Holidays in Paignton

More around Paignton

Paignton sits on the Torbay coast in Devon, and it makes a sensible base for a holiday because it does two things well: it has a genuine headline attraction of its own, and it sits within reach of a good spread of castles, gardens, small museums and family places. There are 314 places to stay in the region on BritStays, so you can pick a base that suits how you want to spend your days rather than working around a fixed plan.

The big family days out

Paignton Zoo is the obvious starting point, and it is the sort of place that fills most of a day rather than an hour or two. If you have younger children, treat it as the whole outing rather than trying to bolt something else onto the end.

Beyond that, the region gives you a decent run of family options:

Woodlands Family Theme Park, for a full day of rides and play
The Tamar Valley Donkey Park at Looe, gentler and good for small children
Shaldon Zoo (Shaldon Wildlife Trust) over at Dawlish, a smaller-scale wildlife visit
Mansell Raceway at Sidmouth, if you have someone in the party who wants to drive something
Plym Valley Railway, a railway-flavoured outing listed under Salcombe

A useful rule of thumb: pick one big-ticket attraction per day and leave the rest of the time loose. Trying to squeeze Paignton Zoo and Woodlands Family Theme Park into the same day will leave everyone tired and short-changed.

Rainy day plans

Devon weather being what it is, it helps to have a wet-weather list written down before you need it. The Indoor Fun Pool at Exmouth is the most reliable option with children, and Tinside Lido at Looe is worth knowing about too, though an outdoor pool is better held back for a bright day.

For quieter indoor time, the region is well served by small museums. The Sidmouth Toy and Model Museum tends to hold children longer than you would expect, and Exmouth Museum, the Cookworthy Museum and Overbeck's House at Salcombe all suit an unhurried hour or two. The Mayflower Museum at Looe is a good choice if anyone in the party likes maritime history. Closer to Paignton, Brixham Battery and the Site of Old Torbay Aircraft Museum are both worth a look, particularly if you have someone interested in wartime history.

Heritage, gardens and the outdoors

This is where the region really earns its keep. Four National Trust properties sit within reach: Greenway House, Coleton Fishacre, Bradley Manor and Compton Castle. Coleton Fishacre pairs a house with coastal gardens, so it works as a half-indoor, half-outdoor day if the forecast is mixed. Greenway House rewards a slower visit. If you are a National Trust member, the maths on a week here is straightforward.

Dartmouth Castle is the standout for anyone who likes their heritage with a sea view, and Compton Castle gives you a second castle for the holiday without repeating the experience.

For smaller, gentler stops, St. Lawrence Chapel, Church House, Rora House and the Monastic Way Exhibition are all in Devon and suit being slotted into a day rather than built around.

How to group them into a day

Three combinations that work:

Coast and castle: Dartmouth Castle in the morning, lunch nearby, then a slow afternoon. Add Coleton Fishacre if you have the energy.
Family day: Paignton Zoo for the bulk of the day, chips on the way back, early night.
Wet-weather day: Indoor Fun Pool at Exmouth, then Exmouth Museum or the Sidmouth Toy and Model Museum, with a long tea-room stop in the middle.

Where to eat

Five places in the region hold 5-star food hygiene ratings, which is a reasonable shortlist to start from. Alf Resco and The Dough Works are both tea rooms and suit breakfast or a mid-afternoon regroup. Krispies handles the fish and chips. For a sit-down evening meal, Waterside Bistro and The Salterton Arms are both pubs and inns, so they work whether you want a proper dinner or just a pint and something straightforward after a long day out.

Turning it into a short break

Three or four nights is the sweet spot. Give day one to Paignton Zoo, day two to one or two National Trust properties such as Bradley Manor and Compton Castle, and day three to Dartmouth Castle with a coastal walk. Keep a spare afternoon unallocated so you can move things if the weather turns.

Practically: book the big attractions ahead in school holidays, check opening days for the smaller museums before you set off as many keep limited seasons, carry waterproofs even in August, and if you are relying on Tinside Lido or Coleton Fishacre's gardens, check the forecast the night before and swap your days around rather than pressing on regardless.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main attraction in Paignton itself?

Paignton Zoo is the headline attraction in the town and is best treated as a full day out rather than combined with something else. Also in Paignton are Brixham Battery and the Site of Old Torbay Aircraft Museum, both smaller museum stops.

Are there National Trust properties near Paignton?

Yes, four National Trust properties are within reach of the region: Greenway House, Coleton Fishacre, Bradley Manor and Compton Castle. If you are a member, a week in the area gives you good value.

What can we do in Paignton if it rains?

The Indoor Fun Pool at Exmouth is the most reliable wet-weather option with children. For quieter indoor visits, try the Sidmouth Toy and Model Museum, Exmouth Museum, the Cookworthy Museum, Overbeck's House at Salcombe or the Mayflower Museum at Looe.

Where can we eat with confidence about hygiene standards?

Five places in the region hold 5-star food hygiene ratings: Waterside Bistro and The Salterton Arms are pubs and inns, Alf Resco and The Dough Works are tea rooms, and Krispies does fish and chips.

What is there for younger children besides the zoo?

The Tamar Valley Donkey Park at Looe and Shaldon Zoo (Shaldon Wildlife Trust) at Dawlish are both gentler wildlife visits that suit small children. Woodlands Family Theme Park and the Plym Valley Railway are also good family days out, and Mansell Raceway at Sidmouth appeals to older children.

How many nights should we book for a short break?

Three or four nights works well: one day for Paignton Zoo, one for National Trust properties such as Bradley Manor and Compton Castle, and one for Dartmouth Castle and the coast, with a spare afternoon left free in case the weather changes. There are 314 places to stay in the region on BritStays.