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Salcombe sits on the steep western slope of the Kingsbridge Estuary, though the water here is technically a ria - a valley flooded by rising sea levels at the end of the last ice age. This geographical fluke provides a deep-water harbour protected from the worst of the Atlantic swells, which historically made it a hub for the fruit trade and shipbuilding. Today, the town is defined by its narrow, winding streets and a climate noticeably milder than the rest of Devon, allowing palm trees and citrus to grow in the gardens along Cliff Road. Life here is dictated by the tides; when the water retreats, it reveals extensive sandbars like the Bar, which can make the harbour entrance tricky for inexperienced sailors. While the summer months bring a dense crowd of yachts and visitors, the winter reveals the practical backbone of the town - a place where the fishing industry still operates out of the quay and the precarious, hilly topography means most locals rely more on a sturdy pair of walking boots or a small boat than a car to get around.