Salcombe harbour on the south coast of Devon

© Devon and Cornwall Photography/Getty Image

Summer in Salcombe. Sandcastles and sailing boats

Now here's a location to add to your bucket (and spade) list. Tucked away on the south coast of Devon, Salcombe is one of England's iconic seaside towns, renowned for its picture-postcard harbour, sun-soaked beaches, rolling hills and breathtaking coastal views. With its estuary location, Salcombe is also a paradise for water sports and famous sailing destination. If you want to keep your feet dry, there are plenty of independent shops to browse and beachside cafes to visit, where you can sit back and relax with a delightful Devon cream tea (jam on top in this part of the South West). At this time of year, the town's atmosphere is buzzing as the winter population of about 2,000 swells to more than 10 times that amount in summer months, when tourists flock here for the fairs, regattas and festivals. You might even spot a famous face or two – Salcombe’s celebrity residents include the likes of Mary Berry, Sir Michael Parkinson, Kate Bush and members of Led Zeppelin.