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The Little Blue Book: Salcombe Before Christmas
Twinkling lights along Fore Street, a lobster pot tree on Customs Quay and a fire waiting at the end of every walk. Here are our favourite ways to spend the weeks before Christmas in Salcombe.
North Sands, Salcombe
The run-up to Christmas is one of our favourite times of year. The lights go up along Fore Street, the lobster pot tree appears on Customs Quay, and on a frosty morning the estuary is as still as glass. There's a warmth to the town in December that's hard to find anywhere else.
It is also the perfect moment to get away before the festivities begin. A romantic break for two, a friendmas with your favourite people, or a few calm days with the family before the Christmas rush. This is our Little Blue Book guide to the season.
My perfect pre-Christmas day in Salcombe
If I had one December day to spend in Salcombe, this is how it would go.
Early morning: a coffee from the Pantry and something warm from the Bakehouse.
Morning walk: along Cliff Road to North Sands for a frosty walk, with the beach all to yourself.
Late morning: Christmas shopping along Fore Street. JAM for knitwear and WNU for shirts, Posh Hamper for the foodies, and Cranch's for stocking fillers.
Lunch: by the fire at the Kings Arms, or at South Sands Hotel, looking out over the beach.
Afternoon: the walk out to Bolt Head. Or, if the tide is out, take the ferry across to East Portlemouth for a stroll along the beaches and foreshore in the last of the day's sun.
Evening: the Christmas lights along Fore Street, a glass of mulled wine, then home to a house with the fire already lit.
Harriet's insider tips
See the lights from Customs Quay. Head there after dark, when the lobster pot Christmas tree is reflected in the harbour, and see how many of the decorated boats you can spot.
Catch the Christmas lights switch-on. If you're lucky enough to be here for it, there are free mince pies from the Bakehouse and complimentary mulled wine or hot chocolate. 1 December 2026
Be on East Portlemouths's beaches in the late afternoon. You get the last of the winter sun there, and the light is golden and gorgeous against the beach.
My favourite: getting up early morning to see the estuary. There is something about it in winter, with no boats on the water and that glassy stillness, that is just magical.
Lobster Pot Christmas Tree, Salcombe
Why go before Christmas
December is busy. Parties, presents, lists and travel. A few days in Salcombe beforehand feel like a gift to yourself.
It is also when our homes are at their best value. Most of our houses have availability through November and December, and short breaks are possible on many of them, so a long weekend or a midweek escape is easy to arrange.
For couples. Long walks, longer lunches and evenings by the fire. Hytti, our cabin on Batson Creek, has a log burner and a freestanding copper bath, and was made for exactly this.
For friends. One big table, a festive feast and a house that sleeps everyone. See our Little Blue Book guide to a friendmas by the sea. [
For families. Crabbing on the quay with cold fingers, beach walks in wellies and hot chocolate afterwards. A few calm days together before the Christmas whirl.
Christmas shopping, the Salcombe way
Salcombe's independent shops are a joy in December, full of gifts you won't find on the high street.
JAM Industries. Salcombe's own brand, still at home on Island Street. Easy knitwear and sweatshirts that make a lovely present.
Aubin. Classic British clothing and good knitwear on Fore Street. Ideal for the person who is hard to buy for.
Posh Hamper. Cheese, charcuterie and the little luxuries that make a foodie very happy on Christmas morning. Plus some lovely gifts inspired by the coast.
Cranch's. Devon's oldest sweet shop, with jars of butterscotch, humbugs and pear drops. The perfect stocking filler.
Nika, WNU and Apparel. Three of our favourite independents for something a little different.
Salcombe Candle Company. Hand-poured candles that bring a little of the coast home with you. A lovely gift, and lovely to light by the fire while you're here.
Kitty Ward Pottery. Beautiful handmade pieces, each one completely unique different. A gift to keep for years.
Salcombe Gin. A bottle of something local from the distillery on Island Street, for the gin lover in your life.
What's on in the run-up to Christmas
Salcombe Christmas Market at Cliff House. A wonderful Christmas market filled with local makers, gifts, food, drink and seasonal treats in a beautiful waterfront setting. Friday 27 November
The Salcombe Lantern Parade. Handmade lanterns winding through the streets after dark. One of the loveliest evenings of the season, and magical for children. Saturday 28th November, 16.00 - 18.00
The Christmas lights switch-on. The moment Salcombe turns properly festive, with late-night shopping, music and the lights glowing along Fore Street. Tuesday 1 December at 18.00
Christmas wreath making. Make your own wreath to take home and hang on the door, at Susie Watson Designs on Island Street on Friday 4 December, or at Village Farm, East Portlemouth, on Wednesday 9 December.
Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas. A short drive away, with stalls, festive food and music. Satursday 5 December 2026
Father Christmas Comes to Salcombe!Organised by Salcombe Rotary, Santa will start at Ember Road and finish at Rockfish, travelling through town spreading festive cheer and Christmas magic along the way. Wednesday 16 Dec 2026, 17.30–19.00
The Bay of Lights, Brixham. An illuminated trail around the harbour, running from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
The Train of Lights, Dartmouth Steam Railway. Vintage carriages and illuminated displays along the line. Magical for children, and secretly for grown-ups too. 27 November 2026 to 30 December 2027
The cosiest pubs for a winter's evening
The Victoria Inn. An open fire, good food and a friendly welcome. Dogs are welcome too, and there are festive events through December.
The Kings Arms. A Grade II listed favourite in the heart of town, with a snug upstairs for evenings when the weather closes in.
The Millbrook Inn, South Pool. A 17th-century pub by a tidal creek. Time your visit with the tide and settle in by the fire.
Let us do the cooking
If you would rather not spend your break at the stove, our private catering is the easiest way to make it feel special. A festive afternoon tea after a bracing walk, or a three-course dinner, plated or served as a generous sharing feast. Always made with the best seasonal produce from the South Hams.
A pre-Christmas cocktail
As the light fades, mix something festive 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 Harbour Lights, with Salcombe Gin
50ml Salcombe Gin
25ml cranberry juice
15ml fresh orange juice
10ml honey syrup (honey loosened with a splash of warm water)
Chilled sparkling wine, to top
A twist of orange peel, to garnish
Shake the gin, cranberry, orange and honey syrup with ice. Strain into a coupe, top with sparkling wine and finish with the orange twist.
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