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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.
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 Adventure Family & Attractions try Reach Outdoors. Nature try Point Field Smallholding C.I.C and HOLT. Sauna. Park & Garden Nature try Paignton Green. Live Music Entertainment try Spinning Wheel Inn. Bakery Shopping try Hallett's the Bakers.
Travel Wellness Family & Attractions For Kids Food & Drink Entertainment Activities Nature Accommodation Shopping Arts and Culture
The Spud Shack & The Grill Shack
The Spud Shack & The Grill Shack. 81-89 Torbay Road Paignton TQ4 6AJ
The Spud Shack & The Grill Shack offers a delicious selection of freshly prepared comfort food, combining loaded baked potatoes, crispy fries, and hearty toppings with a range of grilled favourites. Customers can enjoy juicy burgers, grilled meats, hot dogs, and flavour-packed sides, all made with quality ingredients and cooked to order. Whether you're looking for a satisfying lunch, a quick bite, or a family meal, The Spud Shack & The Grill Shack serves generous portions, great flavours, and friendly service in a welcoming atmosphere.
Paignton Green
A large seaside public space on the English Riviera. It serves as a central hub for major community festivals, family entertainment, and recreational activities.
Cafe Bay-Side
Fancy a Fresh barista coffee with high grade organic coffee beans? Or maybe a Beautiful Toastie? We’ve got you covered Offering a wide range of lovely Coffee freshly handmade toasty Cookie Pie’s doughnut chips ice cold coolers plus many more
The Local Gastro Bar
30B Torbay Road, Paignton, TQ4 6AL
Paignton's first gastro bar and grill on Torbay Road, serving elevated pub food, craft drinks and Sunday roasts in a relaxed setting.
Shoreline
Eastern Esplanade, Paignton, TQ4 6AG
A modern glass-fronted restaurant on the seafront at Paignton Beach, offering global classics with stunning bay views and live music.
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 Pub Food & Drink try Mermaid LIVE DJ - SATURDAY (The Mermaid) and Mermaid LIVE DJ - FRIDAY (The Mermaid). Nightclub Entertainment try SOHO LIVE DJ - SATURDAY (Soho) and SOHO LIVE DJ - FRIDAY (Soho).
Family & Attractions For Kids Food & Drink Entertainment Activities Educational Arts and Culture
Mermaid LIVE DJ - FRIDAY
Hosted by The Mermaid
The Mermaid, 2 King Street Brixham TQ5 9TF
18 September 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
18 September 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
19 September 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
19 September 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
20 September 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
25 September 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 Restaurant Food & Drink try Lark Meadows. Games Entertainment try Lark Meadows. Quiz Entertainment try Lark Meadows. Entertainment try Lark Meadows and Beverley Holidays. Takeaway Food & Drink try Lark Meadows.
Family & Attractions For Kids Food & Drink Entertainment Accommodation
Beverley Holidays
Goodrington Road, Paignton TQ4 7JE
Award-winning family-run holiday park offering camping, touring, lodge and caravan holidays.
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.
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
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