Holiday cottages near Bantham, campsites by Bigbury Bay, B&Bs in Salcombe — the best places to base yourself for a South Hams surf, sail or walking holiday.
Live surf, sailing, fishing and tide forecasts updated every 20 minutes — so you can plan your days around the conditions.
South Devon holiday cottages near Bantham are among the most sought-after in England — and it's easy to see why. Bantham Beach is just minutes from a cluster of beautiful National Trust-managed cottages and farmhouses dotted through the South Hams lanes. Most South Devon holiday cottages in this area sleep 4–10 and are marketed on Airbnb, Sykes Cottages, Holiday Cottages and Canopy & Stars. Peak weeks in July and August book out 6–12 months in advance, so plan ahead if you want a Bantham holiday cottage. Spring and autumn weeks are available with much shorter lead times and often represent exceptional value.
Bigbury holiday accommodation ranges from cliff-top apartments at Bigbury-on-Sea with direct views of Burgh Island to farm cottages a mile or two inland in the South Hams countryside. Bigbury-on-Sea itself has a small cluster of holiday properties above the beach — these get heavily booked, particularly for summer weeks. The village has a surf shop, café and beach shop at the car park but is otherwise quiet — pack supplies from Kingsbridge (10 minutes away) or Modbury.
South Devon holiday lets in Salcombe command a premium — the town's reputation as one of England's most beautiful sailing destinations makes it among the priciest holiday rental markets in Devon. Salcombe holiday lets range from harbour-view apartments sleeping 2 to large waterfront houses that can accommodate 10–12. The surrounding South Hams offers better value with similar access to the estuary and coast. Kingsbridge, 7 miles north of Salcombe at the head of the estuary, is increasingly popular as a base — lower prices, good local amenities and easy access to the South Hams beaches.
For a South Devon holiday, the sweet spots are the shoulder seasons: May to mid-June (wildflowers, quiet beaches, good surf potential) and September to October (warm sea, autumn light, significantly cheaper). The South West Coast Path runs through the entire area — even a 3-night South Devon break can include spectacular coastal walking. For surf holidays in South Devon, stay within cycling distance of Bantham and time your visit for the autumn swell season (September–November).
For a surf holiday in South Devon, stay as close to Bantham as possible. Properties in Bantham village, Thurlestone or South Milton are ideal — all within 5 minutes of Bantham Beach. Bigbury-on-Sea is also good, sitting above the beach on the south side of the bay. Avoid staying in Salcombe for a surf holiday as it's 30–40 minutes from Bantham with limited parking.
For July and August weeks, book 6–12 months ahead — the best South Devon holiday cottages near Bantham and Bigbury sell out quickly. For May, June, September and October, 3–4 months ahead is usually sufficient. Last-minute South Devon holiday lets occasionally appear but availability is limited in popular areas.
Yes — many South Devon holiday cottages near Bantham and throughout the South Hams accept dogs. Bantham Beach itself has year-round dog access (leads required near the car park). Bigbury-on-Sea and the coast path are excellent for dog walking. Search Sykes Cottages or Holidaycottages.co.uk filtering for pet-friendly properties in South Devon.
Yes — Kingsbridge holiday lets are typically 30–50% cheaper than equivalent Salcombe properties. Kingsbridge is 7 miles north of Salcombe at the head of the Kingsbridge Estuary, with easy access to the coast and good local shops, restaurants and services. For families and groups who don't need to be right in Salcombe, Kingsbridge is excellent value for a South Devon holiday.