Paignton hotels and self catering cottage accommodation in Paignton

Devon » Paignton accommodation

A Victorian vacation spot for the whole family, Paignton, on the English Riviera, offers a variety of restaurants, cafés, pubs, clubs and places to stay. There’s also a new cinema complex close to the seafront theatre.

The Pier is reminder of the Victorian heyday, while cliff-top gardens and seaside walks light up in the summertime and make for a fine saunter, especially when heading to Quaywest Water Park, Preston Sands, towards Torquay, or Goodrington Sands.

In the old part of town, a little further away from the beach, there’s an interesting church and a single tower from what was once a bishop’s palace. Also of interest is Kirkham House, formerly home to a 14th century priest, and Oldway, the elegant Versailles-style manor that Isaac Singer, of sewing machines fame, built in 1874.

Just outside Paignton you’ll find Compton Castle, property of the National Trust, a haunted, fortified mansion once owned by Sir Humphrey Gilbert, colonizer of Newfoundland and half-brother to Sir Walter Raleigh. Close by are the ruins of Berry Pomeroy Castle, which are surrounded by beautiful woods and full of a mysterious atmosphere.

Perhaps the best known attraction is the state-of-the-art Paignton Zoo, right on Totnes Road. Besides animals, you’ll find a gift shop, many displays and a little lakeside train there. For the actual Paignton and Dartmouth Railway, which goes through Goodrington and Churston up to Kingswear, you’ll need to go to Paignton GWR Station.