Things to do in Paignton
Considered the family hub of the English Riviera, Paignton is a great place to base yourself for a family holiday in Devon. Right on your doorstep you will see a long stretch of sandy beach, a promenade, traditional pier, colourful beach huts and even palm trees. With a train station and regular bus and coach services Paignton is the perfect place to explore Devon from but you may prefer to stay closer to home as there is plenty to do in the town.
Explore the South West Coast Path
One of the main draws of Paignton is the beautiful scenery and there is no better way to absorb it than on the stunning South West Coast Path stretching to Minehead on one end and Penzance on the other with plenty of shorter trips along the way. If you prefer a more leisurely walk why not visit Paignton Pier where you’ll find plenty of fun activities for the whole family. Enjoy the amusement arcade and choice of rides, have a go at mini-golf or have a stroll along the structure taking in the views of the bay.
Fun family-friendly attractions
An always popular place for children and adults alike is Paignton Zoo, as well as being home to over 2500 animals the zoo also offers a whole host of activities and is set within 80 acres of beautiful parkland. If you are looking for a more active day out, then head to the coastline for some water sports. You can try your hand at kayaking, paddle boarding, water-skiing, wakeboarding and scuba diving or if you're looking for a more sedate excursion on the water why not take a boat trip over to Torquay or even try out a fishing trip or wildlife cruise in the bay. If you still need to tire out the little ones don't miss the Geoplay Park on the Paignton Seafront. There are areas for a range of ages; the toddler area has a climbing hut, trampoline and spinner bowls. The junior area has a giant climbing net to challenge those scrambling skills and the sand and water play area has a purpose-built water channel, digging equipment and tables for sand play.
Paignton is part of England's Seafood Coast and you can always find restaurants serving fresh fish caught in the nearby waters. The town has a collection of award-winning restaurants as well as bars and cafes to keep you fed at all hours of the day, you could even try the famous Paignton Pudding which was featured on the Great British Bake Off back in 2014. Pair your dinner with a show at the theatre or take in a live music performance at one of the towns many venues. Take a look at the events calendar to get involved with the towns many annual events from the UK's oldest children's festival to the Torbay Air Show.
If you fancy a day out from Paignton why not take a ride on the steam train? Running from Paignton Train Station, you can go on a voyage of discovery along stunning coves and beaches. You can take the train or a riverboat cruise over to Agatha Christie's famous residence or visit the nearby Torquay or Newton Abbot.
Whether it's a day of play by the sea or a cultural excursion you can find plenty to do in and around Paignton.
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