Summary
In the English Riviera, Paignton is a refined seaside resort that features pristine beaches and significant attractions catering to a diverse audience.
One of the foremost attractions is Paignton Zoo, recognized as one of the pioneering zoos committed to animal conservation and welfare.
The renowned crime novelist Agatha Christie resided for over forty years at Greenways, a Georgian estate situated near Paignton.
The local theatre frequently stages productions of her literary works, and to immerse oneself in her narratives, visitors have the option to take a steam train from the town to Greenways.
The beaches along the English Riviera are safe and family-friendly, and Devon’s intriguing geology is highlighted at the impressive Geoplay Park, where each section represents a different geological period.
Let’s explore the best things to do in Paignton:
1. Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo is recognized as one of Britain’s leading animal attractions, according to independent visitor feedback.
Managed by a registered charity, it was among the first zoos in Britain to prioritize animal conservation efforts.
The facility features over 250 animal species from around the globe within humane, thoughtfully designed enclosures.
For example, the Tropical Forest House includes caimans, various crocodile species, boa constrictors, green anacondas, matamata turtles, and a range of other reptiles.
Additionally, the Forest Animals area allows close encounters with Sumatran tigers, Asian lions, western lowland gorillas, orangutans, lemurs, and lar gibbons.
The animal habitats are complemented by themed gardens showcasing medicinal and commercial plants, as well as Mediterranean, tropical, and subtropical species.
2. Paignton Beach
Paignton Beach is the preferred destination for family outings by the sea, featuring an extensive stretch of sand with reddish and golden hues.
As with the majority of beaches in Tor Bay, swimming is safe here, and the gentle surf is suitable for pedal boats and rowboats, which are available for rent from the shore.
Visitors can also hire deck chairs or beach huts for the day and enjoy some relaxation under the sun.
For entertainment and stunning sea views, Paignton Pier is a popular spot, and the annual Paignton Regatta, now in its 170th year, features a funfair, boat races, and a festive atmosphere.
3. Paignton Geoplay Park
Adjacent to Paignton Beach, Geoplay Park is a creatively designed, complimentary outdoor attraction for children.
This park discreetly incorporates educational elements, drawing from the rich geological history of the English Riviera, allowing children to traverse different geological epochs within a few steps.
The play area for toddlers symbolizes the Devonian period when this area was submerged beneath the equator.
Here, youngsters can ride a trilobite, while the Junior area, themed around the Carboniferous period, features a climbing net designed to resemble an ancient mountain range formed by continental collisions.
The Permian Period area provides sand and water play, while the Quaternary Period zone offers larger children challenges faced by early humans, including climbing trees, tricky obstacles, and zip-lines.
4. Dartmouth Steam Railway
Winding through the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Dartmouth Steam Railway operates along an historical branch line of the Great Western Railway, connecting Paignton in the north to Kingswear in the south.
The Paignton station, featuring restored vintage signage and an original metal and glass canopy, serves as the starting point for your coastal journey, crossing Victorian viaducts and enjoying panoramic views of the sea and countryside.
The main operating season runs from April to November, during which nearly every service is operated by steam locomotives dating back to the 1920s to 1950s, utilizing diesel trains only when steam engines are under maintenance.
Upon reaching Kingswear, visitors may continue onward with the same operator to Dartmouth via a ferry crossing the River Dart.
5. Greenway Estate
Greenway, once the residence of author Agatha Christie, is an enchanting location that appeals even to those indifferent to murder mysteries.
Now a National Trust property, the estate is located less than five miles south of Paignton’s center and can be accessed from the Dartmouth Steam Railway (Greenway Halt). Christie occupied this 18th-century Georgian mansion starting in 1938 and lived here with her second husband, Max Mallowan, for nearly four decades.
Christie incorporated Greenway and its grounds into several of her novels, including “Five Little Pigs” and “Dead Man’s Folly.”
Visitors to the house can view various possessions belonging to Agatha, such as a Steinway piano, collections of china and silverware, alongside discoveries made by Max Mallowan in his archaeological career.
The estate grounds are equally stunning, positioned on the east bank of the River Dart, featuring towering trees and a distinguished “Camellia Garden of Excellence.”
6. Goodrington Sands
Another splendid beach, Goodrington Sands is located less than a mile south of the town center, featuring a long sandy beach that gently slopes into the water, flanked by a promenade.
With calm waters, it is a favored spot for families during the summer months, and when the tide recedes, a network of fascinating rock pools becomes accessible for exploration.
Colorful beach huts line the back, and in the summer, the locomotives from the Dartmouth Steam Railway contribute to a nostalgic seaside ambiance.
The Seashore Centre, located right on the beach, provides exhibits regarding the diverse wildlife inhabiting the English Riviera’s coastline.
This location is ideal for families visiting Paignton, complementing a rock pooling excursion when the tide recedes at Goodrington Sands.
7. Goodrington Park (Youngs Park)
Adjacent to the beach is the park of the same name, providing an opportunity for a verdant respite from the coastal activities.
Goodrington Park is centered around a boating lake that offers bumper boats and pedal boats shaped like swans for rental.
This body of water has a history dating back to a medieval lagoon that existed in the midst of marshes, previously thought to be a bottomless pool.
When the marshes were drained, it was discovered that the pool was actually less than a meter deep! Visitors should look for the granite headstone marking the “Major’s Grave,” dating back to the Napoleonic Wars.
Approximately 300 French soldiers were laid to rest here in unmarked graves during that era.
Today, the area is vibrant, featuring attractions such as crazy golf, a bouncy castle, and a playground.
8. Berry Pomeroy Castle
Nestled within a wooded valley just minutes from the coast lie the remnants of an expansive Elizabethan house, constructed in the latter part of the 16th century.
Berry Pomeroy Castle was never fully completed, and by 1700 it was abandoned, enveloped in mystery and tales of ghosts.
The English Heritage site provides an audio tour that narrates some of these stories alongside the history of the Pomeroy and Seymour families.
Upon its rediscovery by Romantics in the late 18th century, Berry Pomeroy Castle epitomized the notion of “picturesque,” and its enigmatic ruins, historic slate quarry, and matured woodlands continue to captivate visitors today.
9. Cockington Court
Although technically part of Torquay, Cockington Court is only a ten-minute drive from Paignton and features a mansion primarily from the 17th and 19th centuries.
The idealistic village of Cockington is encompassed within a country park and includes a historic water mill, forge, almshouses, and a Norman church that has stood since 1069. The mansion itself is a multifaceted attraction, notable for its historic architecture and Tudor garden, as well as its status as a center for arts and crafts.
Cockington Court hosts more than 20 craft studios, a walled art garden, a contemporary art gallery, a tea room, and a children’s play area.
Visitors can watch artisans such as glassblowers and blacksmiths at work and purchase distinctive items directly from the makers.
10. Oldway Mansion
This elegant mansion was constructed in 1875 by the American inventor and entrepreneur Isaac Merritt Singer, renowned for developing the sewing machine.
Later, his son, Paris Singer, transformed the mansion and its grounds into a scaled-down version of Versailles, enveloped in Italian-style formal gardens.
Following its use as a RAF training center during World War II, the property was sold to the local council at a significantly reduced price.
After their departure in 2012, the future of Oldway Mansion and its listed outbuildings remains uncertain.
Currently, visitors can take a leisurely stroll around the flowerbeds, broderies, topiaries, and balustrades in the adjacent gardens while appreciating the mansion’s impressive Ionic colonnade from a distance.
11. South West Coast Path
The South West Coast Path, recognized as a National Trail, represents the longest waymarked footpath in the UK, traversing through Paignton on its extensive 630-mile journey from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset.
Tor Bay is an excellent area for exploring shorter sections of the path, as railway stations and bus services are readily available along the coast for convenient returns.
A scenic hike from Paignton to Brixham, covering six miles, leads you through lush countryside, alongside rugged red cliffs, and adjacent to private beaches and secluded coves.
You may continue further to Berry Head, where striking panoramas of Tor Bay extend up to Torquay.
12. Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre, established in 1890, is the oldest operating theatre in Torbay, accommodating audiences of up to 380. The venue plays an integral role in the Paignton community, hosting touring tribute acts, pantomimes, and several productions of Agatha Christie’s plays, as well as numerous workshops and performances for children.
For those interested in fostering grassroots arts, the Palace Theatre is home to community and youth theatre groups, including Torbay Acting Factory and Bijou Theatre Productions, that stage multiple performances throughout the year.
13. Paignton Harbour
The town’s picturesque working harbour, dating back to 1847, offers a contrasting atmosphere compared to the upscale marina at Torquay to the north.
Paignton has maintained its traditional charm, avoiding extensive commercial development.
Visitors can observe fishing boats coming and going while strolling along the harbour wall and quay for a closer view.
Near the Harbour Master’s building and the rowing club at South Quay, there exists a cluster of restaurants and bars.
Paignton Harbour serves as a departure point for boat tours around Tor Bay, as well as ferries heading to Torquay and Brixham.
14. Paignton Pier
Piers are iconic features of English seaside resorts, and Paignton Pier has been a prominent landmark since 1879. Similar to nearly all English piers, it has experienced a history marked by fires, losing its pavilion and paddle steamer station to a blaze in 1919. The main pavilion is a popular destination for children, offering attractions such as dodgems, bowling, slides, arcade games, and trampolines.
Visitors can also enjoy ice cream and take in the views back to Paignton Beach and across Tor Bay.
This location serves as an excellent viewpoint for the Torbay Air Show, held on the first weekend of June.
15. Splashdown Quaywest Waterpark
Paignton is home to the largest waterpark in the UK, located adjacent to Goodrington Sands and open from May to September.
Splashdown Quaywest features eight slides, ranging from the exhilarating 22-meter near-vertical Devil’s Drop to the more leisurely Surf Lagoon, a meandering tyre slide along a 130-meter course.
Children aged seven and below are well catered for with the Submarine Adventure and Blennies Tiddler Pool.
The waterpark also includes a traditional swimming pool for those seeking conventional exercise, as well as an amusement arcade, concession stands, and a café with beach views.
