What is Salcombe like these days?

[BlueSkyNick]

Some years ago, there was a trend to slag the place off on a regular basis, particularly harbour fees.

My only experiences have been overnight rests on passage to/fro places further west.

Thinking of stopping in for 2-3 days later in June as part of our summer cruise.

 

[Chrusty 1]

Some years ago, there was a trend to slag the place off on a regular basis, particularly harbour fees.

My only experiences have been overnight rests on passage to/fro places further west.

Thinking of stopping in for 2-3 days later in June as part of our summer cruise.

I got nothing good to say about the place, so I wont say anything.

 

[robertj]

I got nothing good to say about the place, so I wont say anything.

Go on, there is always something good about everywhere.

 

[Chrusty 1]

Go on, there is always something good about everywhere.

Um well, let me see now....................................sorry, wont keep you a minute..............................................................................................You still there?? I'll just put you on hold for a few moments, sorry haven't got any nice music I can play you while you wait...................................Click!!.zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[sighmoon]

People who slag it off have never been to Thurrock. Seriously though; what's not to like?

We were there last year, with no preconceptions, and loved it. Admittedly, the weather was gorgeous which always helps. Our rafting neighbours were good company and added to the fun. Kids loved the beach. Wives (only one was mine, thankfully) loved the town. I enjoyed rowing them about in the dinghy.

Yeah, it's a lot of money to share a buoy, but it's nice to not go into a marina, and still have some company and a shower.

 

[prv]

I've spent a night in Salcombe on three occasions, three to six years ago. Always in mid to late September. Certainly at that time there was nothing to object to. No doubt we paid a fee for the mooring, but I don't remember doing so so it can't have been excessive. We always used water taxis (one of which is the ferry to the sailing club) to get ashore as the dinghy on the boat we chartered was a bit pathetic and it's a relatively long slog from the moorings. Showers in the sailing club up the hill were fairly basic but I can't say that bothers me.

Based on my experiences, I quite like the place.

Pete

 

[SimbaDog]

Nice scenery & lots of boaty goings on to look at, fees this year are £1.85 per metre per day. Water Taxi not exactly cheap (VHF12) but it can sometimes be tricky to find a dinghy spot in high season.
It gets very busy, you can expect to raft up! The main visitor moorings off the town can get quite exciting in a blow with wind against tide, more shelter further up in the bag, but it's then further to town!
No decent supermarket any more, shops are mainly touristy but there is a butchers & a greengrocers.
Awful lot of holiday home tourists with their summer boats (mainly ribs)!
Yacht club does welcome visitors & has showers, were £1 last time.
We still like visiting Salcombe

 

[robertj]

Um well, let me see now....................................sorry, wont keep you a minute..............................................................................................You still there?? I'll just put you on hold for a few moments, sorry haven't got any nice music I can play you while you wait...................................Click!!.zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

There must be something, surely one good point?

 

[RichardS]

There must be something, surely one good point?

You're certainly a glutton for punishment Robert!

Good luck with this one!

Richard

 

[Ripster]

We were there last year for 3-4 days in June, had a great time. we took a buoy round in the bag and dinghied about. There are lots of places to explore, even got as far as Kingsbridge on the Dink. It is a bit pricey and touristy, but there is a chandlery or two and some boat yards. Best to book for pub based sit down meals on the waterfront.

Overall, we like it, but we have own facilities and didn't need to hunt down the showers.

Still very much worth a visit IMO.

 

[photodog]

If your looking for a bit of peace and quiet then anchor off of Halwell point up past the bag... There is a good spot to land ashore there, and some nice walks. If you have a good tender its ok into town... Otherwise it can be difficult to encourage the taxi all that way out... You can also use the facilties on the icc ship... But they are a lot more basic than the yacht club ashore....

If you like it exciting then raft up off the town... Its sometimes possible to get assigned a bouy thatis not being used by the owner.. In our experience usually high up the bag... But we quite liked the anchorage off Halwell... There is a little stoney beach so a bbq ashore is possible.

Prices now no worse than anyplace else in my experience...


Just to be clear...the next bit is a general bit of advice for the west country cruise...


Make sure you get up to ditsham... There are a couple of great visitors bouys just below agatha christies place just upstream from the anchor stone which are sublime on a summers eve... One of my favorite spots...

 

[john_morris_uk]

I have complained about Salcombe in the past, but they seem to have put their house in order judging by our previous couple of visits. The staff were friendly and helpful and didn't come asking for money as soon as we picked up the buoy. I happen to think that the water taxi prices are on the high side, but the guys got to make a living and as we have a dinghy on davits we just use that anyway!

I remember having a long chat to the harbourmaster's assistant or secretary a couple of years ago when I was there refereeing a rugby match. They were certainly aware of the bad reputation they were getting but the council set the mooring fees and the local councilors don't sail so they think all yachtsmen are filthy rich - and related to all the people who have bought up the waterfront properties. She said that the harbourmaster argues strongly against their practice and from my experiences and others comments it seems that his arguments might be getting through.

 

[benjenbav]

Some years ago, there was a trend to slag the place off on a regular basis, particularly harbour fees.

My only experiences have been overnight rests on passage to/fro places further west.

Thinking of stopping in for 2-3 days later in June as part of our summer cruise.

Well, having read the article on Salcombe in MBM this month, Mrs b was keen to visit. So what I would really appreciate is a whole load of people on here to say how everything is overpriced and awful so that we can go there and get a bit of peace and quiet.

 

[clyst]

If your looking for a bit of peace and quiet then anchor off of Halwell point up past the bag... There is a good spot to land ashore there, and some nice walks. If you have a good tender its ok into town... Otherwise it can be difficult to encourage the taxi all that way out... You can also use the facilties on the icc ship... But they are a lot more basic than the yacht club ashore....

If you like it exciting then raft up off the town... Its sometimes possible to get assigned a bouy thatis not being used by the owner.. In our experience usually high up the bag... But we quite liked the anchorage off Halwell... There is a little stoney beach so a bbq ashore is possible.

Prices now no worse than anyplace else in my experience...

Make sure you get up to ditsham... There are a couple of great visitors bouys just below agatha christies place just upstream from the anchor stone which are sublime on a summers eve... One of my favorite spots...

You have been away for too long . Dittisham ? I think you are getting your Salcombes and Dartmuffs mixed up doggy

BTW how is the muddy water up there ??

 

[Cookee]

Make sure you get up to ditsham... There are a couple of great visitors bouys just below agatha christies place just upstream from the anchor stone which are sublime on a summers eve... One of my favorite spots...

I think you'll find you'll need to be in Dartmouth to get up to Dittisham!

I live in Salcombe and will be happy to answer any specific questions. It's probably the quietest I have known it since I started coming here in the early sixties and I have lived here for 18 years now, so the town will only be busy in the school holidays, the rest of the time it's not too bad or even quiet! Pubs and restaurants are all good - There is a good choice and whilst nothing will trouble Mr Michelin for a star you can get good meals with a view - Dick and Wills and the Galley are great for dinner and the Winking Prawn at North Sands is worth a visit at any time of day, the same people have got a place in Island street now (Island Street Bar and Grill) which is brilliant if you like cocktails and a lively atmosphere with live music.

Looks like Clyst beat me to it!

 

[Ricd]

I get dragged to Salcombe a couple of time a year when kids (old kids) are on board. They love the shopping!!!!!! You know the place has another name..Chelsea on Sea.
Having said all of that it is a nice place to go October to April.

 

[camman]

You can buy a book of 20 tickets for £20 for the water taxi - £1 a trip, is that cheaper that elsewhere?

 

[prv]

You can buy a book of 20 tickets for £20 for the water taxi - £1 a trip, is that cheaper that elsewhere?

Pound a trip is good value, but most people stopping for one night won't use twenty trips. Cruising the West Country we generally used to go ashore exactly once in each place, for showers (where available) followed by pub.

Pete

 

[photodog]

I think you'll find you'll need to be in Dartmouth to get up to Dittisham!

I live in Salcombe and will be happy to answer any specific questions. It's probably the quietest I have known it since I started coming here in the early sixties and I have lived here for 18 years now, so the town will only be busy in the school holidays, the rest of the time it's not too bad or even quiet! Pubs and restaurants are all good - There is a good choice and whilst nothing will trouble Mr Michelin for a star you can get good meals with a view - Dick and Wills and the Galley are great for dinner and the Winking Prawn at North Sands is worth a visit at any time of day, the same people have got a place in Island street now (Island Street Bar and Grill) which is brilliant if you like cocktails and a lively atmosphere with live music.

Looks like Clyst beat me to it!

It was a general tip for his westcountry cruise....

I am not that much of a idiot....

 

[YachtAllegro]

Not been to Salcombe for about ten years. But when I used to have a bilge keeler based in Plymouth I remember enjoyable nights spent in Frogmore Creek, drying out at low water, proper Westcountry river feel - mudbanks, trees and fields, and not another soul around. The harbourmaster didn't seem to come up there either!

Happy days - those tree-lined rivers are one thing we do lack here on the West coast of Scotland, for all its other attractions.

Cheers
Patrick