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Salcombe

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Distance from Cottage Hotel: 5 miles / 8 kilometres (13 minutes by car)

Walking/public transport: The easier route when walking is via Bolberry and the lanes near Soar (6 miles/9.5 km). The coast path around Bolt Tail and Bolt Head is at least 8 miles (13 km) and involves much more climbing.

The beautiful town of Salcombe is only 5 miles/8 kilometres away from the Cottage Hotel in Hope Cove and lies within the South Devon "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". If you, your family or friends are visiting Salcombe in the near future for occasions such as a wedding, viewing properties or a business trip we would like to offer you accommodation at the Cottage Hotel or Tanfield Bed and Breakfast in Hope Cove.

History of Salcombe

Salcombe first appears in the record books in 1244 on the boundaries of Batson and West Portlemouth.

The ruins of Fort Charles, the remains are towards the south side of the town. During the English Civil War Salcombe sided with the Royalists and it held out against the Roundheads from January to May 1646 and was the last Royalists stronghold. The Fort was built by Henry VIII to defend the estuary.

Salcombe is a beautiful town and resort situated on the Kingsbridge estuary in the South Hams district of Devon and lies within the South Devon "Area of outstanding Natural Beauty". The Salcombe and Kingsbridge Estuary lies between Bolt Head and Sharpitor to the west and Portlemouth Down to the east, and runs inland for 6 kilometres. Towards the mouth of the estuary is the 'Bar', a spit of sand protruding from the east bank and exposed at low spring tides. It is possible that Lord Tennyson's poem "Crossing the Bar" was inspired by a visit in the 19th century to Salcombe:

"Sunset and evening star and one clear call for me
And may there be no moaning of the bar when I put out to sea."

Between the two World Wars, Salcombe developed into a holiday resort and the Salcombe Sailing Club was founded in 1922.

In September 1943 Salcombe became the Advance Amphibious Base for the United States Navy and the Salcombe Hotel was requisitioned and became its headquarters.

On the East side of the estuary are a number of popular beaches: Sunny Cove, Small's Cove and Fisherman's Cove. Adjacent to Fisherman's Cove is a landing slip used by the ferry which goes from Ferryman's Inn, Salcombe directly across the estuary. The beaches are ideal especially for the 'Bucket and Spade Brigade' where they can paddle, swim or even go rock-pooling.

Salcombe is extremely active during the summer months for sailing. Salcombe Yacht Club hosts the Club Regatta every August, attracting up to 400 dinghies in 10 or more dinghy classes and it runs consecutively with the Salcombe Town Regatta. The premier dinghy class in Salcombe if the Salcombe Yawl.

Due to its popularity such as sailing and yachting Salcombe has the highest property prices in the U.K. outside of central London (after Sandbanks, Poole).

Many of the shops, bars and restaurants in the town cater for predominantly well-off, fashionable and nautically-inclined clientele.

Because of the narrow streets and the priority given to pedestrians, a park and ride scheme operates during the summer from the outskirts of Salcombe. Near Salcombe primary school is a swimming pool. The rugby club is a centre of activities during the winter. A locally-flavoured pantomime is put on near Christmas.

Shops to visit:

Fat Face, Seasalt, Crew Clothing. Amelia's Attic. Cranches Original Sweetshop, all to be found in Fore Street the mainshopping area.

Places to visit:

Overbecks has a wonderful sub-tropical garden, planted by Otto Overbeck in the 20s and 30s with rare and tender plants thriving in the South Devon climate the views from the garden over-looking Salcombe Estuary are spectacular. The Museum, in the Edwardian house, has an admirable collection of furniture plus local material about shipwrecks and shipbuilding.

Links

Salcombe website RAC Route Planner Route from Hotel

Location

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