A day trip or holiday by the Devon seaside is the perfect way to spend quality time with your family and there are loads of activities in Salcombe to keep babies and toddlers entertained on your doorstep. In fact, there are so many, whittling it down to a list of the top 10 baby and toddler friendly things to do in Salcombe was a difficult task! Without further ado, here they are:
1. Make sandcastles at North Sands
We’re pretty blessed where we are, to have miles on end of beautiful coastline and taking advantage of our seaside setting is perfect fodder for a day out with the tots. North Sands is just one of many places where you can go, enjoy the spectacular Devon coastline and of course, build a sandcastle or two. Making sandcastles is a perfectly simple, cheap but wonderfully entertaining activity that will help toddlers and babies alike use up some of their boundless energy. North Sands is also home to The Winking Prawn where you can find all day food and drink (plus a sandpit!)
2. Eat an Ice Cream at Salcombe Dairy
Ice cream has universal appeal, meaning all the family can enjoy the activity! But if you’re going on a walk, you’re going to need something to bribe the toddlers with and there’s no better golden carrot to keep them going than ice cream. When you’re in the area, there is only one place to get your ice-cream – Salcombe Dairy. Their honeycomb flavour isn’t award-winning for nothing and Salcombe Mud (Chocolate and Cookies) will satisfy any sweet tooth too. Delicious!
3. Go Rock pooling on Limebury Beach
On the hunt for marine creatures, there’s no better way than keeping the kids entertained for hours on end. Limebury beach has lots of rocky coves to explore and discover the sea life that lives under all the nooks and crannies. One tip: bring a clear bucket or box filled with seawater to put the creature in to have a closer look at. It doesn’t disturb the animal as much as you would holding it and you can see from all angles.
4. Go on the South Sands Ferry and Sea Tractor
This is a journey with a difference. A journey that ends up with arriving at the beautiful South Sands beach no less. The South Sands Ferry and Sea Tractor entails a ferry ride along the beautiful coastline before a sea tractor meets the ferry out at sea, collects its passengers and rides them up the beach. An experience to be had by all and just imagine the look on the kids’ faces when they realise that they not only experience a ferry ride but get to go on a tractor too!
5. Have fun in the playground
There are two playgrounds in Salcombe – one in the centre of town and easily accessible from the high street (simply walk up the hill from Coleman’s Butcher and take the first left onto Courtnenay Street) with a climbing frame, slide and see-saw. The second is at the top of town but perfect to combine with a visit to the swimming pool. Here you can find a very cool playground even with a death slide!
6. Have a dip at Salcombe Swimming Pool
There is an outdoor heated swimming pool open during the summer months in Salcombe. And when we say heated we mean heated! No shivering in this swimming pool making it perfect for babies and toddlers and guaranteed fun for all the family. During term time, it’s only open to the public after school hours so maybe it could be a nice way to round off the day?
7. Victoria Inn Secret Garden
Not only is Victoria Inn a great little pub that offers delicious pub grub in a quaint setting but behind it lies its (not-so) secret garden along with sun terraces, outdoor seating, play area and the resident chickens and budgies. Babies and toddlers alike will love seeing the chickens and the pub also provides toys, books and pens. So even when the weather isn’t cooperating, you can keep the kids engaged whilst enjoying a pub meal.
8. Paddle in the sea
The kids may as well give into temptation and your baby can have its first taste of the sea by dipping his or her toes in. You can easily keep an eye on the kids as well as let them to roam free, as long as they don’t wade in too far.
9. Overbecks Gardens
The National Trust always come up trumps for family getaways and nearby to Salcombe, Overbecks Gardens will keep the toddlers enthralled, and subtropical gardens, full of palm and olive trees and banana plants will have you thinking you’re in sunnier climes. You can even walk along the coast from East Soars Car Park (just over a mile away) and enjoy the spectacular views before arriving at Overbecks.
10. The Art Café in Kingsbridge
OK, not technically in Salcombe but it’s worth a mention. The Art Café in Kingsbridge provides an educational activity that is fun at the time where you can paint your own pottery. You can even get an unforgettable keepsake of your child’s hand or foot print, meaning that the day will be remembered for years to come.
To think that’s just the top 10 activities for toddlers and babies in Salcombe, it makes you wonder what else you can do with the children whilst you’re here! Salcombe’s seaside setting makes it the perfect destination for babies and toddlers so book your Salcombe getaway now with Salcombe Finest.
