The English Riviera’s classic seaside town — golden sands, a Victorian pier, a world-class zoo and one of the finest steam railways in Britain.
Welcome to Paignton, the warm heart of the English Riviera. While neighbouring towns draw visitors with fine dining and sailing glamour, Paignton delivers something rarer: genuine, unpretentious seaside joy. Wide golden beaches, a Victorian pleasure pier, Britain’s best coastal steam railway and a world-class zoo all sit within easy reach of each other. Whether you’re here for a family holiday or a quiet escape, Paignton has far more to offer than its cheerful, traditional reputation suggests.
As your hosts at The Hosting Company, we want your time here to feel genuinely special. This guide is packed with the places we’d recommend to friends, the tips the locals keep to themselves, and everything you need to make the most of Paignton and the surrounding area.
And remember — if you’d like us to arrange anything during your stay, from restaurant reservations and boat trips to activity bookings and tickets, just ask. We’re here to make every detail feel effortless.
Getting Your Bearings
Paignton sits at the heart of the English Riviera, between Torquay to the north and Brixham to the south. It has its own mainline railway station with direct services from Exeter, Bristol and London Paddington, making it one of the most accessible towns on the South Devon coast. The seafront promenade, pier and beach are all within easy walking distance of the station, and regular boat services cross the bay to Torquay and Brixham throughout the summer.
The town divides naturally into the seafront and promenade area, the harbour and the broader town centre. Goodrington Sands and Broadsands beaches lie a short distance south along the coast, each with their own distinct character.
💡 Local Tip: The seasonal Torbay Road Train runs along the seafront between Paignton and Goodrington Sands — a lovely way to travel between beaches without the car, and a hit with younger visitors.
Beaches & The Seafront
Paignton is blessed with three excellent beaches, each offering something different.
Paignton Beach
The town’s main beach — a long, wide sweep of golden sand backed by colourful beach huts and the Victorian pier. The calm, shallow water makes it ideal for families with younger children. The promenade behind it is one of the most cheerful stretches of English seaside, and on a warm summer’s day there are few better places to be in Devon.
Goodrington Sands
Our favourite Paignton beach. A Blue Flag half-mile of sand with clear water, water sports hire and beach huts. The extraordinary Splashdown Quaywest — the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark — sits directly adjacent, making Goodrington an unbeatable family day out. Young’s Park next door adds a boating lake, children’s play area and lovely garden walks.
💡 Local Tip: Visit Goodrington early in the morning before the waterpark opens for a peaceful swim and a walk along the sands — it’s a completely different experience to the busy midday beach.
Broadsands Beach
The quietest and most scenic of the three — a sheltered sandy bay with gentle slopes, walking trails along the cliffs above and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for those who want to step away from the summer energy of the main beach.
Fairy Cove & Elberry Cove
Two hidden gems worth seeking out. Fairy Cove is a tiny sheltered beach accessible on foot from Paignton Harbour. Elberry Cove, a short walk further south along the coast path, is a beautiful shingle bay with translucent water and a wonderful sense of seclusion.
Things to See & Do
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park
One of the finest zoos in Britain, set across 80 acres of beautiful parkland with over 2,000 animals. Paignton Zoo is a genuine conservation charity — the research carried out here is internationally significant — and the visitor experience is exceptional for all ages. Allow a full day and book tickets in advance in summer.
Dartmouth Steam Railway
One of the finest steam railway journeys in England. Running from Paignton station along the spectacular coastline and Dart Valley to Kingswear, with breathtaking views throughout. Combine with the Lower Ferry crossing to Dartmouth and the river cruise back to Totnes for the famous Round Robin — one of the great Devon day out experiences.
💡 Local Tip: Book all three legs of the Round Robin — train, ferry and river cruise — in advance. It’s a full and wonderful day out and gets very busy in summer.
Paignton Pier
A proper Victorian pleasure pier, first opened in 1879. Mini golf, amusements, traditional coin games and sweeping bay views. An entirely unpretentious, thoroughly enjoyable slice of British seaside life that families return to year after year.
Palace Theatre
A beloved 380-seat community theatre with a year-round programme of shows for all ages — tribute acts, musicals, comedy and children’s theatre. One of the best local venues on the English Riviera and well worth an evening visit.
Roundham Head
A peaceful clifftop headland between the harbour and Goodrington Sands, offering sweeping views across Torbay. Part of the South West Coast Path and a wonderful spot to watch the sunset over the bay.
Torbay Velopark
Safe family cycling with bike, helmet and baby trailer hire at Clennon Valley. Excellent for families wanting to get active together without taking to the roads.
Eating & Drinking
Paignton is part of England’s Seafood Coast and fresh fish is a genuine highlight — landed daily from nearby Brixham.
Rockfish, Goodrington — Mitch Tonks’ acclaimed sustainable seafood group has a Goodrington branch with excellent fish and chips and a terrific beach-facing position.
TJ’s Restaurant — Fresh, locally-caught seafood in a great harbourside setting. One of the most consistently praised restaurants in Paignton.
The Harbour Light — A relaxed harbourside pub with local ales and good food, ideal for watching the boats come and go over a pint.
Café Verde — A lovely independent café in the town centre for coffee, cakes and a good lunch. A favourite with locals.
💡 Local Tip: Try the Paignton Pudding — a local speciality that made it onto the Great British Bake Off. Several of the town’s bakeries and tearooms serve their own version.
Day Trips from Paignton
Paignton’s central position on the English Riviera makes it an outstanding base for exploring the wider area.
Torquay — 4 miles north by road, or a short ferry crossing in summer. Kents Cavern, Torre Abbey, Babbacombe and Kents Cavern all within easy reach.
Brixham — A short drive south or ferry ride across the bay. The Golden Hind, Berry Head Nature Reserve and Rockfish’s finest branch await.
Dartmouth — Take the steam railway from Paignton station for a spectacular journey to Kingswear, then cross by ferry to Dartmouth.
Dartmoor National Park — Less than an hour inland. Haytor, Widecombe-in-the-Moor and the open moorland landscape are all accessible for a half-day excursion.
Our Local Tips
- Visit Goodrington Sands early in the morning for a peaceful swim before the crowds arrive
- Book Paignton Zoo tickets online in advance, particularly during school holidays
- Walk the South West Coast Path from Broadsands to Elberry Cove for one of the finest short coastal walks in Torbay
- The Paignton Regatta in late July brings fireworks, sailing races and a wonderful atmosphere to the harbour
- The English Riviera Airshow in late May or June is a spectacular free event visible from the beaches
- Arrive at the harbour area at low tide and walk around to Fairy Cove — it’s often empty even in high summer
We Can Arrange It For You
Part of what makes staying with The Hosting Company different is that we’re not just here to hand over the keys. If there’s something you’d like to do, see, eat or experience during your stay in Paignton, just ask.
We can help arrange: restaurant reservations, Paignton Zoo and Splashdown tickets, Dartmouth Steam Railway bookings, boat trips and fishing charters, kayak and paddleboard hire, and much more.
There’s no obligation and no booking fee. Get in touch at hello@thehostingcompany.uk or call us on 01803, and we’ll take care of it.
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