Slapton Virtual Field Trip
Site overview
This coastal virtual field trip starts at Torcross and continues along a vegetated shingle ridge for approximately 3 km.
The ridge (or bar) separates a freshwater lagoon from the sea. It is a product of postglacial (Holocene) sea level rise, which transported predominantly flint and quartz shingle onshore. Today, storm events and littoral drift continue to supply sediment to the ridge.
Vegetated shingle is a relatively rare habitat, and the plants and insects on this ridge are of high conservation importance. The virtual field trip seeks to illustrate ecological succession across the ridge, from the beach to the sheltered backslope.
About the Slapton virtual field trip
This is an immersive, self-guided virtual field trip.
In other words, it is based around 360° imagery and provided without interpretation. The latter means it can be used flexibly for a wide range of educational purposes, although educators need to develop learner activities (e.g., worksheets) to suit their own requirements. There are plans to develop supporting resources, such as StoryMaps, for this site.
This resource was developed as part of the More Inclusive Fieldwork project, which explores how virtual fieldwork can be used to support (not replace) in-person field experiences.
This is a popular fieldwork site, used by schools, colleges, and universities – including those staying at the nearby Field Studies Council Centre at Slapton Ley. It is hoped that this resource can be used to help students prepare for, and follow up, a field visit.
The virtual field trip can be viewed on a wide range of devices although viewing it on a large monitor will provide a more immersive experience. Viewed in full screen mode is also recommended (for the same reason).
The virtual field trip includes background audio that will—or should—play by default. The sounds of breaking waves help create a more immersive experience, although this can be disabled using the menu below.
There are also embedded videos and photos – the latter using a zoom lens and providing much more detail than is possible through the panospheres alone. The videos are simple and broadly similar. Their purpose is to contribute to the sense of ‘being there’.
The virtual field trip comprises 37 locations. As seen on the map below, the first stop overlooks the village of Torcross. This was chosen because of its view.
A map of all the stops is available within the virtual field trip.
Imagery acquired: May 2022
- view on a wide range of internet-connected devices
- for greater immersion, view on a large monitor in full-screen mode
- includes environmental audio and video clips, so headphones or speakers recommended (but can be used without)
This resource was developed as part of the More Inclusive Fieldwork project, which explores how virtual fieldwork can be used to support (not replace) in-person field experiences.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.