Paignton, the coastal town in Devon, is an original Celtic settlement, settled during the late 1000s. From a small fishing town it grew thanks to the railway. Today it is a popular tourist destination for visitors to the Devon area.

Opened to the public for the first time in 1879, the Paignton Pier is a popular stop on the list of places to see in the town. The 780 foot construction is complete with a grand pavilion on the seaward end. Its pavilion has been home to many different forms of entertainment such as operas, dancing, singing and other recitals. Now the pier-head is home to an amusement area for families to enjoy. Families can drive go-karts, and carousels and slide on slides. It can be a fun filled day during your stay in Paignton.

The Paignton Zoo is also another way for families to enjoy the day. Visitors can visit the zoo and see just under two thousand animals representing around 250 species. The zoo opened its doors in 1923 and has quickly grown to be one of the largest zoos in all of the United Kingdom. It has been made popular since in 2007 it was the site of the first black rhino birth ever recorded on film. The animals aren't the only thing that people come to see. Their gardens and plant life make for another spectacular visitor attraction. They have gardens from desert to tropical.

Visitors can also enjoy some of the architecture in the area. The Torbay Picture House, which is not open to the public at this time, is still a building many people like to view. Once the cinema in town it was opened in 1914. It is believed to be the oldest cinema in Europe. The cinema was closed down in 1999 but the historical significance of the building has kept any extensive changes from taking place. There is some talks about restoring the building to its former glory but as of this time it has not been restored. It is still a popular stop to view the outside of the building.

Of course what would a visit to a coastal town without heading to the beach. Preston Sands is used for a lot of different things to do other than just sunbathe and swim. Visitors can enjoy kite surfing, dinghy sailing and jet skiing. There is also a site of special scientific interest at Saltern Cove. The geology at this site can be considered highly interesting to most visitors.

Another site of interest is the Compton Castle. Built over six hundred years ago, the manor has been home to the Gilbert family. This home and its gardens are now open to the public. Visit the historic building that is also a site for many movies including Sense and Sensibility.

Paignton is a popular coastal stop on your tour of Enlgand.

Dialling the UK from Abroad

To dial the telephone and fax numbers shown from outside the UK, dial your international access code (check with your telecoms provider if you do not know what to dial), then 44, then the rest of the number except the zero shown in brackets.

Guest House & Hotel Owners

If you run a hotel, guest house or bed & breakfast and would like to be included in 4Hotels.co.uk's Hotel & Guest House Directory, please e-mail info@4hotels.co.uk.

Other accommodation close to Paignton: