The Parish of Slapton is a delightful, rural, coastal Parish comprising the village of Slapton, hamlets of Start and Hansel and many rural farms. It is located in the South Hams, Devon within a National Landscape (area of outstanding natural beauty). Approximately 600 people live in the Parish. Slapton village is located a quarter of a mile inland from Start Bay, famous for Operation Tiger and a series of landing exercises carried out on Slapton Sands prior to the D-Day landings in June 1944. The village lies within a conservation area with thatched cottages, leets and narrow windy streets around St James the Great Church, which was dedicated to St James in 1318. The village and wider Parish are steeped in history dating back to the late 13th and early 14th Century. Slapton village has two pubs, a community shop, a village hall, two churches, several campsites, a defibrillator, a listed BT phone box, a recreation field, a playground, a community nature field and it is home to the Field Studies Council's Slapton Ley field centre. There is also a network of Parish footpaths and a bridleway to explore (including through Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve).
Chillington Health Centre weekly prescription and delivery services, facilitated by SCOF (Start Circle of Friends) is open to all patients living in Slapton, Blackawton and Strete eligible to use their dispensary
The Torcross Tank car park will close from Monday 7 September 2026 until June 2027 to allow the Environment Agency to use the site during essential works to the Torcross sea defences.
Residents are invited to come along to have a quick chat or discuss issues impacting them with South Devon MP Caroline Voaden between 16.30 and 17.00.
News release issued 24 July 2026 by South Hams District Council Communications and Media Team
