Whistlefish Comes To Salcombe
We are so excited to be opening the next new Whistlefish gallery in the iconic seaside town of Salcombe. Tucked away on the southern coast of Devon, this stunning town is one of Devon’s most-loved holiday destinations.
This Devonshire harbour town is situated on the banks of Salcombe Estuary and features pristine sandy beaches, beautiful turquoise waters and an abundance of traditional seafood shacks. Salcombe is one of the prettiest towns in South Devon, and with its picture-postcard harbour, award winning restaurants, pastel-coloured hoses and its very own microclimate, it is easy to see why so many people find Salcombe to be the perfect setting for a holiday.
There’s a myriad of things to do in Salcombe, whether its enjoying a relaxing boat trip along the estuary, a thrilling surfing lesson, a day out in a local museum or a fun morning, building sandcastles with the kids. These are all complemented by all the fabulous shops that make line the seafront, of which we are thrilled to soon be part of.
The golden sands and azure waters of its surrounding beaches make Salcombe a paradise for water sports and the town has become famous as a sailing destination. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on dry land, the surrounding countryside in South Hams offers a variety of places to explore, from going for a walk and enjoying a picnic to visiting Totnes Castle or The South Devon Railway. This abundance of activities makes Salcombe an ideal holiday destination for families and a great place to create memories with your loved ones at any time of year.
High Water Salcombe Print by John Wilson
The Bar
Towards the mouth of the estuary is the Bar, a spit of sand protruding from the east bank which is exposed at low spring tides. This spit, combined with strong southerly winds, can make the entrance to the estuary dangerous and is believed to be the inspiration behind Lord Tennyson’s famous poem “Crossing the Bar”.
Beaches
Further into the estuary on the east side you will find a series of popular sandy beaches, namely Sunny Cove, the large Mill Bay, Cable Cove – aptly named as the landing point of a cross-channel cable, Small Cover and Fisherman’s Cove.
Opposite the Bar on the west side of the estuary are the beaches of South Sands and North Sands. South Sands beach has been awarded the coveted Blue Flag Beach status, which ensures you get an excellent standard of cleanliness and water quality when bathing there.
North of North Sands Salcombe town begins, occupying the steep west side of the estuary opposite the beaches and East Portlemouth and extending north and west into the first of the estuary's many creeks: Batson Creek by Snapes Point. Others, including Southpool Creek and Frogmore Creek, branch off to the east and north east, while the main channel continues to Kingsbridge itself.
Salcombe Sailing Regatta
Salcombe Yacht Club hosts the Salcombe Yacht Club Regatta every August, attracting up to 400 dinghies in 10 or more dinghy classes plus handicap fleets. The Salcombe Yawls take pride of place as they were all designed and built in Salcombe using traditional boatbuilding techniques. The sailing regatta classes include: Fast & Asymmetric Handicap, RS200, Medium Handicap, Enterprise, Larks, Laser Standard, Laser Radial, Topper, Junior Handicap, National Twelve, Salcombe Yawls, Solos and Cruisers.
Salcombe Town Regatta
The Salcombe Regatta is one of the biggest annual events in South Devon, running for a whole week and attracting enthusiastic crowds of holidaymakers and locals alike. As well as a host of sailing-related events and air displays, there’s plenty to occupy everyone. Kids, for example, love the crab catching competition and fancy dress parade.
We are opening our new Salcombe gallery at the end of March at 75 Fore Street in the centre of the town. We can't wait to welcome you all to the latest Whistlefish gallery and become immersed in this historic South Devon town.
