Paignton is a seaside town on the South West coast in Devon, UK. Paignton is around 25 miles (40 km) north east of Plymouth and 20 miles (32 km) south of Exeter, and has the fourth largest population in Devon.

• Together with Torquay and Brixham it forms the borough of Torbay which was created in 1998.
• The Torbay area is a holiday destination known as the English Riviera.
• Those born and bred here are known as Paigntonian.
• The harbour was built in 1847.
• The railway line was opened to passengers in 1859 creating links to Torquay and London.
• Torbay Picture House (currently under refurbishment) was built in 1907 and opened on 16 March 1914, and is believed to be the oldest surviving purpose-built cinema in Europe. A project is currently underway to bring it back into use.
• 5G is available around the town centre.
• Ken Wolstenholme best known for his 1966 football World Cup final quote “Some people are on the pitch, they think it’s all over… it is now.” moved to Galmpton in 1997 to be closer to his daughter after the passing of his wife. He often played Golf at Churston and attended matches at Plainmoor until sadly passing in 2002 aged 81.
• 24th April 1983, saw professional footballer George Best (1946 – 2005), play at Plainmoor, the home of Torquay United Football Club. After the match, George and his girlfriend Swedish model Mary Stavin, a former Miss World in 1977, visited the ‘Tom Cobley’ – the local pub in Foxhole – to drink with some locals. The pub was converted into a Co-Op in 2011.
• The face of the Statue of Liberty in the USA belonged to Isabella Boyer who was born in Paris, the daughter of an African confectioner and an English mother. At 20, Isabella married Isaac Singer, the sewing machine maker, who was 50 years old. They had 6 children together and lived at Oldway Mansion. After Singer’s death, Isabella became one of the richest women in England.
  Isabella travelled the world and married the Dutch violinist Victor Robstett and became a countess. He became a prominent figure in America and Europe, and they met the French sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi. Bartholdi, impressed by her beauty and history, is said to have used her face as a model for the Statue of Liberty.

Paignton is mentioned in records dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086 AD. Paignton was a small fishing village until the 19th century, when the ‘Paington Harbour Act’ led to the construction of a new harbour in 1837. It was also around this time that the modern spelling of Paignton appeared.

• The final spelling of Paignton was due to the coming of the Railway in 1859. The Surveyor noted the various ways Paignton had been shown on maps, and so he consulted the Steward of the Manor and the Vicar. The Steward said “Paignton” and the Vicar said “Paington”. To please both, the Surveyor wrote “Paignton or Paington” on his plan, and when the Station opened the board on one platform announced “Paignton”, whilst the other platform showed “Paington”. For many years this was a source of amusement to visitors. A new Station Master was appointed and he determined to settle the argument once  and for all. He asked the Postmaster, who said “Paignton” – and finally the matter was settled.
• Once Torbay had no sea in it at all and the coast was way out beyond Berry Head. Torbay was a wooded valley. You can see evidence of the prehistoric woods at Goodrington Beach on a very low tide when the stumps of these fossilised trees become visible at North sands.
• The Paignton Pudding, first made in the 13th century, is the origin of the nickname ‘pudden eaters’ for the people of Paignton. The puddings were made infrequently and were of great size. When thousands turned up hoping to obtain a piece of a huge pudding that had been baked to celebrate the arrival of the railway chaos occurred and the event became notorious. A Paignton Pudding was baked in 1968 to celebrate the town’s charter, and another baked in 2006 to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of the engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
• Torquay Tramways were extended into Paignton in 1911 but the network was closed in 1934.

• Airbnb, from £20 a night for a private room, while entire apartments/homes can start from around £40 a night, this would be my recommended option.
• Hostel. There are no hostels in Paignton.
• Camping, Hire a static caravan or bring your own camper or tent for as little as £11 a night at Widdicombe Farm Touring Park, Widend Touring Park, Whitehill Country Park, Beverley Holidays or Waterside Holiday Park.
• B&B & Guest Houses, There are loads to choose from, probably best to look at the reviews on TripAdvisor.  Prices start from £40 a night.
• Hotel, Again there are many from the budget Travelodge, Premier Inn and then the luxury hotels like Redcliff and Palace. Prices start from £40 – £150 a night.

• Anderton and Rowland Funfair (Summer)
• Cherry Pie Fair (July)
• English Riviera Bike Night (Every Wednesday night during summer)
• Hunts Cider Fest (October)
• Marldon Apple Pie Fair (September)
• Paignton Regatta
• Torbay Half Marathon

• Bus, There are two companies running throughout the bay Stagecoach and Torbay Buses. A Stagecoach Day rider is £6.50, 2023 for adults and £4.40, 2023 for a child, Area the ticket covers.  The number 12 runs between Paignton, Torquay, Brixham and Newton Abbot. After 7pm ask for the cheaper Nightrider. The Gold busses are fitted with wifi and usb charging ports for each seat. If travelling in a group of 5 or more ask for the group save.
• Car, is by far the easiest option if you want to travel between towns. There are a few local places you can hire from, Thrifty, Enterprise, Chief & Budget Car
  • Very little in the way of free parking in town. The closest would be the Elm Park, Littlegate Road.
• Ferry, There are a few to choose from, but for just £2 and 20 minutes you can travel between the 3 Torbay towns or head to Teignmouth or Dartmouth. Check out We Ferry.
• Taxi, here are a few to choose from and some now have there own Uber like app:

• Train, if you are travelling in a group of 3 or more ask for group save discount.
• Walking, With some of the best coastal paths in the country, walking these won’t disappoint, with the stunning views on a sunny day. (Don’t forget the sunscreen)

Tip: If travelling by bus in a group of 5 or more ask for the group save.

Tip: If travelling by train in a group of 3 or more ask for the group save.

• Bus, National express travels daily to and from London for as little as £10 and stops outside the Library.
• Car, Heading south on the M5 follow the signs for Exeter and then Torquay.
• Ferry, PPC (Paignton Pleasure Cruises) operate between all 3 of Torbay’s harbours.
• Train, on the Riviera Line serving Exeter, Starcross, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton.

• All the Public Toilets in Torbay cost 30p. Im not telling you what to do, but I would support one of the many fine establishments and buy yourself a drink, then you can use the facilities there for free.
• If travelling by train in a group of 3 or more ask for the group save.
• If travelling by bus in a group of 5 or more ask for the group save.
• Taxis:

• Pay and display machines use the RingGo app which allows you to pay via your phone.
• Airport Transfers Torbay specialises in airport taxis from Torbay to any UK airport or ferry port for 1 to 16 passengers, 01803 857050.
• Be aware of the seagulls if your outside with food.