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Rainy Day Activities in Salcombe (A Family Survival Guide)
- Harriet Taylor
- Dec 1, 2025
- 6 min read
As much as we all cross our fingers for sunshine, we do live in Britain — and a rainy day in Salcombe is almost inevitable at some point. The good news is that it doesn’t have to feel like a disappointed compromise. With a little gentle planning (and somewhere warm and comfortable to come back to), rainy day activities in Salcombe can be some of the nicest, slowest moments of your holiday.
If you’re here with children, the question isn’t romantic — it’s practical:“Right then, what shall we actually do today?”
So here’s a calm, family-friendly guide to Salcombe with kids when it rains. Nothing frantic, nothing overly scheduled — just a handful of ideas that work properly, even when the weather doesn’t.
1. Begin with the Salcombe Maritime Museum (small, charming, and genuinely interesting)
f you only do one indoor thing in town, make it this. The Salcombe Maritime Museum sits beneath the Tourist Information Centre in the Old Council Hall on Market Street. It’s a little treasure chest of model boats, local sea stories, photographs and oddities — with enough to keep children curious, but not so much that anyone starts wilting.
Why it’s ideal on a rainy morning
It’s the perfect size for families — engaging without being a slog.
It feels very local, and you come out knowing Salcombe a bit better.
You’re right in the centre afterwards, so lunch is an easy next step
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Small tip: ask the children to choose their favourite object and explain why. It’s a lovely way to keep them involved, and you’ll be surprised what sticks.
2. Take the opportunity for a slow café morning (hot chocolate = instant morale)
Salcombe does rainy-day cosiness beautifully. When the weather turns, the town slips into a softer rhythm: warm windows, good coffee, a slightly smug sense of being on holiday while everyone else is at work.
Make it simple:
Pick a café, warm up, share something sweet.
If the rain persists, wander on for a second stop.
Let everyone “review” their hot chocolate/cake/pastry out of ten.
It sounds faintly ridiculous, but it works. Children love a bit of ceremony, and adults get to sit down for five minutes with something decent.
3. Grab the weather window and head outside (because a little fresh air fixes everything)
Even on wet days, Salcombe often gives you a break in the clouds. When it does, take it. A bit of fresh air makes the rest of the day feel cosier by comparison.
A very good in-between-showers walk is down to North Sands. It’s manageable with children, sheltered enough to be pleasant, and wonderfully atmospheric when the sea is steel-grey and the sand is shining.
And if you need a convincing incentive for small legs? Finish at The Winking Prawn for chips, something warm, and a proper little seaside treat before you wander back.
Other short “rainy but worth it” strolls:
A gentle loop around the harbour for boat-spotting.
A quick viewpoint wander for blustery sea-watching.
Puddle-hunting and pebble collecting, which children take very seriously.
Then head home before everyone tips from “rosy-cheeked” into “damp and whiny”.
4. Crabbing in the harbour (a Salcombe classic)
Crabbing is one of those old-fashioned holiday pleasures that never fails. It’s simple, mildly exciting, and completely absorbing for children.
All you need is a bucket, a crabbing line, a bit of bait, and a safe spot to perch. Within minutes it turns into a proper competition: who’s caught the biggest one, who’s the bravest, who’s naming theirs the most ridiculous thing.
Little tip: keep it kind and low-stakes — catch and release, lots of cheering for tiny crabs, and everyone wins.
5. Take the ferry across the estuary (a little bit bumpy, in the best way)
On breezier, wetter days, the short ferry trips across the estuary can feel like a small adventure in their own right. The crossings over to East Portlemouth or South Sands are often a touch wavier and bouncier when the weather is unsettled — just enough to make it exciting for children, without feeling alarming.
Wrap everyone up, hold on, and enjoy the slightly splashy, windswept crossing. There’s something rather satisfying about bobbing across the water under grey skies, looking back at Salcombe tucked into the hillside.
For children, it turns a simple A-to-B journey into a proper story:“Do you remember that wobbly boat ride when the waves came over the side?”
Parent bonus: it burns off a bit of nervous energy and gives you all a change of scene, without committing to a full day out.
6. If it’s really tipping down, head a little further afield
When the rain properly sets in, it’s worth having one indoor day out up your sleeve. A short drive gives you a few very reliable options:
Woodlands (near Dartmouth) – always a safe bet for a full family day, whatever the weather.
South Devon Railway steam train from Buckfastleigh to Totnes – warm, charming, and easy to pair with lunch in Totnes.
Clip ’n Climb, Plymouth – colourful indoor climbing that works for a wide age range.
Supertramp, Plymouth – a guaranteed energy-burner when everyone needs to bounce it out.
Much easier to decide in advance than in the moment, with damp children circling the kitchen.
7. Make your holiday home earn its keep
Rainy days are exactly why an all-season base matters. These are the times you’re grateful for a warm sitting room, somewhere to dry coats, and enough space for children to spread out without climbing the walls.
Comforting, low-effort ideas:
A film afternoon with snacks on trays.
Board games or cards (short rounds tend to work best).
A simple baking session — even ready-made dough feels special on holiday.
Storm-watching from the sofa with blankets and hot drinks.
If you’re staying somewhere designed for all weathers, rain feels like a change of gear rather than a problem.
8. The quiet bits that make rainy days oddly lovely
This is the part people forget: rainy days are often when families relax the most.
A long, unhurried lunch.
A gentle potter around shops without summer crowds.
An early bath and pyjamas, followed by a slow supper in.
A proper book for you, while they build a holiday den out of cushions.
You’re not “losing a beach day”. You’re getting the sort of soft, unpressured holiday day that’s hard to create at home.
A simple rainy-day plan (if you’d like one ready-made)
Morning: Maritime Museum, then a café stop
Midday: weather-window walk to North Sands + Winking Prawn
Afternoon: crabbing in the harbour, then a breezy ferry trip if everyone’s keen
If it’s torrential: Clip ’n Climb / Supertramp in Plymouth, or the Buckfastleigh–Totnes steam train (with lunch in Totnes)
Evening: back home for films, games, and something cosy
No overthinking. No frantic entertaining. Just a different — and often surprisingly good — Salcombe day.
FAQs: Rainy day Salcombe
What are the best rainy day activities in Salcombe with kids?The Maritime Museum, a café morning, crabbing in the harbour, and a breezy ferry ride are all easy, low-stress options in town.
Is Salcombe worth visiting in bad weather?Yes — Salcombe is lovely year-round. Rain simply changes the pace, and the town has plenty to do if you plan lightly.
Are there indoor activities in Salcombe?The Salcombe Maritime Museum is the main indoor attraction in town, and nearby Plymouth or Totnes offer bigger indoor options for a full day out.
What’s a good wet-weather day trip from Salcombe?Clip ’n Climb or Supertramp in Plymouth are excellent for energetic children, and the Buckfastleigh to Totnes steam train is a calmer, very pretty alternative.
Salcombe in the rain is still Salcombe: a little misty, a little wild, and wonderfully restorative if you let it be. And if you’d like your stay to feel easy whatever the forecast, choose a home that’s genuinely set up for every season.
👉 Family properties to suit all seasons
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