Things to do in Paignton
The town of Paignton is a coastal gem nestling around 30 miles from our Devon Cliffs Holiday Park on the English Riviera. Offering everything from giraffes to water slides, Paignton promises a busy and varied itinerary.
If you're shortlisting things to do in Paignton, we’ve picked out the highlights!
Splashdown Quaywest
Top of the list for energetic families is Paignton’s epic waterpark Paignton – Splashdown Quaywest. It’s a large, outdoor facility open during the summer months with nine separate waterslides ranging in intensity from a 65ft near-vertical drop to a lazy, winding 130m inflatable tyre slide.
If adrenaline isn’t for you, there’s a 20-metre pool for more relaxed swimming and a beach and snack shop to browse. But we bet you’ll be tempted to try at least one fantastic flume!
Paignton Zoo
A fantastic mid-sized zoo, Paignton houses over 2000 animals across an 80-acre site and it recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.
From slithering snakes to towering giraffes, this enchanting animal kingdom blends awe and conservation, as its fascinating exhibits explain. Animal highlights include their African lions, giant tortoise, meerkats, red panda, and unpredictable orangutans!
You can even book a junior zookeeper experience, or a chance to meet their rare and surprisingly gentle rhino.
Paignton Beach
No trip to an English seaside town is complete without checking out the beach and here, Paignton delivers! With its sandy bay with safe swimming facilities, fun-filled pier, plentiful parking, toilets and changing facilities, you have everything you need for a relaxing day on the sands.
There are nearby cafes and restaurants, plus places to hire paddleboards, or book a pleasure boat cruise. Carve out a day in your itinerary for this award-winning beach.
Pirates Bay Adventure Golf
Pirates Bay Adventure Golf have spared no expense in creating a wonderful, elaborate, and challenging course, with plenty of surprises.
With its pirate theme, submerged galleons, water features and twisty-turny holes, this is a firm family favourite. You’ll find it right by the beach and esplanade.
Dartmouth Steam Railway
All aboard! Embark on a nostalgic train ride that whistles through a 6.7-mile scenic route between Paignton and Kingswear on the River Dart, offering breathtaking views of the English Riviera. The company also offer a small ferry over the Dart to Dartmouth, another local town well worth a visit.
The engines include the 1924 Goliath and a 1943 American Omaha freight locomotive. The observation carriage is an elegant 1940s Pullman, offering something for both train and scenery enthusiasts.
Geoplay Park
If you want another opportunity to tire out the tots, Paignton’s Geoplay Park is a must.
This geologically themed park has rides, rocks to clamber, slides, spinners and more. Like many of the best child-friendly attractions in the town, you’ll find it on the seafront.
Paignton Pier
Also top of the list of things to do in Paignton is a trip to the historic pier, opened in 1879.
Featuring arcades, rides, and the soothing sound of the ocean all around, a stroll along the pier offers something for everyone. Grab some fish and chips and settle on a bench to watch the waves (just watch out for those chip-stealing seagulls!)
Alternatively, ride the helter-skelter or exercise the little ones at the play park. There’s a fantastic view from the end of the pier too.
Roundham Head
If the weather gods are kind, here’s a perfect place to spend a day. This clifftop garden overlooking Goodrington Sands offers a tranquil respite from city hustle. Just a mile’s walk from Paignton’s North Quay, the park offers spectacular views, layered red cliffs and picturesque pines and sycamores.
If the skies are clear, you can see across Lyme Bay to Portland, or watch waves crashing dramatically against the cliffs.
Torbay Leisure Centre
British summertime can sometimes fail to deliver the sunshine, so when it pours, here’s a handy and entertaining refuge.
Dive into indoor pools or flex those muscles in the gym. Only a 10-minute drive south from the centre of Paignton, this indoor facility offers a gym, swimming pool, cycle park, badminton, basketball and much more.
The pool alone is worth a trip, at 25m with two fast lanes for those seeking to get the lengths in. There are aqua classes and swimming lessons too, for all ages. It's the ideal antidote to gloomy skies.
Kirkham House
There aren’t many medieval houses as well-preserved as Kirkham, managed by English Heritage. It’s a fascinating place, full of rustic charm and surprise. Situated in the heart of town, the house was built over 500 years ago, when Paignton was little more than a tiny village.
Inside you’ll find Tudor style interiors, a decorous parlour, a spacious hall, and a comfy bedrooms upstairs. The house has been tastefully and accurately restored and gives a real insight into how medieval merchants might have lived.
Occombe Farm
Explore creatures closer to home in this fun petting zoo and working farm, which includes goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, Shetland ponies and donkeys. Make sure you check out their extensive schedule of grooming and pampering experiences.
As well as the animals, there are walking trails, an excellent farm deli and café and a range of scheduled events including their harvest weekend, in which you can pick apples and meet local growers.
Seashore Centre
Unearth marine marvels and engage in seaside activities in this facility dedicated to the coastal life. This aquatic hub is the perfect place to book a sunset kayak trip or a rockpooling or snorkelling session.
Learn more about coastal conservation while getting up close with seaside flora and fauna. The Centre is open between April and September, and you’ll find it right by Splashdown Waterpark.
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Important information
Brand new holiday homes from £34,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 19 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Church Farm, Cala Gran, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Seashore, Seaview and Thornwick Bay.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £33,995 and will remain at this price until all available stock is sold.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at Berwick, Burnham-on-Sea, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hafan y Mor, Kent Coast, Lakeland, Marton Mere, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Seton Sands and Weymouth Bay.
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £19,995
Holiday home price is based on a Bronze Grade pre-owned holiday home 6 years or older and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Cala Gran, Church Farm, Cardigan View, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Orchards, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Riviere Sands, Seashore, Seaview, Skegness and Thornwick Bay.
Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.