Hallsands Beach

Hallsands beach at Hallsands is a nice pebble beach that due to its geography is often extremely private. There is a good walk which takes you along the coast to Start Point where there are tours of the lighthouse available. We advise you telephone prior to arriving to avoid disappointment.

It is important to note that there is a strong risk of being cut off by the tide - so keep an eye on your time tables and if you're not sure, leave the beach early!

History

This is not so much a beach as a deserted village. It is believed the Chapel was built around 1506 and the village which evolved around it was not inhabited until 1600. By 1891 there were 37 houses including a public house called the London Inn. The village depended on their fishing for a living.

In the 1890's things started to change; a Sir John Jackson proposed to expand the naval dockyard at Plymouth and they began dredging off Hallsands to provide the sands and the gravel for construction. They removed up to 1,600 tons of material a day! Not surprisingly this had an effect on the coast and the beach began to drop into the sea.

On 26 January 1917 huge tides and easterly gales breached Hallsands sea defences and by the end of the year there was only one house left habitable! The last inhabitant was a Mrs Prettlejohn and today there are only 2 houses left standing.

Facilities

• Beach - Pebbles
• Parking - Limited
• Accessibility - Excellent
• Toilets - No
• Refreshments - No
• Dogs - Welcome all year
• Life Guard - None

Best for

History !

It's a fact !

In 2006, an opera was written called "Whirlwind" which tells the story of Hallsands' demise.

Damon Albarn revealed in November 2010 that Hallsands village had inspired the song 'Gorillaz Plastic Beach'.