Paignton Things to Do

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The Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway is a popular tourist attraction which can be extended to include the 'Round Robin'.
People often mistakenly think that the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway starts from Paignton main line station but in fact it's a private enterprise and has its own platform and booking office on the Torbay Road side of the level crossing (see photo).
The journey from Paignton includes stops at Goodrington, Churston, Greenway and finally Kingswear. Greenway is a new stop for 2012 which is ideal if you want to visit Agatha Christies House.
At Kingswear many people then take the ferry over to Dartmouth and return by steam train to Paignton.
The 'Round Robin' ticket though allows you to take the ferry over to Dartmouth, a river trip up the Dart to Totnes and then an open top bus ride back to Paignton. There's no doubt it's a great way to see the local area which you can do by starting your journey at Dartmouth or Totnes as well as Paignton. Check out the website below which has all the information you need and more.

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When British Rail decided to close the section of its railway between Paignton and Kingswear in the late 1960's the commercial Dart Valley Railway Company took it over to run as a heritage tourist attraction.

The company has gone from strength to strength and now offers boat cruises and open-top bus tours as well. Now known as the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company it offers various combinations of days out during its April to October season, centred around the steam train journey from Paignton to Kingswear.

During its high season the company runs 9 trains a day each way between Paignton and Kingswear with a journey time of 30 minutes. From Kingswear you can get a ferry (run by the same company) across to the historic naval town of Dartmouth. 2010 fares start from a basic £10 adult return and there are several fare options including family tickets.

This is something I haven't, as yet, done but is definitely on my list.

For details visit the website.

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Paignton's origins were as a fishing village and the "earliest documentary reference to the harbour is in the Survey of 1567: "Land lying at Rowneham ... which they hold for the convenience of fishermen as a market place for the sale of fish"." (from website below).

The modern harbour was constructed in 1837 for use by both fishermen and cargo vessels and the first cargoes landed in 1839. It was probably quite a successful small port in those days, requiring a customs house, and with two quays each with their own slipways.

During World War I the port was used for conversion of pleasure craft for war use and even some Royal Naval whalers were built here.

In 1936 the Paignton Town Council bought out the private harbour company and must have been intending to develope it as part of the tourism infrastructure - the customs house being converted into public toilets.

However the present-day harbour seems to have slipped from the Torbay Council's radar and it doesn't even get a mention in recent guide leaflets. It is tho' still popular with local pleasure craft and rowing clubs and the small beach at Fairy Cove is a delight if you want to escape the madding crowds.

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One thing that makes Paignton a popular family resort is its gently sloping beaches with their fine sand and clean waters. During the summer the beaches have plenty of amenites including pedalos, deck chairs etc and all have lifeguards and first aid facilities.

The main beach in town is Paignton Sands which fronts the legnth of the promenade on both sides of the pier. With its location close to the town this is obviously the most popular. Other beaches with similar facilites include Goodrington Sands and Broadsands, repectively a mile or so and a couple of miles along the coast towards Brixham. Both of these are accessible using the Southwest Coastal Path, the local #12 Bayrider bus or by private motor vehicle.

As well as these main beaches there are plenty of less easily accessible little coves off the coastal path which the more adventurous might want to seek out.

This circular route is an initiative by the local council and NHS to encourage locals and visitors alike to adopt a healthier lifestyle by walking, jogging, running or cycling around the town and its immediate environs. The "Green Mile" is so-called because it is a circular mile (1.02 to be exact) around the town's seafront Green which takes you from the harbour along the seafront and past the pier, taking in several of the town's highlights. There are nine distance markers set 220 yards apart and so participants can set themselves challenges whether by distance or speed.

They told me, a disabled man, to leave or they would 'make me more crippled than i already am' when i complained that they overcharged me, and they would not refund me even though they admitted it was their mistake.

They told me, a disabled man, to leave or they would 'make me more crippled than i already am' when i complained that they overcharged me, and they would not refund me even though they admitted it was their mistake.

Paignton Zoo is one of the nicest zoos that I have been to in England.

Most of the enclosures are landscaped to imitate the animals natural habitats as close as possible.

Open every day except Christmas Day

Opening Times:
10.00am until 6.00pm during the Summer
10.00am until dusk during the Winter

TO BE CONTINUED