Enjoy a 360 virtual tour of Paignton, a colourful traditional seaside resort popular for its mild climate and long red sandy beaches. The heart of Torbay, Paignton is an English Riviera favourite with the bustling pier, lively seafront and decorous buildings.
Update: 15th November 2023
- Added, Upside Bar 15th November 23
- Coming Soon, Costelo Lounge late November ’23
Paignton is my home town and I feel lucky to live in such a naturally beautiful area. As long as the sun’s shining there is always something to do, with the best of the beaches in Torbay, coastal walks along the South West Coastal Paths and many woodlands to explore. Goodrington has to be one of my favourite places to go for walk any time of year, it also is home to one of my favourite bars Cantina where you can enjoy great food and often some live music. Shoreline on Paignton Sands has to have on of the best views while you eat. Preston is another favourite with the beach so you can sit and watch the waves. If you like Italian then you have to go to La Scala, this is one of the best Italians I’ve been to and the service second to none.
With 24 hour busses on the weekend you haven’t got to worry about it costing a fortune to get home from anywhere in the bay. If you do spend an evening out in Paignton then there are plenty of restaurants, pubs and bars to choose from, I’ve listed most below. If you want to enjoy an evening out then Five Walls Hop House, Upside Bar, Henry’s, Players, Still House and Spinning Wheel are a few of my favourites to enjoy a drink in the town centre.
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, but for now (2022) only on Paignton Sands around the Pier.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- Amusement Arcades
- Bays Brewery Tour
- Beaches
- Berry Pomeroy Castle
- Bowling Green
- Clennon Valley Lakes
- Cockington (Take a step back in time)
- Compton Castle
- Cricket
- Escape Room (x2)
- Events
- Geoplay (For the kids)
- Jet Ski Hire
- Harbour
- Hunts Brewery Tour
- Kirkham House (History)
- Oldway Mansion
- Occombe Farm
- Palace Theatre
- The Pier
- Pitch & Putt
- Pirates Bay (Crazy Golf)
- Rugby
- Sailing
- Sightseeing Trips
- Splashdown Quaywest Waterpark
- South West Coastal Paths
- Steam Railway
- Stoke Gabriel Crabbing
- Tennis Courts
- Torbay Leisure Centre (Swimming & Fitness etc)
- Torbay Velopark
- Victoria Park
- Vue Cinema
- The Zoo
- Apples ‘n’ Pears
- Anchors Rest (previously Curious Crab)
- Aroma Grill
- Bengal Spice (Indian)
The Boathouse(sadly closed for now Jan 2023)- Caffe Tutto
- Cantina
- Cattleman’s Restaurant at Parkers Arms (Cook your steak on a stone)
- Chandlers Coffee Shop Bistro
- Costero Lounge (Opening November 23)
- The Coach House
- Crab & Hammer (Seafood)
- Cupcake Café (Not just cupcakes, high teas and breakfast to)
- Dragon Pearl (Chinese)
- East in the West (One of the best in the country for a curry)
- Five Walls Hop House
- Franx
- Grand Central (Sports bar)
- Harbour Inn
- Harbour Light (St Austell Brewery)
Harvester(Closed August 23)- Henry’s Bar (Great beer selection & generous good food)
- Hyde Dendy
- Inn On The Green
- Jade’s (Some say it’s the best breakfast in town)
- Jingles (Mexican)
- La Scala (Italian)
- Li’l Mamas Vegan Kitchen
- The Local Thai Restaurant
- The Local Gastro Bar And Grill
- Lucky 7 Bar (Members only, day membership is available)
- Manor Inn
- Mercure Hotel
- Molly’s
- Mo’s Diner
- Mr. Favourites (Takeaway open till 1am)
- No. 18 (Open till 3am)
- Occombe Farm
- Old Manor
- Players (Cocktails)
- Rickshaw Boy (Chinese)
- Scoffs (Quick bite, Fish & Chips)
- Shoreline (Pizza)
- Spinning Wheel (Traditional pub, great atmosphere day & night)
- Still House (Gin bar)
- Sunshine Café (Great breakfast)
- Talk of the Town (Wetherspoons)
- Torbay Inn
- TJ’s (Enjoy a meal with a stunning view)
- The Upside Bar Co (Craft Beers with live train times on screen)
- Victorian Times
Wabi-Sabi Bay(Closed September 23)
- 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 Dayrider is £6.50 for adults and £4.40 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 £4. The Gold busses are fitted with wifi and usb charging ports for each seat. (Prices 2023) 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, There are a few to choose from:
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- Ace Taxis (Brixham): 01803 882121
- Paignton Taxi: 01803 434343
- Price First Taxis: 01803 322322
- Riviera Taxis: 01803 212600
- South Hams Cabs: 01803 840404
- Torbay Cab Company: 01803 292292
- Torbay Taxis: 01803 211611
- The Wheelchair Taxi Company: 01803 644644
- 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.
- 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:
-
- Ace Taxis (Brixham): 01803 882121
- Paignton Taxi: 01803 434343
- Price First Taxis: 01803 322322
- Riviera Taxis: 01803 212600
- South Hams Cabs: 01803 840404
- Torbay Cab Company: 01803 292292
- Torbay Taxis: 01803 211611
- The Wheelchair Taxi Company: 01803 644644
- 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.
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Originally posted on 16 Jun 2017 at 11:36
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