Thurlestone
| Thurlestone | |
| Devon | |
|---|---|
 The Thurlestone Rock at Thurlestone | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SX674428 |
| Location: | 50°16’16"N, 3°51’43"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,886 (2001) |
| Post town: | Kingsbridge |
| Postcode: | TQ7 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | South Hams |
Thurlestone is a village with a holiday beach five miles west of Kingsbridge in the south of Devon. The population at the 2011 census was 1,886.
The village takes its name from Thurlestone Rock, a natural rock arch just offshore in Thurlestone Bay; this is a "thirled stone", from the Old English þyrel stan ('hole-stone').
The village's church is the Church of All Saints. It built of the dark grey local slate. The chancel is early 13th century; the remainder of the church 15th and 16th century.
Thurlestone Marsh
Thurlestone Marsh (SX675423) is one of three small wetlands south of the village (South Milton Ley and South Huish Marsh are the others). It is formed where a small unnamed stream flows through low-lying flat farmland just inland from Leas Foot Sand, a small beach just to the southwest of the village.
The site consists of a number of reed-fringed pools.
About the village
A number of houses in the village are let out in season as self-catering houses: about 60% of houses in the village are rented out at some time in the year.
Thurlestone has a small set of shops and commercial life:, including: a post office, an inn, a large hotel and a golf course.
There is a walk from the main village to Bantham and another walk to Salcombe going through Hope Cove . Both of these are along the headland. There are also a numerous walks to nearby beaches and villages.
Wildlife
In 2002, a 30-year-old female pygmy sperm whale was washed up on Thurlestone Beach.
2005 saw two significant ornithological events accordng to the 'Devon Bird Report 2005':
- In late March and early April, a flock of 68 garganey was offshore in the bay - the second largest flock ever to be recorded in Britain (the largest was a flock of 120 in Kent in the 1950s).
- In August, a least sandpiper, a North American vagrant shorebird only recorded once in Devon previously, was present on Thurlestone Marsh.