Paignton is a seaside town on the south coast of Torbay in Devon, south‑west England, and forms part of the English Riviera. It is known for a long sandy beach, a Victorian pier and a working harbour, benefitting from a mild microclimate that has made it a popular family holiday destination since the Victorian era.
Tourism still drives the local economy alongside a modest fishing and boating industry, with attractions such as Paignton Pier and Paignton Zoo drawing visitors; the town also hosts an annual carnival and a lively seafront scene. Socially it mixes long‑term residents and retirees with a seasonal workforce, and recent regeneration efforts aim to revive the town centre while respecting its historic seaside character and links to nearby Torquay and Brixham.
Postcode districts covering Paignton
Most populated places nearby
- Plymouth 23.7 miles38.2 km
- Exeter 19.2 miles31 km
- Torquay 3.5 miles5.7 km
- Newton Abbot 6.1 miles9.9 km
- Exmouth 15.1 miles24.4 km
- Teignmouth 8.3 miles13.4 km
- Brixham 4 miles6.4 km
- Sidmouth 22.5 miles36.3 km
- Ivybridge 15.9 miles25.5 km
- Kingsteignton 7.7 miles12.3 km
- Dawlish 10.8 miles17.4 km
Neighbouring places
- Preston Ward 0.4 miles0.6 km
- Clifton with Maidenway Ward 0.4 miles0.7 km
- Roundham with Hyde Ward 0.6 miles1 km
- King's Ash Ward 0.7 miles1.2 km
- Goodrington with Roselands Ward 1.4 miles2.3 km
- Marldon Built-up area 1.5 miles2.4 km
- Cockington with Chelston Ward 1.5 miles2.4 km
- Collaton St. Mary Built-up area 1.8 miles2.9 km
- Shiphay Ward 2.5 miles4 km
- Tormohun Ward 2.6 miles4.1 km
- Ellacombe Ward 2.8 miles4.5 km
- Marldon & Littlehempston Ward 2.9 miles4.6 km
Example postcodes in Paignton
TQ3 2BX, TQ2 7NH, TQ2 5LT, TQ4 6DA, TQ3 1AL, TQ3 3DF, TQ4 5EE, TQ4 7FP, TQ4 6JL … See all
Transport links
- Exeter International Airport 21.3 miles34.3 km
- Newquay Cornwall Airport 62.7 miles100.8 km
- Paignton Railway Station 0.6 miles1 km
- Torquay Railway Station 1.8 miles2.9 km
Hotels in Paignton Ad
- The Briars - Adults Only 4
- St Weonards Hotel 4
- Five Way Apartments 4
- Three Palms 4
- Mercure Paignton Hotel 4
- Channel View Boutique Hotel - Adults Only 5
- The Sands Hotel 4
- Waters Edge Hotel 2
- Ibis Styles Paignton 3
- The Palace Hotel & Spa 3
Schools in Paignton
- Cambian Devon School Independent - special
- Curledge Street Academy Primary
- Hayes School Primary
- Kings Ash Academy Primary
- Oldway Primary School Primary
- Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Primary School Primary
- Paignton Academy Secondary
- Preston Primary School Primary
- Roselands Primary School Primary
- Sacred Heart Catholic School Primary
- Sherwell Valley Primary School Primary
- Shiphay Learning Academy Primary
- South Devon College Further education
- Torquay Boys' Grammar School Secondary
- Torquay Girls' Grammar School Secondary
- White Rock Primary School Primary
Local points of interest
- Goodrington Sands Beach 1.8 miles2.9 km
- Plainmoor Stadium 3.1 miles5 km
- Babbacombe Beach Beach 3.7 miles5.9 km
- Oddicombe Beach Beach 3.7 miles6 km
- Newton Abbot Racecourse Recreation 6.7 miles10.8 km
- Buckfast Abbey Historic site 9.6 miles15.5 km
- Slapton Sands Beach 11.3 miles18.2 km
- Exmouth Marina Marina 13.7 miles22 km
- Exeter Racecourse Recreation 13.7 miles22.1 km
- Lannacombe Beach Beach 16 miles25.7 km
- Salcombe Harbour Harbour 16.5 miles26.5 km
- Gara Rock beach Beach 17.4 miles28 km