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The Little Blue Book: A Romantic Winter Escape to Salcombe
An elegant, insider’s guide for a truly romantic Winter coastal escape in Salcombe
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Empty beaches, long lunches by the fire and evenings with nowhere else to be.
There are some places that simply lend themselves to romance, and Salcombe in winter is one of them. The estuary is still and silver, the fires are lit in the pubs, and the light is soft and low all day. It is the season for wrapping up warm, walking for miles and coming home to a log burner and a bottle of something good.
Whether it's a weekend away before Christmas, a quiet start to the new year or a Valentine's escape, this is our Little Blue Book guide to Salcombe for two, winter edition.
My perfect winter day for two
From Harriet, founder of Taylor Made Salcombe
If I had one winter day in Salcombe with my husband, this is how it would go.
Early morning: a slow start. Coffee in bed, the estuary just outside the window.
Breakfast: warm pastries from the Bakehouse, eaten on the beach at North Sands ... another coffee..and a morning dip in the sea if you are that way inlclined.
Late morning: the ferry across to East Portlemouth and a walk along the beaches and the coast path aroud the headland, the sea a deep winter blue below.
Lunch: a long, lazy one at the South Sands , by the fire, with views over the beach.
Afternoon: a browse of the Fore Street shops, particularly WNU and the galleries, then home for a long soak in the bath and a Salcombe Gin & Tonic
Evening: dinner for two at the Rockfish, then a nightcap at home by the fire.
Hytti, Sleeps 2
Harriet's insider tips
Book dinner, even in winter. Some of the best restaurants open fewer nights through the quieter months, so it's worth securing your table before you arrive.
Bring a flask. A hot drink at the top of Bolt Head, with the whole coastline laid out in front of you, is one of the most romantic moments Salcombe has to offer.
My favourite: a frosty morning walk on an empty beach, a hot coffee and warm croissant to follow.
Slow mornings together
Winter mornings here are made for lingering. Let the light come up over the water, put the coffee on and stay under the blankets a little longer.
When you're ready, wrap up and walk into town for something warm from the Bakehouse, then the ferry over to the other side, where the beach is often entirely empty on a winter's morning.
Winter beaches for two
North Sands and South Sands. Wide, quiet and beautiful in the low winter light. A stroll from one to the other along the road is a lovely way to start the day.
Mill Bay. Take the ferry across to East Portlemouth and you'll find one of the loveliest beaches in the South Hams, almost always empty in winter. [check: winter ferry times]
Sunny Cove. Reached through woodland along the coast path from Mill Bay, and wonderfully secluded at this time of year. Check the tide before you go.
Thurlestone and South Milton Sands. A short drive away, with big skies and wide sands that feel wild and elemental in winter.
Restaurants for two
The Crab Shed. Relaxed, intimate and right by the water, serving beautifully fresh local seafood.
Rockfish. On the harbour, with the boats bobbing outside. Perfect for a long lunch of fish and a glass of something cold.
The Jetty at Salcombe Harbour Hotel. Elegant, with views over the estuary. Ideal for a special dinner, especially as the lights come up across the water.
South Sands Hotel. Right on the beach at the mouth of the estuary. A beautiful setting for lunch on a crisp, bright winter's day.
Dick & Wills. Cosy and buzzy on Fore Street, with estuary views and a good cocktail list.
The Millbrook Inn, South Pool. A 17th-century pub by a tidal creek. The fire, the food and the setting make it our favourite winter lunch.
Experiences for two
A private chef at home. Our in-house catering brings dinner to you: a three-course meal served at your own table, with the fire lit and no need to go out into the cold.
A winter sea swim. A bracing dip at North Sands, wrapped up in robes afterwards with a flask of hot chocolate. Exhilarating, and a story to tell. [check: add a local wood-fired sauna if one is open in winter]
An in-home massage. We can arrange a therapist to come to you, so you can simply drift off to bed afterwards.
A spa afternoon. The Harbour Hotel spa makes a lovely retreat on a wet or windy day. [check: availability for non-residents]
A boat trip on the estuary. On a calm, clear winter's day, the water is still and the wooded banks reflected in it. Wrap up warm and take a flask.
Boutique shopping
Salcombe's independent shops are a pleasure in winter, with plenty of time to browse.
Will Bees. Beautiful handmade bags and gifts.
Nika. One of our favourite independents for something nice to wear
Brocante. Vintage and antique finds.
Tonic Gallery. Art and design from local makers.
JAM Industries. Salcombe's own brand, still at home on Island Street. A matching jumper each is entirely acceptable.
WNU. The best for womens shirts.
The Salcombe Clothing Company. Classic menswear.
Winter walks for two
Salcombe to Snapes Point. A gentle loop of about 3.5 miles from Batson, past thatched cottages and the old lime kiln on the creek. At the top, find a bench and take in the best view of Salcombe from anywhere: the harbour, the creeks and the town stacked up the hill. Perfect for a slow morning together.
Bolt Head. Out past North and South Sands, up through the woods and onto the headland. The views across the coast are magnificent on a clear winter's day.
East Portlemouth to Gara Rock. Take the ferry across, follow the coast path past Mill Bay and Sunny Cove, and stop for a warming drink or a relaxed lunch at Gara Rock before heading back.
South Sands to North Sands. Short, flat and lovely at any time of day, with the estuary beside you all the way. Perfect for an after-dinner stroll.
Where to stay
Hytti, Lower Batson. Sleeps 2. Our cabin for two on Batson Creek, with a log burner, a freestanding copper bath and the still water just beyond the window. It was made for exactly this kind of escape.
Hygge, Cliff Road. Sleeps 4. Light-filled, with panoramic estuary views and a terrace above the water. Hygge is the Danish word for cosiness, and in winter it lives up to its name.
4 The Reach, South Sands. Sleeps 4. A high-spec apartment within the Harbour Beach Club, just steps from the sand, with a private balcony and sea views. You have the independence of your own home, with the hotel’s spa, pool and gym on hand for a slow, pampered afternoon when the weather turns.
Hygge, Sleeps 4
A winter cocktail for two
As the light fades, mix something warming with a local spirit, made at your leisure in one of our Taylor Made Salcombe holiday homes, with the fire lit and nowhere else to be.
The Fireside, with Salcombe Gin
50ml Salcombe Gin
20ml fresh lemon juice
15ml honey syrup (honey loosened with a splash of warm water)
2 dashes of orange bitters
A twist of lemon peel and a sprig of rosemary, to garnish
Shake the gin, lemon, honey syrup and bitters hard with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe and finish with the lemon twist and rosemary. Make two.
Stay with us this winter
That's what a winter escape for two in Salcombe is all about: slowing down, together, in one of the most beautiful places in the country. Our Taylor Made Salcombe homes are made for exactly that, with every detail taken care of before you arrive.
Winter stays are available now, with short breaks on many of our homes. Find your winter escape for two.
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