Devon and Cornwall aren’t short of towns and villages with real star power, but Paignton is undoubtedly one of the jewels in the Cornish crown. An Instagram-perfect town with several golden beaches, a stylish harbour and a bustling town-centre packed with bars, cafés, restaurants, high street brands and independent outlets, it’s one of our favourite south coast resorts. There’s plenty to do as well apart from admiring the English Riviera views: from the local zoo to the UK’s largest outdoor water park to sprawling country parks untouched for centuries and the week-long summer carnival, you’re never far from your next adventure, activity or family day out. And our two Paignton hotels are well-placed to take in all the action.
Things to do in Paignton
Entertainment
The Devon coastal town has some of the best beaches in the region, with one of them right on the doorstep of our Paignton Seafront hotel. Once you’ve brushed the sand off, head to the 100-year old Paignton Festival or get your cultural fix at the Palace Theatre.
Shopping
The main shopping centre in town is in need of major refurbishment, so the best shopping in Paignton can be found in the centre of town along Torbay Road and Torquay Road, packed with high street stores, big-name brands and plenty of independent outlets. Local stores to check out include This Is It Stores, where you can pick up anything and everything and the Paignton Model Shop, perfect for picking up new model kits, paints and accessories.
Getting Around
Less than 30 miles from Paignton, Exeter Airport is an international airport that welcomes around one million passengers each year flying to a variety of domestic and European terminals. Going by car takes around 30 minutes, while the bus into Exeter and then the connecting service to the airport will take just under two hours. Alternatively, make your journey even easier by staying the night before you travel at one of our hotels near Exeter Airport.
The largest nearby airport is Bristol Airport, around 90 minutes by car and just under two hours via a regular and direct train service. The ninth-busiest airport in the UK, it handles around 10 million passengers each year flying to a wide array of destinations across the UK, Europe and North Africa.
The final destination on the Riviera Line from Exeter, Paignton Railway Station is a two-platform terminal in the centre of town with regular services to Exeter, Exmouth, London Paddington and Cardiff. The station is also the departure point for the Dartmouth Steam Railway, a popular tourist attraction.
Shopping in Paignton
