PAIGNTON TOWN

 
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AROUND & ABOUT PAIGNTON

 

Paignton courtesy English Riviera Tourism

 

 Paignton lies in the centre of the Tor Bay coastline, with Torquay to the north and Brixham to the
south. The "bay" covers 22 miles of varied coastline, ranging from rugged cliffs to sandy beaches.

On a relatively flat coastal plain, surrounded by low cliffs, Paignton was first settled in the 7th
century by a Saxon named Paega. The settlement was centred on the "Well" (Well St near the
Parish Church) - the land between here and the present beach-line was marshland. Fisher St, with
Paignton's oldest pub ("Torbay Inn"), was then the site of the local fish market.

In the Middle Ages, the Bishop of Exeter chose Paignton as a holiday home but the present resort's
development can be traced back to the 19th century and the arrival of the railway.
Four ancient buildings survive in Paignton: "Kirkham House" - the greater part dates from the
late 1300's and is one of the finest example of a medieval town house; "The Clink" - last used
as a prison in 1867, consists of 2 small cells (1500's); "Bishops's Tower" - remains (1072) of the
fortifications of the Bishop of Exeter's palace; "Parish Church" - the basis of the present
present structure was laid in 1200's

Oldway Mansion was designed by Isaac Singer (inventor of the sewing machine) and started in 1873.
The son, Paris, finished the building (1909), having taken many design considerations from the
Palace of Versailles. The building was used as a WWI military hospital and WWII RAF Academy.
Oldway courtesy English Riviera Tourism
Paignton Harbour courtesy English Riviera Tourism

 

 Paignton Sands and The Green behind the "Sands" remains the centre for most of the towns
celebrations, festivals and events: Fairs; Bike Festival & Nights; Charity Fetes; Athletics;
Classic Vehicle Rallies; Torbay Carnival; Paignton Regatta (including music and fireworks);
Children's Week; and sailing regattas.

Paignton Harbour provides endless hours of entertainment: pleasure boats plying their trade
ferrying visitors out into Tor Bay and on to Torquay, Brixham and Dartmouth: fishing boats on
mackeral fishing excursions or wreck-fishing off the Skerries; dinghy sailors setting-off for
their races; or you can hire a boat and explore Paignton from the sea.
One of the South West's few piers can be found off Paignton Sands. Built in 1879, the pier
now contains the inevitable arcade amusements but visitors can still enjoy a nostalgic walk
out across the water, with the waves, visible through the decking, sweeping across the sands.
There are magnificant views of Torbay from the end of the pier and a chance to watch the
surfers, sailors, and pleasure boats.

Paignton Sands has a growing reputation for sail-boarding (including kiting) and surfing, but
these activities are best practiced in Spring and Autumn as Summer high pressure conditions do
not produce the right wind and wave combinations.

 
Paignton Pier courtesy English Riviera Tourism
Fun on the Water courtesy English Riviera Tourism

 

 To-day, Paignton has all the resources readily available for a memorable family holiday:
  • Excellent beaches plus several small coves
  • Attractions that appeal to both children and adults
  • Activities that appeal to both the sedatory or hyper-active
    • Sunbathing or exploring rock-pools
    • Go-karting or paragliding
    • Sailing, water-skiing or "Ringo-rides"

 

Paignton Accommodation

 
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