The shingle ridge that separates the lake from the sea is constantly shifting and reshaping due to wave action.
During the 1944 Exercise Tiger, 749 American servicemen lost their lives when German E-boats attacked the fleet off the coast.
A Sherman tank, recovered from the seabed in 1984, sits on the roadside near Torcross as a memorial to the D-Day rehearsals.
The lake is fed primarily by the River Gara and other small streams rather than groundwater springs.
The reserve is one of the few places in Britain where you can find the rare Strapwort plant (Corrigiola litoralis).
Slapton Ley has been a protected site for scientific study since the 1950s.
The lake's salinity levels fluctuate based on sea spray and storm overwash events across the shingle bar.
Slapton Ley is the largest natural freshwater lake in South West England, separated from the sea by a unique shingle ridge. The site functions as a National Nature Reserve managed by the Field Studies Council and Natural England. It encompasses a diverse ecosystem including reedbeds, marshes, woodland, and a rare shingle beach. The reserve serves as a vital habitat for Cetti’s warblers, otters, and various waterfowl. The A379 road runs directly along the shingle bar, physically dividing the freshwater Ley from Start Bay. Slapton Sands, the beach adjacent to the lake, is historically significant as the site of the secret 1944 D-Day 'Exercise Tiger' landing rehearsals. The area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The reserve supports extensive biodiversity studies and environmental education programs.
The raised viewing platform near the Field Centre provides a panoramic vantage point over the lake and the sea.
Bring binoculars to utilize the various bird hides scattered along the lake perimeter.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to navigate the loose shingle beach and potentially muddy woodland trails.
Check the tide charts if you plan to walk the full length of the beach, as high tides can significantly limit walking space.
Do not attempt to swim in the Ley, as it is a protected nature reserve; stick to the sea side for swimming.
Keep dogs on leads in sensitive wildlife areas and remain on marked footpaths to protect rare flora.
