South Devon AONB
Walks & Trails
![Coastal Path Sign [© Clare Pawley Countryside Agency]](images/sub/_aonb_31_large.jpg)
![Couple Sitting on Cliff [© Clare Pawley Countryside Agency]](images/sub/CoupleSittingOnCliff_03-5432_r.jpg)
Slapton
![Wetland area [Seb Kelly © South Devon AONB Unit]](uploads/Wetland area 200.jpg)
![Reeds & The Ley [Seb Kelly © South Devon AONB Unit]](uploads/Reeds and the ley 200.jpg)
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!
- Start: Memorial Car Park, Slapton Sands
- Distance: 2.75 miles (+0.5 miles for alternative return route)
- Circular walk: Yes
- Grade: Easy to Moderate
- 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.
- Obstacles and steep gradients: 4 flights of steps
- Accessibility: There is a viewpoint with disabled access and adjacent parking, by Slapton Bridge, grid ref. SX 828443. The walk route, however, is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
- Public transport: Bus service 93 from Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and Plymouth. For information on public transport in South Hams please call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 www.traveline.org.uk.
- Refreshment stops: In Slapton: Tower Inn 01548 580216; Queen’s Arms 01548 580800.
- Toilets: Public toilets at Memorial Car Park, Slapton Sands.
- Parking: Memorial Car Park, Slapton Sands. Pay and display.
- Accommodation: Please contact Dartmouth Tourist Information Centre 01803 834224. www.discoverdartmouth.com
- Other facilities: Village shop in Slapton. Public payphone in Slapton, turn right beyond Queen’s Arms, 100m on right.
- OS map: Explorer OL20
- Grid ref: SX828442
Directions
Note: Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve request that dog’s be kept on leads through the Reserve to avoid disturbance of wildlife.
From car park, turn right along road. Turn first left signed ‘Slapton ½m’.
After 150m turn left onto public footpath signed for Deer Bridge. Follow path along shore.
Path curves away from ley shore. At fingerpost turn left along boardwalk signed ‘permissive Route Slapton Village ¼m’.
At end of boardwalk bear left along footpath signed ‘Deer Bridge ¼m’.
At the road turn right up hill.
Go straight over at Townsend Cross. Bear right, and follow lane down and around to the left. At junction at Brock St Cross turn right.
After passing Queen’s Arms, follow road around to left.
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’.
After 250m, by sign reading ‘Farm Only’, bear right through gate by stile to continue along footpath.
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.
From car park, turn right along road. Turn first left signed ‘Slapton ½m’.
After 150m turn left onto public footpath signed for Deer Bridge. Follow path along shore.
Path curves away from ley shore. At fingerpost turn left along boardwalk signed ‘permissive Route Slapton Village ¼m’.
At end of boardwalk bear left along footpath signed ‘Deer Bridge ¼m’.
At the road turn right up hill.
Go straight over at Townsend Cross. Bear right, and follow lane down and around to the left. At junction at Brock St Cross turn right.
After passing Queen’s Arms, follow road around to left.
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’.
After 250m, by sign reading ‘Farm Only’, bear right through gate by stile to continue along footpath.
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.
