Harbourfield - holiday cottages in SALCOMBE

Harbourfield sits on Herbert Rd in the pretty town of Salcombe, England, a traditional semi-detached house that sleeps up to eight people (maximum of five adults). The address - Crossways, Herbert Rd, Salcombe TQ8 8HS - gives away its convenience: a short, brisk walk into Salcombe town and the harbour, with steep lanes that keep visitors fit and alert. The property mixes vintage character with everyday comforts - think Nespresso coffee, Freeview HD TV, DVD player, and WiFi broadband - and practicalities such as night storage heaters and hot water by immersion.

Layout and sleeping

Four bedrooms: 1 x king-size, 1 x double with en suite shower room, 1 x single, and a second-floor bunk room with an extra single. There is a family bathroom plus a cloakroom downstairs, and the house is set up for family life with a kitchen/dining room and a comfortable lounge. Bed linen and bath towels are supplied - bring beach towels.

Kitchen and utilities

A fully equipped kitchen includes fridge/freezer, hob, oven, dishwasher, microwave and a washing machine in the garage. The Aga is out of action pending conversion to electric over winter 2024, so the usual Aga charm is paused for now. There is parking for one car or two small ones on the drive, and the garage may be available on request for extra parking.

Outside space

Two decking areas - lower and upper - both furnished with tables and chairs, plus a small front garden. Smoking anywhere on the property is strictly prohibited and candles or BBQs are not allowed.

Salcombe rewards small-adventure seekers and relaxed sunbathers alike. Launch a dinghy or join a sailing trip from the harbour, explore South West Coast Path walks with cliff-top views, or laze on nearby sandy beaches. There are paddleboarding and kayaking options, local boat trips, outdoor swimming pools and family-friendly pubs. The steep walk back to Harbourfield from town is a regular subject of conversation - bring sensible shoes.

Harbourfield is less than a ten-minute walk to Salcombe town centre where cafes, independent shops and seafood restaurants cluster around the estuary. Nearby points of interest in Salcombe, Devon include The Crab Shed and waterside eateries. The postcode TQ8 8HS places the cottage within easy reach of other South Hams attractions, including Dartmouth and Kingsbridge by short drives or local transport.

Public buses link Salcombe with surrounding towns, though many guests find a car useful for exploring the South Hams. Harbourfield offers a driveway and optional garage parking - handy in a town where on-street parking can be scarce. The location in Salcombe makes short walks to shops and the harbour practical, but uphill returns can be steep.

Maximum of five adults per booking, even though the property sleeps up to eight people including children. Strict no smoking policy throughout the house, garden and decking, and no candles or BBQs. The Aga is unavailable until its electric conversion is complete. Guests need to bring beach towels. Night storage heaters provide warmth, and hot water runs off immersion heating.

• Maximum adults: 5
• No smoking inside house, garden or decking
• No candles or BBQs
• Bring beach towels; bed linen and bath towels supplied
• Garage parking by request

Guest feedback for Harbourfield paints a largely positive picture, with recurring praise for space, location and family-friendly features. Alexandra (Aug 2025) rated the stay 5/5 and highlighted that the house was "much nicer than the photos showed", noting the handy downstairs loo and views from the top bedroom and upper decking. Nicole (Oct 2024, 5/5) and Christine (Jun 2024, 5/5) both emphasised the property's convenience as a base for exploring Salcombe and enjoying family time; Nicole specifically mentioned the table tennis as a hit. Several guests praised the location - Heather (Jul 2024, 4/5) and Geraldine (Jun 2025, 4/5) called out the short walk into Salcombe town, while Geraldine warned the return walk is steep and may require rests.

Parking is a frequently mentioned positive and pain point. Ashley (Aug 2025, 4/5) appreciated having a driveway - a "super bonus" in a town where parking is tight - but warned the space is narrow for larger cars. Heather and several others echoed this: fine for small cars but tricky for big vehicles. Cleanliness and maintenance appear mostly satisfactory: many reviewers, including Tim (Aug 2022, 4/5) and Sally (Dec 2021, 5/5), praised the house's character and recent redecorations. However, Helen (Aug 2023, 3/5) and an earlier Helen (Jun 2023, 4/5) raised concerns about cleanliness and functioning fixtures - a women’s shaver left in a shower and problems with an en-suite shower were noted, which suggests occasional lapses in housekeeping or maintenance.

Recurring positives - space for families, well-equipped kitchen, sunny decking and quiet location with views - are strongly supported by multiple 4 and 5 star reviews. Recurring negatives - steep access back up to the property, tight driveway, occasional cleanliness or small maintenance issues - are genuine and may affect less mobile guests or those with large cars. Overall ratings cluster around 4/5, pointing to a reliable family retreat with a few manageable caveats.

Harbourfield, located in Salcombe, Devon, feels like a classic South Hams family house - roomy, lively and well placed for seaside holidays. The layout works for mixed-age groups: a king bedroom, a double with an en suite, a single room and a bunks room with an extra single provide flexibility. The downstairs cloakroom and kitchen/dining room make family logistics easier, and the selection of DVDs, board games and a table tennis table keeps everyone entertained on wetter days. Visitors often mention the upper decking and top-bedroom views as highlights for morning coffee or evening drinks.

Practical features are solid: WiFi broadband, dishwasher, washing machine (in the garage), fridge/freezer and microwave tick the everyday boxes. The presence of night storage heaters and immersion hot water is typical for the region, though the Aga being out of action until its conversion to electric is a temporary downside for guests who book expecting that particular charm. Parking is available on the drive for one car or two small cars, and a garage can sometimes be arranged. For travellers arriving with larger vehicles, Ashley's August 2025 note about a tight driveway is worth heeding.

Location-wise, the cottage is a short walk into Salcombe town and harbour, putting restaurants, shops and boat trips within easy reach. The walk back up is steep - Geraldine (Jun 2025) and others mention it - so those with mobility issues should consider that when booking. The property sits within the lively coastal scene of TQ8 8HS, ideal for beach days, coastal walks and local seafood. Families with children will appreciate space and entertainment options, while couples or groups wanting easy harbour access will find it convenient.

On balance, Harbourfield is a warm, characterful holiday home with sensible facilities and a few honest limitations. Multiple guests praised cleanliness, space and location - Alexandra (Aug 2025) and Nicole (Oct 2024) stand out with 5-star praise - while occasional complaints about cleanliness and minor maintenance (Helen, Aug 2023) and the steep return walk are legitimate considerations. For families and groups who prioritise space, proximity to Salcombe town and classic coastal charm, Harbourfield represents good value at the listed price. For those needing flat-level access or generous parking for large cars, it may not be ideal.