North & South Sands, Salcombe's Hidden Gems

Just how far has North Sands come in the last 2 to 3 years! South Sands has always been the nicer of the 2 "sands" with its golden beach and smart hotels, but just lately North Sands has really come to the party.

The Winking Prawn is one of my favourite places in Salcombe. The outside food is great and the summer BBQ is unbeatable! If the sun is out this is the place to be for food, beer or a coffee. The kids love the dressing up box and the huge beach at low tide, whilst the adults can relax knowing their kids are pretty much as safe as they can be anywhere these days. There is a green for balls sports and tennis facilities behind the WP.

One noticeable recent change are the houses overlooking North Sands; Sand Hills Road has always been up market and pricey but the once dowdy North Sands now has some amazing properties including one of Salcombe's finest; the large and well designed wooden/glass combo sat proudly behind The Winking Prawn boasts some amazing views and sits sympathetically within its surroundings. Rumour has it that this build was originally commissioned by the guy who ran off with Robert Maxwell's pension fund...or something like that?!!?!?

There is a burgeoning water sports scene and you can even get a half decent surf at North Sands or if you are brave and the conditions are right you can paddle out to The Bar where the waves really jack up if there is a nice low sitting over The Atlantic/English Channel, SUP's are also a common sight in summer. Messing around in the surf on a kayak is also great fun.

If you want a quieter beach then Splat's Cove is only a short walk and a bit further along the coast path you can access Starehole Bay beaches at low tide. For the more energetic there is a great run from Bolt Head to Bolberry and back along the old coach road to Malborough finishing with a great off road section bringing you down the bridal path into the back of North Sands.

If you take what North Sands has to offer and the look at South Sands with it's superb water sports school, great new hotel and the lovely beach then it's a hard place to trump when the sun is out. If I was a visitor I would ditch town and it's overcrowded streets for the calm serenity of the North/South Sands oasis. There are some great summer rental properties at all levels of budget.

It's even great in winter when you can watch the waves crashing over the beach wall when the SW gales blow in.

Salcombe just gets better ad better!