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 miles
- Exeter 19.2 miles
- Torquay 3.5 miles
- Newton Abbot 6.1 miles
- Exmouth 15.1 miles
- Teignmouth 8.3 miles
- Brixham 4 miles
- Sidmouth 22.5 miles
- Ivybridge 15.9 miles
- Kingsteignton 7.7 miles
- Dawlish 10.8 miles
Neighbouring places
- Preston Ward 0.4 miles
- Clifton with Maidenway Ward 0.4 miles
- Roundham with Hyde Ward 0.6 miles
- King's Ash Ward 0.7 miles
- Goodrington with Roselands Ward 1.4 miles
- Marldon Built-up area 1.5 miles
- Cockington with Chelston Ward 1.5 miles
- Collaton St. Mary Built-up area 1.8 miles
- Shiphay Ward 2.5 miles
- Tormohun Ward 2.6 miles
- Ellacombe Ward 2.8 miles
- Marldon & Littlehempston Ward 2.9 miles
Example postcodes in Paignton
TQ2 6QL, TQ4 5NT, TQ2 6UX, TQ3 3LE, TQ3 2SW, TQ3 3HJ, TQ4 7TE, TQ3 2LU, TQ4 5HE … See all
Transport links
- Exeter International Airport 21.3 miles
- Newquay Cornwall Airport 62.7 miles
- Paignton Railway Station 0.6 miles
- Torquay Railway Station 1.8 miles
Hotels in Paignton Ad
- The Queens Hotel 3
- The Palace Hotel 3
- Marine Hotel
- Mercure Paignton Hotel 3.5
- The Grand Hotel 4
- Travelodge Torquay 3
- ibis Styles Paignton 3
- The Sandpiper Guest House 4
- The Waters Edge 2
- Hotel Indigo Torquay 4
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 miles
- Plainmoor Stadium 3.1 miles
- Babbacombe Beach Beach 3.7 miles
- Oddicombe Beach Beach 3.7 miles
- Newton Abbot Racecourse Recreation 6.7 miles
- Buckfast Abbey Historic site 9.6 miles
- Slapton Sands Beach 11.3 miles
- Exmouth Marina Marina 13.7 miles
- Exeter Racecourse Recreation 13.7 miles
- Lannacombe Beach Beach 16 miles
- Salcombe Harbour Harbour 16.5 miles
- Gara Rock beach Beach 17.4 miles