What To Do, Where To Go and What to See When Visiting Paignton
Your Essential Guide to Paignton & it’s surrounding areas. By Claire Tucker-Mawr
Welcome to “ What to do, Where to Go & What to See When visiting Paignton” where you’ll find 7 essential tips on what you absolutely need to know when planning your next trip to Paignton.
Hello! I’m Claire, and my husband & I run our own B&B, “Beaches Guest House” in the heart of Paignton just a moment from the beach and we welcome guests from all over the world. We hope to be able to welcome you too, very soon.
Warm Regards,
Claire & Ged
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
http://www,beachesbandb.co.uk
This guide is designed to help you get the most out of your trip to Paignton so here’s what you’ll find inside:
1. Shopping -where are the best places to visit?
2. Events & Festivals– what are they & when?
3. Days Out– where can I visit?
4. Restaurants -best places to eat out?
5. Getting around – what you need to know
6. What if I want to play Golf– no problem
7. Taking a hike-where are the scenic walks?
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
1. Where can I go shopping?
There are many places around Paignton where you can happily while away the hours in retail therapy, finding that perfect keepsake to take home.
Totnes (see pic above) is an unique & vibrant market town, quirky and refreshingly different with a fantastic selection of individual & specialist shops to visit. Friday & Saturdays has a market place with bargains, crafts & collectibles. Clothes shopping away from the traditional high street outlets with more quirky, individualistic pieces sold in boutique style shops. Ethical shopping is part of the shopping experience here with handmade & ethically sourced gifts.
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
Dartington Shops Totnes Not your usual retail outlet. Here you will find a really nice range of small businesses from arts and crafts, bespoke food, glassware & clothes shops. This is the home of Dartington Crystal.
Cockington Court near Torquay.
Here you can purchase high quality crafts direct from over 20 skilled artists and craft makers who display their wares in the Craft Studios. A hub for the arts & crafts, alongside works of art from the glassblower, handmade chocolates from the chocolatier, & gifts forged from the blacksmith.
Trago Mills Discount Shopping & Family Fun Park Newton Abbott
Trago Mills is a family-friendly discount retailer and leisure park. Located conveniently just off the A38. This retail park boasts over 200,000 products across 38 departments including furniture, clothing, DIY, carpets, toys, sports, fitted kitchens, soft furnishings, home wares, equestrian, gardening…and more.
Exeter & Plymouth
Within an hour’s drive are the cities of Exeter (see pic above) & Plymouth. If you want the best of the high street or to indulge in some designer goods then head to Drake Circus in Plymouth or the multi million pound shopping development of Princess hay in Exeter.
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
2.What Events & Festivals are on and when?
Torbay Airshow A hugely popular weekend held in June Using the Bay’s stunning natural amphitheatre for the displays. Top teams such as The Red Arrows, The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Euro fighter Typhoon jet & RAF aerobatics team.
BMAD Bike Beer & Music Festival (Bikers Making a Difference)
1000’s bikers come from far and wide to the seafront in Paignton. This is held in May and it includes a bike show, a weekend of bands, varieties of beers & ciders & trade stands. It is a charitable event raising money for disadvantaged young people in the TQ area.
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
Train of Lights- Paignton- Kingswear
This event is on throughout the month of December. A spectacular illuminated journey in the steam train’s vintage carriages decorated with 1000’s of lights. A magical journey through the 450-metre technicolour Greenway tunnel & on through the enchanted forest.
Agatha Christie Festival
A weekend celebrating the birthday of Agatha Christie South Devon’s famous icon which falls in the middle of September. The weekend hosts a series of literary talks, fascinating exhibitions, workshops, performances, a murder mystery escape room, film screenings, guided walks, a vintage swim and a period garden party.
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
3. Days out in & around Paignton
Dartmouth Steam Railway & Riverboat
Take a ride on the steam train leaving from Paignton, a boat trip, a paddle steamer or all three! An attraction in Devon that lets you enjoy the delights of Torquay, Paignton, Brixham, Dartmouth and the River Dart, Kingswear and Totnes all in one day.
Paignton Zoo
Over 2500 animals across 80 acres of beautiful grounds, this is one of the South West’s most exciting visitor attractions and one of Britain’s top zoos. From nature trails to taking a trip on the jungle express train around the animals, watching the birds of prey & walking with lemurs.
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
Living Coasts
Living Coasts is a coastal & is part of the Whitely Wildlife Conservation Trust, It is based around seabirds and other coastal wildlife. It has many attractions including a penguin beach, tropical mangrove swamp and under viewing area.
Cockington Country Park Cockington Country Park is in the centre of the picturesque village of Cockington near to the seafront of Torquay. Easy access with paths the Country Park is free to walk around and features beautiful formal gardens, lakes and woodlands .For refreshment Cockington Court and Cafe are nearby, along with a collection of craft studios where you can browse the creations of local artists and crafts people.
Babbacombe Downs & Cliff Railway
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
Another favourite with holiday makers is Babbacombe Downs. This is the highest cliff top promenade in England with beautiful lawns & floral displays & stunning scenery to enjoy. On a clear day you can see over to the Dorset headland & view Portland Bill. The fully restored 1926 funicular railway, links Babbacombe downs to the delightful Oddicombe beach where there’s a visitor centre & tea rooms.
4.Restaurants
Tj’s Restaurant This is a licensed café bistro situated within Paignton harbour. It has an outdoor terrace & dining room with great views of the stunning coastline out to Torquay. Rustic fine dining utlising fresh & local produce.
The Boathouse Bar & Grill Situated on Preston Sands in Paignton the Boathouse is a family run bar & restaurant with an informal & relaxed atmosphere. It often has live entertainment to enjoy with panoramic views across the Bay.
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
East in the West Both elegant & stylish this popular restaurant Indian restaurant is situated in Paignton town.
Olive Tapas Style Eatery Overlooking the harbour in Paignton this restaurant specialises in tapas, mezes & antipasto dishes. Informal & relaxed style of dining.
The Orange Tree Restaurant If fine dining is what you’re looking for this restaurant offers this just a few minutes from Paignton in Torquay. A la carte menu.
La Scala A family run restaurant serving authentic dishes of Mediterrean & specifically Italian origin. Meat, fish, chicken, pasta & vegetarian.
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
Paignton Pier Chippy Co A traditional fish & chip restaurant & takeaway situated on the pier in Paignton.
Thai Garden Restaurant Authentic Thai dishes served by Thai chefs trained in Thailand. Situated in the heart of Paignton close to Paignton theatre.
Cantina A family run business next to Goodrington Sands Paignton. A relaxed family friendly dining experience using locally sourced food. Thursdays & Sundays have live music.
5. Transport….Getting Around
Airports
Bristol Airport- Paignton 2hrs 45 mins (Bus) National Express
Paignton-Bristol Temple Meads (Train) Bristol Temple Meads-Bristol Airport (Bus) 2hrs 57 mins
Exeter Airport- Paignton 1hr 52 mins (National Express)
Paignton -Exeter St David’s (Train)-50 mins, Exeter St David’s- Exeter Airport (Train)-35mins
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
Ferries
Plymouth Brittany Ferry Port –Paignton 40 miles (car) via A38/A385 Train 1 hr 17 mins Change at Newton Abbott Bus 55 mins National Express & Mega Bus
Portsmouth Ferry Port –Paignton 3hr 5min (Car) via A35
5hrs 38 mins (Train)- (2 changes) Salisbury & Exeter St David’s (SW railway, Great Western railway & Southerncross county)
Taxis
Price First Taxis (get price before journey) 01803 322322 Torbay Taxis Ltd 01803 211611
BUSES
Brixham-Paignton-Torquay-Newton Abbott (Number 12 bus route.) Bus Stand 14 Paignton
Torquay-Paignton-Kingswear via Goodrington & Churston Number 120 bus route) Bus Stand 10 Paignton
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
6. Walks
Paignton-Occombe farm via Cockington Village
With the sea on your right follow the Torquay coast road towards Torquay. Turn left into Cockington Lane going inland before The Livermead. Beyond the roundabout you will see a gate leading into the water meadows, an enchanting one mile woodland walk which leads to the picturesque thatched village of Cockington. Continue on into the 450 acre Cockington Country Park, with its ornamental gardens and lakes. If you’re looking to walk further a five mile woodland trek will take you through Scadson Woods towards Occombe Farm, on the outskirts of Paignton. Buses run regularly from Occombe farm car park back to Paignton.
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
Berry head to Sharkham Point 1.6 miles Start at the carpark entrance at Berry Head with the fort to your left. The path follows the road briefly before veering to the left. Climb the style & walk to a set of railings & rest on the benches for a great view of St Marys Bay. The route then climbs around the back of the Bay giving views of both headlands. Here you will find some steps & slope to take you access to the beach. Follow the coastal walk to Sharpham Point a capped & grassed previous thriving industrial site in the 20th Century. For further info on Berry Head CLICK HERE
Paignton-Brixham 5.5 miles Start at the harbour through the cliff top gardens & onto Goodrington Sands. Pass the holiday park to Cheriton Point & Elberry cove. Berry head can be seen to the right & Brixham to the far left. Elberry cove is famous for its concentration of seagrass & a habitat for the likes of sea horses. Climb up from the cove into Marriage woods & on to Fishcombe Point above Churston Cove. Pass Battery gardens into the picturesque town of Brixham.
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
7.Golf
Churston Golf Club. This 18 hole course has stunning views of the Torbay coast & is known as one of Devon’s best kept secrets. It was opened in1890 with land provided by Lord Churston. Surrounded by sycamore trees which being salt resistant add protection to the other trees along the course.
Torbay Golf centre A high quality driving range with 28 undercover bays & six outside bays. This driving range has the fun factor with unique targets such as a yellow van, collection of tyres, rugby posts & trampoline. Also a short game practice area with three tees and greens and a bunker.
Cayman Golf Club A family run 18 hole course in 9 acres of picturesque Devonshire countryside on the outskirts of Brixham. Specialising in the traditional pitch ‘n’ putt golf & using Cayman golf balls.
Bovey Castle Golf Club Dartmoor A sister course to Gleneagles & Turnberry this challenging 18 hole championship course has picturesque views of Bovey Tracey & Dartmoor & is nestled in the hills of South Devon.
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading, and that I’ve inspired you to come and visit Paignton. Please do take a look at our website at http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk
We look forward to welcoming you to your home from home in Paignton very soon and of course if you have any questions I would love to hear from you.
Website:http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +33 1803 665448
FB Page: [email protected]
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448
Claire Tucker-Mawr http://www.beachesbandb.co.uk 01803665448