Pictures of Hallsands

in the county of Devon

Take a picture tour of Hallsands

About Hallsands

Hallsands is a powerful reminder of the havoc and destruction caused by gale lashed, turbulent seas. Once, on this picturesque stretch of coast there stood a small, thriving fishing village with a strong, lively community who drew there living from the sea. Late in the 19th-century, new docks were being built at Devonport and thousands of tons of shingle were taken from Hallsands and used to make concrete for the new project. In this one single operation, little Hallsands was left bereft of its natural defences and some twenty years later on a winter night in January 1917, disaster struck. The villagers fled to the safety of the cliffs to watch their homes clutched by a merciless sea.

In time, some kind of normality returned to this close-knit community but life was never to be the same again. The ruins can still be seen from both the sea and the cliffs above. It is an eyrie, silent place where not a lot flourishes. The responsibility for removing the shingle lay with the government of the day who eventually paid a mere pittance in compensation. The story of Hall sands is illustrated in the Cookmere Museum of Rural Life in Kingsbridge. The South Hams Council have plans to build a viewing platform for visitors who wish to see the site.

Interestingly, directly opposite the site is a building built on the strength of one girl's bravery. A mother and her four daughters were left homeless by the disaster, then in the summer of the same year Ella Trout rescued an American sailor whose ship had been sunk by a German-U boat. Ella was awarded an O.B.E for her courageous act and the sailor's family sent a generous gift that enabled the family to build a guest house on the cliff top looking towards south Hallsands. The house is turned into holiday apartments and a tea room.

In spite of its chilling connections, this is a place of beauty where from a short walk over cliffs leading towards North Hallsands there are dramatic cliff and sea views. The area is popular with scuba divers and for water skiing. Boat trips take visitors all around Start Bay, taking in Start Point and Hallsands.

Places to visit include: Wildlife park at Stokeham, Kingsbridge Museum, Overbecks NT property, The Butterwalk at Dartmouth and Salcombe.

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Recommended towns & villages near Hallsands

	Torcross (2.2 miles, 3.6 km, direction N) In the summer months Torcross is a popular tourist destination. Part of the bank of shingle on which Torcross stands, takes in Slapton Ley, a 270 acre freshwater lake, an important winter habitat for wildfowl... Information \| Pictures (3) \| Hotels
	Salcombe (4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction W) Salcombe is a pleasant town with a happy atmosphere making it a joy to explore when you tire of lazing on one of the beautiful sandy beaches or need to relax after an energetic morning at sea... Information \| Pictures (41) \| Hotels
	Kingsbridge (6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction NW) Long ago, Kingsbridge was a thriving port, these days it is an interesting holiday destination providing year long excitement for boating enthusiasts and a wealth sandy beaches and lovely coves for those who simply wish to laze beside the sea... Information \| Pictures (2) \| Hotels
	Kingswear (9.0 miles, 14.4 km, direction NE) Picturesquely situated at the mouth of the River Dart, this popular resort has changed little with the passage of time... Information \| Pictures (22) \| Hotels
	Dittisham (10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction N) Attractive unspoilt village in a tranquil setting overlooking the widest part of the River Dart... Information \| Pictures (10) \| Hotels

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Recommended attractions near Hallsands

	Start Point Lighthouse (1.1 miles, 1.7 km) Designed in 1836 by James Walker.. Information \| Pictures (4) \| Hotels
	Overbeck's Museum & Garden (5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction W) Luxuriant coastal garden surrounding elegant Edwardian house with diverse collections... Information \| Pictures (5) \| Hotels
	Dartmouth Pottery (8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction NE) .. Information \| Pictures (1) \| Hotels
	Dartmouth Castle (8.5 miles, 13.6 km, direction NE) Darmouth Castle occupies a rocky promontory overlooking the Dart estuary. It was one of a chain of castles built by Henry VIII..... Information \| Pictures (6) \| Hotels
	Coleton Fishacre Garden (9.5 miles, 15.4 km, direction NE) A luxuriant garden by the sea, with an Arts & Crafts-style house, featuring Art Deco-influenced interiors... Information \| Pictures (14) \| Hotels

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Hotels & Accommodation in Hallsands

	The Marine Hotel Cliff Rd, Salcombe, Devon, England (4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction W) The Marine Hotel is a luxury 4-star hotel with 53 bedrooms, many with estuary views and balconies. Facilities include an award-winning restaurant and an indoor leisure complex. The Marine Hotel is ... More info and book online.. Price from £95.00
	Buckland Tout Saints Hotel Goveton, Kingsbridge, Nr Salcombe, Kingsbridge, Devon, England (5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction NW) Buckland-Tout-Saints is a beautiful 16th Century 16 bedroom manor house & award winning restaurant. Nestled in the heart of the South Hams, set in 4.5 acres of ground - one of the top 200 hotels in th... More info and book online.. Price from £80.00
	Dart Marina Hotel Sandquay Road, Dartmouth, Devon, England (9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction NE) Contemporary and traditional bedrooms, stylish hotel apartments and luxury health spa combined with award-winning cuisine in the River Restaurant or 'slow food - fast' in Wildfire Bar & Bistro. Da... More info and book online.. Price from £132.00
	Fingals Hotel Old Coombe Manor Farm, Dittisham, Dartmouth, Devon, England (10.2 miles, 16.5 km, direction N) Fingals is one of the most relaxing hotels in Devon. Known for its fun, informal style and French cuisine - Perfect for secluded romantic weekend breaks. Fingals is for families, house parties and s... More info and book online.. Price from £105.00
	The White Horse Hotel Dartmouth Rd, Churston Ferrers, Brixham, Devon, England (12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction NE) A highly recommended 4 star family run guesthouse, set in its own grounds. The hotel is ideal for touring the area and for enjoying the coastal walks that take in some of Devon's best scenery. The W... More info and book online.. Price from £30.00

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Nearby travel help

Totnes Station	(14.0 miles, 22.6 km, direction N)
Paignton Station	(14.5 miles, 23.3 km, direction N)
Plymouth City Airport	(23.7 miles, 38.2 km, direction NW)
M5 Junction 31	(31.4 miles, 50.5 km, direction N)
M5 Junction 30	(34.2 miles, 55.1 km, direction N)
Exeter Airport	(36.2 miles, 58.3 km, direction N)
Hallsands to London	(177.9 miles, 286.2 km, direction NE)