TORCROSS VILLAGE

 

Image Torcross, Slapton Ley and Start Bay

 

Just over a mile from Stokenham village towards Dartmouth lies Torcross at the southern end of Slapton Sands adjacent to Slapton Ley, a large fresh water lake separated from the sea by only a narrow stretch of shingle. The village comprises a store and post office, butchers, craft and art shop as well as a small pottery. There is a pub, restaurants, cafes and accommodation including self-catering, and for sunny days a popular water sports and swimming beach. 

Image Torcross, Slapton Ley and "the line"

Image of Torcross Beach

The old part of Torcross lies twixt the sea and the Ley, a 200 acre freshwater lake and nature reserve formed after the last ice age some twenty thousand years ago, it is now an attraction for bird watchers and nature lovers from around the world. See Slapton Field Centre www.field-studies-council.org/slaptonley/

This unique combination allows for the attractions of a wonderful beach and a beautiful nature reserve, literally within a few yards of each other, an environment that  exists in few other places.
During World War 2, Slapton Sands were used as a practise beach for the invasion of Europe.  To allow this to happen, Torcross with a number of neighbouring villages were completely evacuated and American Forces moved in.  Many lost their lives during a practise exercise and a Tank recovered from the sea now sited in the car park serves as a reminder of their sacrifice.  A further memorial of those times can also be found nearby, see below. Much more detail and the full story can be seen at www.shermantank.co.uk

Image of Sherman Tank

Image of replica of memorial garden in Normandy

Image of comemorative plaque

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