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Devon, England

Batson Creek slipway

LaunchA concrete slipway at Batson Quay, with an adjoining launch-and-recovery pontoon for access across the tide; the harbour authority does not allow berthing on the pontoon.
ParkingThe Creek car park is immediately adjacent, pay and display or PayByPhone (location code 810456), long stay up to 10 hours; some bays there are reserved for resident permit holders only.
AccessAll craft launching here, including paddleboards, kayaks and canoes, must display a valid Salcombe Harbour Dues sticker and be named and insured for at least £3,000,000 third-party liability.
SeasonThe Creek car park's high-season tariff runs from 25 March to 31 October, with a lower tariff the rest of the year. Summer brings sailing regattas and dinghy racing to the harbour, including the Salcombe Town Regatta and the Salcombe Gin SYC Regatta.
RegulationsSalcombe Harbour Authority regulates the estuary under byelaws made under the Pier and Harbour Order (Salcombe) Confirmation Act 1954 and the Harbour Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847. Hull scrubbing is restricted to the dedicated grid at Batson Quay.

This slipway at Batson Quay on Gould Road launches onto Batson Creek, a tidal side-channel of the Kingsbridge Estuary north-east of Salcombe town centre, run jointly by South Hams District Council and Salcombe Harbour Authority alongside the adjoining Batson Boatpark.

The Kingsbridge Estuary runs north from the sea near Salcombe up to Kingsbridge, with Blanksmill, Frogmore, Southpool and Bowcombe alongside Batson among its named side-creeks. At high water Batson Creek carries an expanse of calm water up to the slipway at Batson Quay; as the tide ebbs it drains substantially, exposing mudflats that narrow the navigable channel and restrict landing along the banks.

The remains of two Grade II listed lime kilns stand on the creek's shores near its head, both probably built in the 18th century from local stone with a beehive-domed firing chamber: one on the north shore close to Snapes Manor, the other on the south shore near the creek's end.

The estuary is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Local Nature Reserve. Its exposed mudflats provide feeding grounds for wading birds such as curlew and little egret, and seals are seen in the estuary.

Nearby

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The Wardroom

Cafe on Fore Street in Salcombe town centre.

Alston Farm Campsite

Campsite near Malborough taking tents, touring caravans and motorhomes; open to the public.

Website

Conditions to check

Tidal flow

Batson Creek dries substantially at low water, exposing mudflats that reduce navigable water and berthing access along the banks.

Source
Boat traffic

Batson Creek carries pontoon, deep-water and foreshore moorings let by Batson Creek Marine, with mooring demand in the estuary described as intense.

Source
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