Paignton: Coast, Pier and Geopark

Paignton combines a long sandy beach with a traditional pier, geological discoveries, nature experiences and excursions through South Devon. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Paignton will find a place where a wide variety of holiday days can be planned: from time by the water and family entertainment to culture, wildlife and landscapes.

Beach, Harbour and the Historic Pier

Paignton Sands is a long sandy beach with a pier in the centre. Paignton Pier was first opened to the public in 1879 and has therefore been part of the town's history since the 19th century. Today, the pier offers amusements, rides and ten-pin bowling. This makes it a distinctive destination for travellers who want to combine their stay with entertainment by the sea.

Paignton Harbour reveals another side of this coastal town. The harbour dates back to the 18th century and has a historic harbour wall. Those interested in the development of maritime towns can experience the beach, pier and harbour as different facets of Paignton, without reducing the character of the town to a single holiday focus.

Geology, History and Theatre Culture

Paignton is part of the UNESCO-recognised English Riviera Global Geopark. The Geoplay Park tells the story of four pivotal geological periods in the history of Torbay. The park is a free attraction on Paignton seafront, providing a special way to engage with the region's geological themes.

Culture enthusiasts will also find various points of interest. The Palace Theatre in Paignton presents drama, comedy, live music and family entertainment. Oldway, meanwhile, is one of the largest and grandest Victorian buildings in the South West. Together with the historic harbour, this creates a holiday theme that combines coastal landscapes, local history and cultural impressions.

Wildlife and Active Experiences

Paignton Zoo is home to hundreds of animals, including some of the world's most endangered species. At the same time, the zoo is a charity dedicated to conservation and education. For families, a visit to the zoo can therefore be an activity in its own right, while travellers interested in wildlife and conservation can discover another aspect of the town there.

Clennon Lakes is the most significant wetland on the English Riviera. Those who would like to include wetlands and nature observation in their plans alongside beaches and places of interest will find a different type of landscape here. For active holiday days, Reach Outdoors offers guided coasteering tours and coasteering instruction. Torbay Velopark is the only outdoor circuit with a traffic-free track in Devon and Cornwall.

Excursions Around Paignton

Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boats offers steam railway journeys as well as river and lake cruises. One of the routes described runs for seven miles along the South Devon coast through the Dart Valley to Kingswear. This allows a stay in Paignton to be complemented by a scenic activity, without focusing the holiday exclusively on days at the beach.

When looking for a holiday apartment or other accommodation, you can therefore first decide on your preferred travel focus. Paignton offers specific points of reference for this. Those who then wish to explore other places will also find Churston Ferrers and Brixham here.

For the overarching travel overview: Torbay.