Wednesday 27 June 2012

Travel Guide: Salcombe, Devon

I have just returned from a rather lovely break in Salcombe, Devon.  It was a complete wash out with lots of rainy days which prompted many a log fire burning in our barn in the chilly evenings!  Not what you really expect in June, but hey ho, we made the most of it.  Therefore, I cannot give you a run down of all the stunning beaches as I only managed to visit a mere few!


North Sands, Salcombe


North Sands is a rustic cove with a small beach which was full of surfers when I visited.  It has a great beach front cafe called The Winking Prawn, this casual eatery is a must if you like a good quality summer BBQ.  


Blackpool Sands was by far my most favourite of beaches in the area.  With the countryside literally rolling in to the sea, and thatched cottages along the coast line (one was painted in pink and was the most stunning beach retreat imaginable), it was idyllic to say the least.  It was cold, drizzling and windy when I stood on this pebbly beach at dusk, yet it was still breathtakingly gorgeous and peaceful.  I just wanted to stumble back to one of the cottages all windswept to light a fire.   
Blackpool Sands, Devon.  In the sunshine!


It in intermittent dry spells, we managed to do a bit of shopping in Salcombe, where there are some great home ware shops and lots of interesting boutiques.  The Salcombe Trading Company has some great finds if you like a nautical look in your home.  Also, Jack Wills first ever shop was, and still is, in Salcombe along with lots of other boaty brands like Crew, Musto and Henry Lloyd.  The array of shops certainly kept myself, and my credit card, occupied for many hours, and was a great distraction from the rain! 

We also went on a few boat rides, which are a must in Salcombe to get you from place to place to avoid an extremely long-winded car journey.  I was completely surprised that my little westie Maggie loved the sea air and being on board - she is known as being a complete wimp, so you could imagine our surprise!


Dartmouth, Devon
Of course lots of eating was carried out...cream teas, hot chocolates and crab sandwiches.  When in Rome and all that! 


Take Away Chips and Thai Fish Cakes 

The Salcombe Sands Boutique Hotel has just had a refurb and is in the tranquil setting of South Sands, which is just a short boat trip to the buzz of Salcombe town.  It has a great restaurant and afternoon tea selection.  I highly recommend a visit and a sit on these fabulous Lloyd Loom chairs...and what a view from the restaurant!  When the sun shines you could easily feel like you are on the Cotes d'Azur. 








The Crabshell Inn, Kingsbridge, Devon. 


My favourite restaurant that we visited on my trip was The Crabshell Inn in Kingsbridge.  I fabulously relaxed quayside bar, come restaurant, with incredible views.  Unfortunately for us it was (of course) raining so we couldn't take advantage of the outdoor restaurant, but instead managed second best with a table by the window with amazing views over the water.  I was in a complete daydream with the idyllic setting, imagining living in the perfect water front house which was just in my line of sight.  It was a nautical themed white and blue cottage, and rather dreamily had a matching white and blue boat moored on the bank.  Bliss!  


View from the restaurant - the perfect water front house with nautical blue and white theme

Matching boats


Now, to the food!  The menu had a vast array of seafood dishes as you would expect, but also accommodated the non fish lovers too.  I opted for the mussels in a white wine sauce, which were divine, with crusty warm bread and of course an obligatory side order of very thin fries!   









Mussels at The Crabshell Inn
The interior is simple, wooden tables, minimal accessories, definitely beach shack chic!  The music was a fantastic mix, and really complemented the evening perfectly. 


I definitely recommend a visit if you are in the area.  


If you have any recommendations of things to see, places to go, restaurants to visit in the Salcombe area please let us know, as I'm sure I'll be going back soon for more south coast adventures.  

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