A jewel in our wildlife crown and stories of a changing coastline. Like a satisfying meal, this walk has the shingle sweep of the beach to start, a main course of all the wildlife you could wish for on a National Nature Reserve, and the sweet and characterful village of Slapton for dessert. Perfect!
Technical sheet
n°10354528
A South Hams walk
posted on 09/06/21 by South Devon AONB. Last update : 06/07/22
(S/E) From car park, turn right along road. Turn first left signed ‘Slapton ½m’. After 150m turn left onto public footpath. Follow path along shore.
(1) Path curves away from ley shore. At fingerpost turn left along boardwalk signed ‘permissive footpath’.
At end of boardwalk bear left along footpath signed ‘Deer Bridge ¼m’.
(2) At the road turn right up hill.
(3) Go straight over at Townsend Cross. Bear right and follow lane down and around to the left. At junction at Brook St Cross turn right.
(4) After passing Queen’s Arms, follow road around to left.
(5) From edge of village, follow path along side of road back down to Slapton Sands. Alternatively, just past Field Studies Centre turn right down farm track signed ‘public footpath’. jump to point 11.
(6) After 250m, by sign reading ‘Farm Only’, bear right through gate to continue along footpath.
(1) Path leads you back to retrace your steps around shore of ley to the road. Turn right. Cross to right at junction to return to car park.(S/E)
Waypoints
S/E : km 0 - alt. 4 m - Memorial Car Park
1 : km 1.32 - alt. 12 m - Curve
2 : km 2.2 - alt. 12 m - Road
3 : km 2.81 - alt. 47 m - Townsend Cross
4 : km 3.38 - alt. 23 m - Queen’s Arms
5 : km 3.65 - alt. 29 m - Edge of the village
6 : km 3.92 - alt. 10 m - Gate
S/E : km 5.65 - alt. 4 m - Memorial Car Park
Useful Information
Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve request that dogs be kept on leads through the Reserve to avoid disturbance of wildlife.
Start : Memorial Car Park, Slapton Sands. Terrain : Footpath by Slapton Ley, occasionally uneven, with wet sections along shore after heavy rain; boardwalk; green lane, muddy and soggy in wet weather; surfaced road. Parking : Middle Car Park, Slapton Sands. Pay and display. Public transport : See www.travelinesw.com Refreshments : In Slapton or Torcross. Toilets : Public toilets at Torcross Car Park.
To see a complete list of walks and access up to date walk information and difficulty please go to South Devon AONB here.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
Date of walk : 07/10/22 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : N/A Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
It was a lovely walk to start off a stay in Devon. However, I had a fall going down a steep hill in Slapton village, walking on right side so to face non-existent traffic! Damp on that side and didn't realise how slippery, right leg went from under me and left leg splayed out behind. Thought I had sprained ankle but when I arrived home and had it checked transpired I'd fractured a bone above my ankle.
So advice is take things very easily on steep village hills that are damp! Other than that walk along the nature reserve at Slapton Ley on a lovely sunny day was beautiful.
CherryH
Overall rating :
4.3 / 5
Date of walk : 27/04/22 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Lovely walk with varying wildlife for bird watchers in particular. Different habitats too. Helped that the sun was shining!
