Paignton is a seaside town in Devon in the Torbay area, the "English Riviera." The town, which has a history as a fishing village but is also on the railway line, is home to the well-known Paignton Zoo.

Get in edit

By car edit

By bus edit

Stagecoach 12 – Newton Abbot, Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

By train edit

1 Paignton station is on the terminus of the Riviera Line serving Exeter, Starcross, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton. It is also the terminus of the Manchester Piccadilly line to Paignton.

Get around edit

See edit

  • 1 Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, TQ4 7EU, +44 1803 697500.    
  • 2 Kirkham House, Kirkham Street, TQ3 3AX. Jul-Sep: Su 2PM-5PM. Free.    
  • 3 Greenway, Greenway Road, Galmpton, TQ5 0ES, +44 1803 842382, . Greenway is one of many properties owned by world-renowned mystery writer Agatha Christie. The National Trust have painstaking created an atmosphere that allows visitors to get a glimpse into what she would have done in the summer.    

Do edit

Beaches edit

  • 5 Paignton Beach.
  • 6 Fairy Cove Beach.
  • 7 Goodrington Sands, Tanners Road, Goodrington, TQ4 6LN. A major attraction in the area, capable of supporting a very large number of visitors. This mainly sandy beach with clean, calm waters has earned the prestigious Blue Flag Award, and lifeguard patrols in the summer months make for safe swimming conditions.    

Buy edit

Eat edit

As Paignton is a seaside town, you can expect the usual takeaway establishments mainly fish & chip shops, Chinese & Cantonese & Indian cuisines.

Drink edit

  • 1 Inn on the Green, Esplanade Rd, TQ4 6BG, +44 1803 557841, . A pub that offers great drinking atmosphere for the older and more mature people and also offers great views on the sea. Easy access as well.
  • 2 The Inn on the Quay, Tanners Rd, TQ4 6LP, +44 1803 559754. A typical family pub which is owned by Brewers Fayre. This pub offers a fun house for the kids which should in time keep them quiet but also, the pub is right near the beach and also has an arcade and also a large outdoor water slide, so much for the kids to do. Worth a try!
  • 3 The Talk of the Town, 46–52 Torbay Rd, TQ4 6AL, +44 1803 668070. 7AM-midnight. Wetherspoons pub.
  • 4 The Isaac Merritt, 54–58 Torquay Rd, TQ3 3AA, +44 1803 556066. 8AM-midnight. Wetherspoons pub named after Isaac Merritt Singer, a sewing entrepreneur who retired to Oldway Mansion near the town.

Sleep edit

Budget edit

  • 1 The Ratcliffe, 4 Garfield Rd, TQ4 6AU (situated in the heart of Paignton), +44 1803 555894, +44 1803 556106. A distinctive, late Victorian B&B, the Ratcliffe Guest House is run by Kevin and Anna Hunt. They offer a varied and balanced menu for breakfast using home-cooked locally sourced produce. Rooms From £44 per night including breakfast weekly rates and special offers available.
  • 2 Premier Inn, Tanners Rd, Goodrington Sands, TQ4 6LP, +44 871 527 9206. From £34 per night.

Splurge edit

Connect edit

As of Sept 2023, Paignton and its approach roads have 4G from O2 and Vodafone, and 5G from EE and Three.

Go next edit

  • Exeter – City known for its cathedral and university, also the county town of Devon.
  • Torquay – A town with 9 beaches and home of novelist Agatha Christie.
  • Brixham – A small fishing town.
Routes through Paignton
merges with   and    N   S  Brixham
ExeterTorquay  N   S  merges with the  
merges with  Totnes  W   E  merges with the  


This city travel guide to Paignton is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.