Perched on the edge of the Kingsbridge Estuary – technically a ria, a drowned river valley – Salcombe is a picturesque seaside town in South Devon with a seafaring heritage that runs as deep as its turquoise waters. With golden beaches, sheltered coves, and panoramic coastal views, it’s easy to see why Salcombe has become one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the UK. But beyond the yachts and ice creams lies a rich and storied past shaped by fishing, shipbuilding, smuggling, and maritime adventure.

Salcombe’s origins stretch back millennia. Archaeological discoveries, including Bronze Age shipwrecks off its coast, have yielded tools, weapons, and gold jewelry dating back over 3,000 years. These finds reveal that the area was part of active cross-channel trade as far back as 1200–1000 BC, making Salcombe’s waters some of the most historically significant in Britain for ancient seafaring.

The town’s name first appeared in written records in 1244, though it remained a relatively small settlement for centuries, overshadowed by neighboring communities. Its natural harbour, however, brought increasing prominence in the medieval period, offering safe anchorage for mariners.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, Salcombe had come into its own as a centre for boatbuilding and maritime trade. The town became renowned for its fast, sleek fruit schooners – sailing ships built to import oranges, bananas, and other tropical produce from the Azores and West Indies. These vessels, crafted by Salcombe’s skilled shipwrights, were designed for speed to ensure cargo arrived fresh, and they became a symbol of the town’s maritime ingenuity.

Fishing was another pillar of the local economy. Pilchards, crabs, and mackerel were caught in abundance, with fish cellars and smokehouses bustling along the waterfront. Smuggling, too, played a notable role in Salcombe’s history, as the secluded coves and inlets provided ideal cover for illicit trade—a common feature along the Devon coast in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Salcombe was not untouched by conflict. During World War II, it served as an embarkation point for American troops preparing for D-Day. Evidence of this military history still lingers in and around the town, particularly on nearby beaches and cliffs once used for training exercises.

As traditional industries declined, Salcombe gradually reinvented itself as a holiday haven. Visitors had been drawn to the area since the late 1700s, with grand houses built on the cliffs and foreshore to take advantage of the views. The arrival of the railway at Kingsbridge in 1893, and later motor bus connections, made Salcombe more accessible, accelerating its transformation into a resort. From the mid-20th century onwards, its scenic beauty, mild climate, and sheltered beaches attracted artists, writers, and holidaymakers from across the UK. Today, boutique shops, gourmet restaurants, and water-based activities cater to visitors seeking a slice of luxury by the sea.

Despite its transformation, Salcombe has retained its charm and close connection to the water. The Salcombe Maritime Museum preserves this proud nautical heritage, while the town’s popular regatta and crab-fishing competitions keep traditions alive.

Whether you’re wandering its narrow lanes, watching boats drift by from the quayside, or hiking the dramatic coastal paths nearby, Salcombe offers a rich blend of past and present. It’s a town shaped by salt air and sailcloth, now shining as one of the jewels of the South Hams.