The English Riviera: Fun by the Sea in Paignton, Devon

In the heart of the English Riviera, lies one of the most spectacular towns along the South Coast. Paignton is a hugely popular tourist spot due to its gorgeous beach and thriving town center. It combines the usual high street stores with some of the coolest gift shops you will ever see. It boasts great views, great dining places and more activities than you can fit into one day, so if you are in the area, prepare to stay for a few days to fit it all in!

Shopping

One of the highlights of visiting Paignton is the enormous variety of shops. The main car park is just on the edge of the town, but almost exactly in the center. When you reach the main street, turning right will take you to everyday stores and turning left will take you into tourist heaven. This is where all of the gift shops are located. For visitors, this is the best place to go to find souvenirs, cheap beach clothing and toys, and silly things you will never use, but want anyway. It would be very easy to spend two hours just taking in everything these shops have to offer, and not even see the time slipping by!

Paignton Pier

As you reach the end of the tourist half of the town, you can't miss the enormous grass area which often hosts a funfair and donkey rides during the summer months. Just beyond that, you will get a stunning view of the sea, and Paignton Pier. A walk along the pier is fun for kids who will undoubtedly want to play on some of the coin slot machines and other arcade games such as Whack-a-Mole and Air Hockey. Once you reach the end of the pier, you will get a breathtaking view of the English Riviera, the calming sea and the town of Paignton. It is an excellent place to take photos to keep as a memory of your time there.

Steam Railway and Cruise

If you don't want to do too much walking, hop on a steam train and take a tour of the coast and countryside. The train leaves from Paington Station and travels to Kingswear. You then take a ferry to the historic town of Dartmouth for a harbour cruise, then return back to Paignton. This is a lovely way to take a look around some of Devon's prettiest towns without having to walk or drive for miles to get there.

Paignton Apollo Cinema

I know what you're thinking. Why go to the cinema when you want to explore? The truth is, you probably don't. However, if it rains unexpectedly, the cinema in Paignton is a good place to run for cover and watch a movie in luxury. It is located directly between the end of the main tourist street and the beach so there is no way you can miss it. With multiple screens showing movies all day long, you are sure to be able to catch something that appeals to you all.

Places to eat

It would be impossible to choose a stand alone dining place in Paignton because there are just so many. There are multiple fish and chips cafes and kiosks scattered in the tourist half of town, and on the pier too. There are also seafood kiosks, as well as regular fast food restaurants and cafes at the top of the town. If you prefer something a little more formal, there are masses of hotels lining the seafront, many of which provide lunches to day visitors.

If you can only make one stop in South Devon, Paignton is one of the best choices for a visit. It has a very traditional English beach postcard feel to it, making it lots of fun for everyone!