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Torcross, Slapton Sands, South Devon, TQ7 2TQ
A Stunning Location
Seabreeze is situated right in the heart of the South Hams, 5 miles from Dartmouth, 7 miles from Kingsbridge, and 12 miles from Salcombe (by road). The entire locality is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and offers a wealth of opportunities for exploration and adventure. To view a map of the area or get directions please scroll down.
Seabreeze was originally a fisherman’s cottage and net store. It was the first building to be built on the beach at Torcross and is around 400yrs old. Its walls are about four feet thick and is built in the traditional thatch and cob Devonshire style. Seabreeze's position affords the most spectacular views of the Start Bay, from our rooms one can easily see as far as the Mew Stone at Dartmouth and also the Start Point Lighthouse at the southern end of the bay.
Torcross Village wraps itself around the southern end of one of England’s largest fresh water lakes known as Slapton Ley. What is so unique about this location is that the Lake is only separated from the sea by a narrow shingle ridge known as the Slapton Line. The area is a haven for migratory birds and other wildlife such as otters, adders and dormice, and is a SSSI. It is hard to imagine this sleepy and sunny place in any other way, but the beautiful long beach known as Slapton Sands has a tragic history;
During the Second World War It was used as a practice site for the Normandy Landings. What should have been a simple exercise went terribly wrong. The Sherman Tank, that now serves as a memorial, stands in the main car park at Torcross. it was recovered from the Start Bay where it sank during the disastrous events of Exercise Tiger.
Our beach curves around the blue waters of Start Bay in a glorious golden sweep of fine shingle that finishes at the dramatic promontory of Start Point. Here a lighthouse perches atop spectacular cliffs where seabirds nest in craggy crevices, and where grey seals can often be seen lazing on the rocks below. A leisurely walk to the lighthouse from will take about 90 mins each way, but is definitely worth doing. The views along the way are spectacular, and you can take a tour of the lighthouse which we HIGHLY recommend, for the less enthusiastic walker, you can drive to Start point and walk to the lighthouse from the car park - truly fascinating!
There are 2 other beachside villages in the bay, besides Torcross. You will pass both Beesands village and Hallsands village on a walk to the lighthouse. Beesands is a quiet fishing village that time seems to have forgotten. It is a nice distance from seabreeze for a short walk or a paddle, taking about 20 mins by either mode of transport. Once there You can purchase fresh seafood straight off the boats ready for a beach BBQ, or stop for a pint at a lovely pub called the Cricket Inn.
The village of Hallsands is another mile closer to the lighthouse. Once it was also a busy fishing village, but earlier this century half of Hallsands was swept away in a storm. The ruins of some of the old houses still remain perched perilously close to the sea. Now home only to the seabirds they serve as a reminder of the power of the sea.