Things to Do in Paignton
Go to listing ↓Paignton is a classic English seaside town, built around a long sandy beach, a Victorian pier and a harbour that still keeps up the traditional resort feel Torbay is known for. It's one of the more traditionally family-oriented towns on the bay.
The town's attractions lean into that family appeal — Paignton Zoo, the seafront green, and the steam railway that runs along the coast to Kingswear all make it an easy base for a classic seaside holiday.
Paignton also sits on the English Riviera Geopark coastline, with red sandstone cliffs and coastal walks bookending its beach — a quieter, more traditional counterpart to Torquay just along the bay.
Paignton History
Paignton appears in the Domesday Book as a small fishing and farming settlement on the shore of Tor Bay, and remained a relatively quiet village for much of its early history. Its transformation into a seaside resort followed the arrival of the railway in the 19th century, which suddenly made Paignton's long sandy beach easily reachable for visitors and set the town on a path toward becoming one of the English Riviera's classic family holiday destinations.
Much of the Victorian seafront character survives today, including Paignton Pier, a long-standing focal point of the seafront since the 19th century. The town later added Paignton Zoo, one of the South West's best-known attractions, and the preserved Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway, a heritage line that follows the coast and estuary using much of the original Victorian-era track. Together they give Paignton a strong sense of its own resort history that's still very much part of a visit today.
Latest News in Paignton
1 recent updates in Paignton, spanning Food & Drink and Entertainment, updated live by local businesses.
Beaujolais Nouveau
Hosted by Creek at Dolphin Boatyard
Dolphin Boatyard Kiln Road Galmpton TQ5 0EH
19 November 2026
Join us at The Creek, Galmpton for a fabulous French filled evening of wine, food, music & fun! 🇫🇷🥂 🍷 Beaujolais Nouveau 🧀 French inspired buffet 🎲 Games & prizes 🎸 Live music from Schofield 📅 THURSDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 🎟️ £30 PER PERSON
Places to visit in Paignton
40 places to visit in Paignton, spanning Food & Drink, Nature and Family & Attractions, updated live by local businesses.
Some suggestions for Places to visit in Paignton: For Theatre Entertainment try Palace Theatre. Arts & Craft Shopping try Dolphin Boatyard. Takeaway Food & Drink try Gurkha's Diner, The Spud Shack & The Grill Shack, Pier Chippy Co and East in the West. Adventure Family & Attractions try Reach Outdoors. Lake & River Nature try Dolphin Boatyard.
Travel Wellness Family & Attractions For Kids Food & Drink Entertainment Activities Nature Accommodation Shopping Arts and Culture
HOLT. Sauna
a wood-fired coastal sauna, right in the middle of broadsands beach! swim in the sea, heat up in the sauna, take in the views from our one-of-a-kind hexagonal window and wash it all off in the outdoor shower. wellbeing is what the HOLT. experience is all about.
Grand Central Bar
51 Torbay Road, Paignton, TQ4 6AJ
Paignton's go-to gastro sports bar open from 8am, with live sport, craft beers and freshly cooked food all day every day.
Gurkha's Diner
52 Victoria Street, Paignton, TQ4 5DS
An authentic Nepalese and Indian restaurant on Victoria Street, bringing the rich flavours of the Himalayas to Paignton.
Creek at Dolphin Boatyard
Galmpton Creek Dartside Quay Galmpton TQ5 0EH
The Creek at Dolphin Boatyard, TQ5 0EH Riverside Bar & Kitchen Relax by the water with wood fired pizzas, nibbles, Sunday roasts, cold drinks, and great vibes. A beautiful spot for casual dining.
Franx Lifestyle Cafe
343 Torquay Road, Paignton, TQ3 2EP
A cosy independent coffeehouse and wine bar on Torquay Road serving locally sourced coffee, fresh food and in-house baked goods.
Rock and Moor
We specialise in outdoor adventures: expertly guided rock climbing, caving, hiking, scrambling and mountaineering, rock climbing skills coaching, hill and moorland navigation training and other outdoor skills development. Based in beautiful South Devon, we cover areas such as Dartmoor, Cornwall, Somerset, the Westcountry coast as well as mountainous areas in the UK. We provide personalised activities for individuals, couples, friends, small groups and families. Importantly, we keep our instructor to client ratio small, enabling you to have the most valuable, authentic and enjoyable adventure experience.
What's On in Paignton
276 events to attend in Paignton, spanning Food & Drink, Entertainment and Educational, updated live by local businesses.
Some suggestions for What's On in Paignton: For Nightclub Entertainment try Mermaid LIVE DJ - FRIDAY (The Mermaid) and SOHO LIVE DJ - SATURDAY (Soho). Pub Food & Drink try SOHO LIVE DJ - SATURDAY (Soho) and Mermaid LIVE MUSIC - SUNDAY (The Mermaid).
For Kids Food & Drink Entertainment Educational Arts and Culture
Mermaid LIVE DJ - FRIDAY
Hosted by The Mermaid
The Mermaid, 2 King Street Brixham TQ5 9TF
16 October 2026
Mermaid LIVE DJ - FRIDAY is a Nightclub in Brixham.
SOHO LIVE DJ - FRIDAY
Hosted by Soho
1 Palk Street, Torquay, United Kingdom, TQ2 5EL
16 October 2026
SOHO LIVE DJ - FRIDAY is a Nightclub in Torquay.
SOHO LIVE DJ - SATURDAY
Hosted by Soho
1 Palk Street, Torquay, United Kingdom, TQ2 5EL
17 October 2026
SOHO LIVE DJ - SATURDAY is a Nightclub in Torquay.
Mermaid LIVE DJ - SATURDAY
Hosted by The Mermaid
The Mermaid, 2 King Street Brixham TQ5 9TF
17 October 2026
Mermaid LIVE DJ - SATURDAY is a Nightclub in Brixham.
Mermaid LIVE MUSIC - SUNDAY
Hosted by The Mermaid
The Mermaid, 2 King Street Brixham TQ5 9TF
18 October 2026
Mermaid LIVE MUSIC - SUNDAY is a Live Music in Brixham.
Mermaid LIVE DJ - FRIDAY
Hosted by The Mermaid
The Mermaid, 2 King Street Brixham TQ5 9TF
23 October 2026
Mermaid LIVE DJ - FRIDAY is a Nightclub in Brixham.
Ways to get about in Paignton
1 ways to get about in Paignton, spanning Travel, updated live by local businesses.
Some suggestions for Ways to get about in Paignton: For Train Travel try Paignton Train Station.
Paignton Train Station
Paignton station, Station Square, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 5EF
Paignton Train Station is a Train in Paignton.
Places to stay in Paignton
3 places to stay in Paignton, spanning For Kids, Food & Drink and Entertainment, updated live by local businesses.
Some suggestions for Places to stay in Paignton: For Live Music Entertainment try Lark Meadows. Restaurant Food & Drink try Lark Meadows. Shows Entertainment try Lark Meadows. Takeaway Food & Drink try Lark Meadows. Quiz Entertainment try Lark Meadows.
Family & Attractions For Kids Food & Drink Entertainment Accommodation
The Clifton At Paignton
The Clifton At Paignton 9-10 Kernou Road Paignton TQ4 6BA
The Clifton at Paignton bed and breakfast is located in the heart of Torbay, which is considered to be the English Riviera. Paignton is a beautiful place to visit, with its safe, sandy beaches.
Lark Meadows
Hoburne Holiday Park Grange Road Paignton TQ4 7JP
Come and stay in our holiday home, 3 bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, seating area, lounge and wrap around decking.
Beverley Holidays
Goodrington Road, Paignton TQ4 7JE
Award-winning family-run holiday park offering camping, touring, lodge and caravan holidays.
Offers in Paignton
1 offers in Paignton, spanning Offers, updated live by local businesses.
Some suggestions for Offers in Paignton: For Offers try Get Your FREE Listing Today (Mapzest).
Get Your FREE Listing Today
Hosted by Mapzest
1 June 2026
Promote your business or attraction to tourists and residents with a free listing on Mapzest - the community powered tour guide
For Android and iOS - Unlock the full "Things to Do in Paignton" experience
- Works Offline
- Live Updates
- Event Schedule
- Favourites
- Itinerary
- Interactive Map
- + More
Follow news in Paignton RSS JSON All Mapzest feeds