Short answer: Salcombe on 1 January is the opposite of Salcombe in August — second homes dark, Fore Street walkable, parking first time. The Fortescue Inn is the local's choice and the most reliable out of season.
The estuary path out of town. Flat for a good stretch, with the water beside you and the hills opposite — the best easy walk here, and it does not need a clear head.
For beaches: North Sands is closest by road, South Sands is sheltered, and Mill Bay on the East Portlemouth side is the best of the three.
Bolberry Down, a short drive away, has a wheelchair-accessible main clifftop path and is free with a blue badge — rare on this coast.
The estuary is far more sheltered than the open coast, which makes Salcombe one of the kinder places in the South Hams for a New Year's dip. South Sands and Mill Bay are the two people use.
Watch the boat channel and the tide running through the estuary mouth — it moves faster than it looks.
Almost everywhere opens later than usual on New Year's Day, and some places do not open at all. Ring in the morning rather than assuming.
The North Sands machine takes coins and the signal is poor. Parking is far easier than in summer, but the payment problem does not change.
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