A day out in Paignton is the sparkling gem of the crown of the English Riviera.

A day out in Paignton offers entertainment enough for everyone. Fun for the kids? It’s there in bucketloads. Love history? There’s loads of it. Looking for the beach? It has some of the very best. There’s a harbour, a pier, a steam train, a zoo, loads of restaurants and cafes, and miles of footpaths with glorious views.

Here are just some of the places that Paignton has to offer.

Paignton Pier

Is it really a day out in Paignton if you’ve not walked out on the pier? Paignton Pier has provided fun for generations of holidaymakers, with all the traditional ingredients of seaside entertainment. Stroll along the boards, drink in the views and sample a tasty snack. Children love the rides and the amusement arcades.

Entry to the pier is free, so no wonder it’s one of the town’s top attractions – we highly recommend that you schedule it into your visit.

Paignton Zoo – A day out in Paignton must visit!

Loads of fun, with a serious message about protecting our environment and the creatures we share it with. Paignton Zoo provides a home for over 2,000 animals, from towering giraffes to tiny insects.

When they’re not admiring the big cats or being awed by the apes, kids can run around in the jungle play areas. There’s also a nature trail and a wobbly bridge to venture across, looking down on the lemurs.

Dartmouth Steam Railway

Having arrived for your day out in Paignton, maybe you’d like to start another journey – this time on a steam train. The Dartmouth Steam Railway offers trips along the coast of Torbay and along the River Dart, taking you towards Dartmouth. The full return journey includes a ferry ride across to Dartmouth itself.

Sit back and enjoy the ride and the spectacular views. Got a dog? No problem, they can have their own ticket.

Paignton Harbour

For hundreds of years boats have enjoyed the protection of Paignton Harbour. It may not be as big as those of its Devon neighbours, but its size gives it that quaint ‘fishing village’ feel. It’s also off the beaten track taken by many tourists, which enhances the sense of it being a quiet haven.

As with all harbours, there’s always something going on. Enjoy a stroll along the harbour walls or sit back in one of the nearby cafes or restaurants.

Roundham Head walks

One of the finest places to walk during your day out in Paignton is Roundham Head. This headland, not far from the harbour, has plenty of easy walking that offers stunning views along the Devon coast at the heart of the English Riviera. It’s part of the South West Coast Path, the well-signposted route that allows you to walk for miles.

A day out in Paignton has to include the beaches!

Families can’t get enough of the beaches during their day out in Paignton. It’s easy to while away the days on the sand and in the water – swimming, splashing and sun bathing. These is our pick of the Paignton beaches.

Goodrington Sands

Backed by the inspirational sight of classic steam trains, the beach at Goodrington is a delight. There are plenty of places nearby to get ice cream, essential for any day at the seaside. As with so many other beaches in this part of Devon, it’s won a prestigious Blue Flag award for cleanliness.

Paignton beach

Sand, shells and gentle surf. Popular with families because it’s so shallow and access is easy. There’s plenty to do, including hiring pedalos or taking a stroll up to and along the nearby pier. It’s a big beach, around a mile long, and as the tide goes out it exposes a huge area of smooth sand.

Broadsands beach

Another Blue Flag award-winning beach, Broadsands is a little further from the centre of Paignton. It offers the usual, simple seaside pleasures of wide sands that shelve gently towards the sea. The usual facilities are nearby, making it easy to spend a full day there.

Restaurants and cafes in Paignton

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to finding somewhere to eat in during your day out in Paignton. Fish and chips are an obvious menu-topper when you’re at the seaside, but if that’s not your thing, there’s something for everyone’s taste. Here are some options to get you started.

Harbour Light

You can’t get any closer to the harbour than this. Enjoy classic English pub fare in a unique setting. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, giving you fabulous views. It’s easy to see why this is one of the top-rated places to enjoy food and drink in Paignton.

Mariners Fish and Chips

Set a few roads back from the beach, Mariners has a reputation for the best fish and chips in town. They offer gluten-free fish and chips, including gluten-free vinegar, and you can choose to eat in or take away.

Cafe Verde

This little cafe near Paignton Harbour gets the thumbs up from us. It’s one of the best places in town to get a coffee or a daytime snack, and it’s very close to the main attractions. Enjoy a Devon cream tea in the garden as you look out across the bay.

So many of our guests keep coming back for a day out in Paignton, because it really is such a gem. Discover it for yourself by booking a holiday with us. You can do that today by calling 01803 843887 or booking online.