Wedding Locations in South Devon

For those thinking about possible wedding locations, they couldn’t do much better than to consider the stunning scenery of south Devon. The region hass a warm communal atmosphere and a rich diversity of options for those considering it as a wedding location. Speak your vows against the backdrop of East Portlemouth’s golden sands in a beachside venue.

Wedding locations in south Devon are set in some of the most breathtaking scenery in the whole of England. From a Salcombe wedding location, one can see out across the Salcombe Estuary to the golden beaches of East Portlemouth and beyond to the wide blue of the English Channel. On a clear day, one can even see as far inland as Dartmoor, calling to mind the nineteenth century Gothic romance of such as novels as “The Thief of Virtue”, “A Book of Dartmoor” and, perhaps most famously, “The Hound of the Baskervilles”.

Salcombe and East Portlemouth are linked across the estuary by a car ferry. Both towns lie within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a region established in 1960 to protect the singular beauty of the area and the rare fauna that reside there (such as the Cirl Bunting and the Greater Horseshoe Bat).

Those choosing to make south Devon the location of their wedding will recieve a warm and interested welcome. Salcombe and East Portlemouth are not large towns and engender a friendly, neighbourly spirit. As a sign of the local communal atmosphere, Salcombe’s Cliff House was left in trust for the benefit of the town’s people and now serves as a home for the Yacht Club and is currently undergoing renovation to make it a cultural and social hub for the local community.

Up until the last century, the local economy relied on the sea and Salcombe still retains much of its fishing village aesthetic. Perhaps surprisingly, most of the beachside buildings are relatively modern constructs, offering all the amenities one might expect. In older days, settlements were built further inland. Although we now think of the sea as being beautiful, in times past it was a dangerous place that brought invaders.

Those seeking a rich history in their wedding location will not be disappointed by south Devon. In 1403, the town was raided by the same French forces who had previously burnt Plymouth. During the English Civil War, Salcombe harbour was the site of a four month stand off as Parliamentarian forces lay siege to the Royalist holdouts holed up in the King’s old sea defences. The town began to develop as a place for holidaymakers between the First and Second World Wars; the visitors attracted by the same stunning scenery that makes the area an ideal wedding location. Today, this exceptional beauty has made it a popular home (or home from home) for celebrities such as sports commentator Steve Rider, comedian and actor Rik Mayall, and Blur and Gorillaz front man Damon Albarn; so anyone choosing south Devon as their wedding location will be in very good company.

South Devon is an ideal wedding location at any time of year. Beautiful scenery, a rich history, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. At the height of summer, Salcombe is a busy tourist town, brought alive by laughter and jollity. Even in colder climes it remains stunning. As the noted nineteenth century historian James Froude said, “Winter in Salcombe is winter only in name”.

Cliff House in Salcombe offers an indvidual service those organising weddings. As well as a stunning backdrop, its proprietors are happy to give advice on caterers, flowers and transport. Book now.

Great wedding locations in Salcombe and south Devon