BEESANDS/TORCROSS

Further along from Start Point, the coastline continues to be vulnerable at the little village of Beesands, which was nearly obliterated by a horrific storm in 1979. Following this, a sea wall was erected to protect the village. The day we visited Start Point, we retreated to a cosy tearoom in Torcross afterwards, and the waves were crashing over the sea wall. I can remember few times when a tearoom felt more welcome.

Torcross and Start Bay from Start Point

Torcross, a short way further along the coast, was also badly damaged in the 1979 storm, and also had a wall built to protect it. Torcross played an important role during World War II when it was used by allied troops to practice for the D-Day landings; unfortunately this entailed turfing out the local populace beforehand. A salvaged tank positioned by the car park serves as a reminder of that time. Behind the village lies Slapton Ley, which is the largest freshwater lake in South-West England, housing a nature reserve which is popular with twitchers. As well as our feathered friends, a number of mammals inhabit the area, and sightings during 2010 included otter and roe deer.

Map of the area.

Seafront, Torcross - geograph.org.uk - 1359403. Photo by Derek Harper, via Wikimedia Commons.