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Heritage


Slapton Sands resembles the beaches of Normandy targeted in the Allied D- Day landings in WWII. Because of this similarity it was used for live ammunition exercises in advance of the real assault. During this training German E-boats attacked ships in the bay, killing over 600 American troops in one disastrous day. The black tank which sits by the car park at Torcross


was one of a number modified during the war to be an amphibious vehicle. This particular tank, however, had a fairly crucial fault in the form of a hole underneath, and it sank. It was raised from the seabed in 1984, and now forms a memorial to the American service personnel who died here. Torcross is a relatively


modern village in the scheme of things. Centuries ago, there would have only been a clutch of shacks storing fishing tackle here. Living near the sea was a hazardous business right


up until the 18th century. People depended on the sea for food and livelihoods, but lived in fear of pirates and raiders landing on the undefended coast. Most people compromised by living a mile or two inland at settlements like Widewell, for safety’s sake, and just went down to the shore to work the sea. Beesands Cellars is another site of fishermen’s stores


from times past. The ‘cellars’ have now disappeared, but were cut into the rock and used to salt and store fish. This spot must have a regular little hive of industry at one time – you can see the remains of a lime kiln here, as well as the old quarry. The entrance to the quarry is no more than a fissure


in the rock, well up above the beach. During the 18th and 19th centuries the quarry produced a soft slate transported from here by sea. Once harder Cornish


and Welsh slate came on the scene, the quarry here couldn’t compete and closed down. At its highest point, the walk passes through the


grounds of Widdicombe House. This estate is said to date from Saxon times. Later, Captain Cook is thought to have stayed here after returning from Tahiti. During WWII, General Eisenhower took over the house and grounds as a Combined Services Headquarters.


Landscape


The shingle ridge of Slapton Sands has been pushed up over the last 10,000 years by the sea as its levels have risen following the last ice age.


Slapton Ley, the lagoon behind the shingle ridge, has been around for the last 3,000 years. It is the largest natural expanse of freshwater in South West England. The Ley and the area around it form an abundant


oasis for a huge variety of plant and animal life, and it is designated a National Nature Reserve. Looking south down the coast after climbing around the back of Beesands Quarry, you will see Widdicombe Ley in the valley below. Like Slapton Ley, this is a freshwater lagoon, and over 180 species of birds have been seen there.


Tank photo. geograph-2460841-by-Philip-Halling


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