Shepherd's huts near Salcombe
A southern English beach resort town with coastal camping and national parks nearby.
- Salcombe
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Shepherd's huts near Salcombe guide
Overview
Salcombe, on Devon’s southern coast, has been a popular beachside resort for over 200 years. The pretty harbour and estuary are a scenic backdrop for days spent on the beach, swimming, kayaking, boating, and surfing. Situated within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and near other beautiful natural spots in Devon, Salcombe offers many good reasons to take a break from the beach and head inland, too. Campers get a taste of everything South Devon is famous for, with a range of options from well-equipped caravan parks to quiet tent spots and farm stays.
Things to do in Salcombe
- In Salcombe, campers can spend hours on the quayside in town, watching the boats come and go while enjoying an ice cream or trying crabbing.
- Salcombe’s high street mixes independent shops with bigger-name boutiques, art galleries, and eateries where you can try the latest catch.
- Visit in April for the town’s annual Crab Fest or in August for its regatta.
- Don’t miss your chance to take to the water, whether kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, or taking a cruise of the estuary.
- If you want a day on the beach, head to North or South Sands, a couple of miles out of town.
- Overbeck, the former home of scientist and inventor Otto Overbeck, is on the outskirts of Salcombe with a tea room, museum, subtropical gardens, and unbeatable views of the surrounding area.
- The South West Coast Path offers excellent coastal walking if you need to stretch the legs near Salcombe. Nearby Prawle Point is a great place to head for, as it’s Devon’s southernmost point.
- Dartmoor National Park is 30 minutes’ drive from Salcombe with almost endless ways to explore.
- For a fun-packed family day out, Woodlands Farm Theme Park mixes a chance to meet farmyard animals with rides and activities for young kids.
Where to go
South Devon AONB
Salcombe is within the South Devon AONB, which stretches along the coast between Plymouth and the River Dart. The attractive, protected area is renowned for its sandy beaches, rugged coastline, estuaries, patchwork farmland, and historic villages. Coastal walking trails and ferries link some towns, essential for walkers wanting to cross some of the estuaries. Salcombe is an ideal base for campers wanting to explore the AONB.
Dartmoor National Park
This large area of wild, open moorland, rare wildlife, and deep river valleys is a must-visit place for outdoor enthusiasts wanting a rugged adventure. Backpack camping is allowed in some areas of open moorland for one or two nights as part of long-distance walking expeditions, but this must be done out of sight or settlements or roads, and campers must follow Leave No Trace principles. Parking your campervan or caravan overnight isn’t allowed within Dartmoor National Park. There are designated sites for motorhomes.
Bodmin Moor AONB
Northwest of Salcombe and over the border in Cornwall, the large granite moorland of Bodmin Moor contains some of Cornwall’s highest peaks. Once densely populated in the Bronze Age, the bleak, heather-covered moorland contains archaeological sites today. It’s also still used as a grazing site for livestock. A highway runs through the moor, so it’s easy to visit on a day trip from Salcombe. Hiking and cycling trails through the area make camping closer to Bodmin Moor worthwhile.
When to go
As a beachside resort town, Salcombe is best visited in summer. The weather will usually be warm, relatively dry, and the days long—ideal for tent or caravan camping. Outside of summer, opt for cabin or cottage accommodation around Salcombe instead. Because of Salcombe’s southern location, some of the outdoor attractions nearby can be enjoyed beyond the summer, too.
