mandatory.

Best Picnic Spots

Sunny Cove  is one of those places that feels like a proper secret. You can only reach it by boat or a ferry-and-walk combination, which keeps it beautifully quiet. It’s the perfect place to experience Salcombe’s iconic golden sand and turquoise water. Pack a bacon sandwich, bring a BBQ if you can, and stay until the evening- it's magic.

Or better yet, hire a boat. Whitestrand Boat Hire can sort you out, and pottering around the estuary with a picnic on board is one of the best things you can do in Salcombe, full stop. The water is so calm, and you'll discover little spots you'd never find on foot.

 Dinner- Our Favourite Restaurants

Salcombe Coffee Company (known as Bistro 73 by evening) is Mark and Anna's favourite, and that tells you everything you need to know. It does something brilliant: by day it's a buzzing coffee shop; by night it transforms into a low-lit, cosy Mediterranean-style restaurant with excellent pasta and seafood. Family run, genuinely wonderful. Fair warning: booking is essential, and Anna has never once ordered anything other than the seafood linguini. At this point we don't know why she even looks at the menu.

The Crab Shed is an icon. Conveniently around the corner from our Island Street shop, family-run, and serving the freshest seafood you'll find anywhere. Sit outside when the sun's out, watch the fishing boats come and go, and order the crab linguini. Or the crab sandwich. Or, and we cannot stress this enough,the crabby fries. All of the above if you can manage it.

Primo is your spot for pizza and good times. The terrace is massive and gorgeous, looking straight out over the water; there's nowhere better on a sunny evening. Get the tater tots, put hot honey on your pizza, order a cocktail. They're always busy but do takeaway if you can't get a table.

Drinks & Pubs

The Millbrook Inn holds a very special place in our hearts as a team. There's something pretty extraordinary about going to the pub by boat; the cruise up the creek, the sunsets on the way, drinks in hand. The timing of any boat trip to the Millbrook is dictated by the tides, which makes it feel even more of an occasion. That said, you can also walk or drive round, so there's no excuse for missing out. Lovely restaurant too.

The Kings Arms (KA)  Nothing beats a pint on that terrace in the sunshine. It's a prime spot and we will fight anyone who says otherwise.

Devon Rum pulls double duty in this guide for good reason. In the summer, Thursday and Saturday nights mean live music, excellent cocktails, and some of the best people-watching in town. The huge open frontage makes it feel like the whole street is part of the party. Brilliant vibes, every time.

Views & Sunsets

For sunsets, head to Bolberry Down. This is a Jam Industries secret (or it was). The skies go from pink to orange to something almost unreal. It feels panoramic in every direction, and in late summer you might even spot tuna out at sea. This is where we do our photo shoots for a reason.

The Beach House or Rock Box at South Milton Sands is another stunning sunset spot, with great food too, whether you go for the Rock Box for pizza or the Beach House for seafood.

For views of Salcombe itself, cross on the ferry and look back from the East Portlemouth ramp. Seeing the whole town from the water, with the estuary opening up behind you — it's one of those moments. And that first glimpse as you drive down the hill into town? You'll know you've arrived somewhere special.

Walks We Love

Gara Rock take the ferry over from Whitestrand to East Portlemouth, follow the coast path with panoramic views across the coves, and when you reach Gara Rock look out towards the open ocean. Secluded, dramatic, and well worth the effort.

Snapes Point is a shorter, equally rewarding walk with incredible estuary views. Perfect if you want something a bit gentler.

South Sands to Overbecks is a classic walk. the National Trust garden at Overbecks is a genuinely lovely place to end up, and the walk there along the coast is beautiful.

On the Water

Salcombe is a water sports paradise. Surf at Bantham (one of the best beach breaks in South Devon), paddleboard on the calm estuary, or get out sailing. However you get on the water, just get on it.

Events Worth Knowing About...

• Crabfest — a celebration of all things crab. Enough said. This kicks off the big summer season, taking place during the first weekend of May
• Regatta Week - when the town comes alive. The racing on the water, the atmosphere on shore, all the different activities from the harbour swim to incredible fireworks. It's brilliant. 25th July to 1st August this year.
• Salcombe Live live music across the town, just as we wind down for autumn. A great reason to visit in itself.

When to Visit

Every season has something to offer in Salcombe, and we mean that. Summer is buzzing- the streets and bars full, lots of happy faces, a real holiday energy. If you want peace and good weather, May and September are our favourite months: fewer crowds, still warm, and the town feels like it belongs to the people who really love it. Winter is its own kind of magic- cosy pubs with wood fires, long coastal walks, and Salcombe at its most quietly beautiful.

Insider Tips (the stuff we wish someone had told us)

• Know your tide times. Seriously. If you're heading to the Millbrook by boat, check before you go, or you might find yourself stranded in a very pleasant but inconvenient way.
• Don't miss the last ferry home. A lesson learned the hard way by at least one member of the Jam team.
• The Walkers Hut at East Soar Devon at its finest, featuring an honesty system for cream teas, cakes and drinks. Discover it yourself.
• Seagulls. Treat them like badly behaved dogs. Don't leave food unattended, don't make eye contact, and don't underestimate them.
• The little beaches on the coast path- you'll find them as you walk. No signposts, no crowds. Those are the ones. 

Dogs Welcome

Salcombe is extremely dog-friendly, and your four-legged team members are welcome pretty much everywhere, including both our stores of course. North Sands and South Sands are both great spots, and the estuary walks are perfect for a good run around.

If you've got a Salcombe recommendation we haven't mentioned, we want to know. Find us in store or drop us a message - we take our local knowledge very seriously.