If you are dreaming of a holiday where you wake to the sound of the sea, walk to a sandy beach in your bare feet, and have the freedom to plan each day exactly as you please, then a self-catering holiday in Paignton is hard to beat. Sitting right in the middle of Torbay — the stretch of South Devon coastline known the world over as the English Riviera — Paignton blends a classic British seaside resort with a gateway to some of the most beautiful countryside, coastline and historic towns in the West Country. This guide brings together everything you need to know to plan a brilliant self-catering break, from why the area is so well loved to the practical details that make all the difference.
Why choose Paignton for a self-catering holiday?
Paignton has been welcoming holidaymakers for well over a century, and there is a good reason families return year after year. It manages to be relaxed and friendly without ever feeling sleepy. The town has a long, gently shelving beach with golden sand that is perfect for children, a Victorian pier, a pretty harbour, and a green that runs along the seafront where people picnic, fly kites and watch the boats in the bay. Behind the seafront you will find shops, cafes, pubs and everything you need for a comfortable stay.
What makes Paignton special, though, is its position. It sits at the very heart of Torbay, almost exactly halfway between Torquay to the north and Brixham to the south. That means three distinct resorts, each with its own character, are within a few minutes of one another. Beyond the bay, the wild beauty of Dartmoor, the historic port of Dartmouth, the market town of Totnes and dozens of villages and beaches are all within easy reach. Cornwall is little more than an hour away if you fancy venturing further. Few seaside towns put so much within such easy distance.
What does self-catering actually give you?
The great appeal of self-catering is freedom. There is no fixed breakfast sitting to rush down for, no dinner gong, and no feeling that you have to be back by a certain time. You eat when you want, what you want, and where you want. For families with young children that flexibility is priceless — you can feed little ones early, settle them down, and then relax with a glass of wine and the sea view. For couples it means lazy mornings and the option of a proper home-cooked meal or a night out, exactly as the mood takes you.
Self-catering is also kinder on the budget, especially for longer stays and larger groups. With your own kitchen you can keep costs down by cooking some meals in, picking up fresh local produce, fish straight off the boats at Brixham, or a Devon cream tea to enjoy on the balcony. And because you are not paying for services you may not use, you tend to get far more space for your money than a hotel room of the same price.
Apartments at Cranmore Lodge
Cranmore Lodge is a small, family-run collection of self-catering apartments in one of the very best positions in Paignton: directly opposite Preston Sands, with the beach barely a hundred metres from the door. The building was originally built in 1918 as one of the premier seafront houses in Paignton, and although it has been carefully converted and refurbished over the years, it has kept the generous proportions and the wonderful sea views that made it so desirable a century ago.
There are five apartments in total, two of which have two bedrooms, sleeping up to six people. Most look out across the whole sweep of Torbay, with views towards Torquay on one side and Brixham and Berry Head on the other. Each apartment is fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable, independent holiday, including a proper kitchen, a comfortable lounge and a television. The owners have invested in continual upgrades year on year, so the interiors are clean, contemporary and genuinely good value. You can see all five apartments here.
Two practical touches set Cranmore Lodge apart. The first is a large off-road car park, so you can leave the car safely on site and walk to the beach, the shops and the seafront — and you will always have a space waiting when you come back from a day out. The second is the guest activities room, added during the pandemic, which is stocked with a pool table, table tennis, a dartboard and table football, along with board games, a large cinema-style screen for films and sport, and even space for yoga or keep fit. There is also a guest laundry with an American-style washing machine and a separate tumble dryer, so even if the weather turns there is plenty to keep everyone happy.
The beach on your doorstep
Preston Sands is one of the most family-friendly beaches in Torbay. It is a wide, flat expanse of golden sand backed by a colourful row of beach huts, with a gentle gradient that makes it ideal for paddling and sandcastle building. Directly opposite Cranmore Lodge you will also find a children’s play area, a basketball court, keep-fit equipment, a picnic area and the coastal cycle path, so there is plenty to do without ever getting in the car. During the summer season you can hire kayaks, surfboards and pedaloes nearby, and the calm waters of the bay are perfect for a first go at paddleboarding.
It is worth knowing that dogs are welcome on Preston Sands between 1 October and 30 April, so an autumn, winter or spring break is a wonderful option if you want to bring the dog along for long beach walks out of season.
Getting around without a car
One of the joys of basing yourself in Paignton is how easy it is to explore without driving everywhere. The Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway runs from a station right beside the main line station in the town centre, offering a nostalgic steam train ride along the coast to Kingswear. From there you can take the ferry across to Dartmouth, a river boat up the Dart to Totnes, and a bus back to Paignton — the famous “Round Robin” trip that lets you see a huge amount of South Devon in a single, relaxed day. Local buses link Paignton with Torquay and Brixham along the bay, and the mainline railway connects Paignton directly to Exeter, Bristol and London, so arriving by train is genuinely easy.
A taste of what is nearby
Within a short drive or bus ride you can visit Paignton Zoo, one of the largest and most respected wildlife parks in the country; Greenway, the romantic riverside holiday home of crime writer Agatha Christie, now cared for by the National Trust; the bustling harbour and fish market at Brixham; the elegant Regency streets of Torquay; and the model village and cliff railway at Babbacombe. For walkers, the South West Coast Path runs right through the bay, with benches and picnic areas at viewpoints such as Roundham Head and the dramatic headland of Berry Head. For a complete change of scene, Dartmoor’s open moorland, granite tors and ancient woodland are less than an hour away.
When to visit
Torbay has a famously mild climate — the palm trees along the seafront are not just for show — which makes it a rewarding destination in every season. High summer brings the warmest sea, the busiest beaches and a full calendar of regattas, air displays and fireworks. Late spring and early autumn offer quieter beaches, softer light and excellent value, and are perfect for walking and sightseeing. Even in winter, a bracing beach walk followed by a cosy evening in with the cinema screen and a good film has a charm all of its own. Because Cranmore Lodge is self-catering and open year round, you can choose the time of year that suits you best.
Planning your stay
For the best choice of dates and apartments, it pays to book ahead, especially for school holidays and the peak summer weeks. The easiest way to check what is available is to use the online booking system, which shows live availability and pricing so you can see at a glance which apartment suits your party and your budget. Larger families and groups should look at the two-bedroom apartments, which comfortably sleep up to six, while couples and smaller families are well served by the one-bedroom apartments, several of which still enjoy those superb panoramic sea views.
Getting to Paignton
Paignton is easy to reach from almost anywhere in the country. By car it sits just off the A380, which connects to the M5 motorway at Exeter, putting it within comfortable reach of Bristol, Birmingham, the Midlands and beyond. By train, Paignton is the terminus of a branch line with direct and connecting services from Exeter, Bristol, Bath, London Paddington and the rest of the national network, and the station is right in the centre of town. The nearest airport is Exeter, around forty-five minutes away, with Bristol Airport a little over an hour and a half by road. Once you arrive, the compact layout of Torbay means you rarely need to travel far, and the off-road car park at Cranmore Lodge means you always have somewhere safe to leave the car.
What to pack for a Torbay holiday
Whatever the season, a few essentials make a seaside break run more smoothly. Pack layers and a light waterproof, as coastal weather can change quickly even on a warm day. Bring sun cream, hats and beach shoes for sunny spells and rock-pooling, and sturdier footwear if you plan to walk the coast path or explore Dartmoor. Binoculars are a bonus for spotting seabirds, seals and dolphins from the headlands. Because you will have your own kitchen, you might bring a few store-cupboard basics, though everything you need is available in the local shops and supermarkets a short distance away. And do not forget the bucket and spade.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Cranmore Lodge from the beach? The lodge sits directly opposite Preston Sands on Marine Drive, with the beach roughly a hundred metres away depending on the tide — an easy stroll across the road.
Is there parking? Yes. There is a large off-road car park on site, so you can leave the car safely and always have a space when you return from a day out.
How many people do the apartments sleep? There are five apartments, two of them with two bedrooms. Depending on the apartment, they sleep up to four or up to six people, making them suitable for couples, small and larger families alike.
Is it suitable for a holiday without a car? Very much so. You can walk to the beach, shops and seafront, and use the steam railway, local buses and summer ferries to reach Dartmouth, Torquay, Brixham and beyond.
Can I bring my dog? Dogs are welcome on Preston Sands between October and April. Please ask about bringing your dog when you enquire so we can confirm the arrangements for your stay.
Stay at Cranmore Lodge, Paignton
A self-catering holiday gives you the freedom to make the most of everything Torbay has to offer, and Cranmore Lodge puts you right at the heart of it — opposite the beach, with sea views, free parking and a guest activities room for every kind of weather. View our apartments, explore the local area, or check availability and book online.
To ask a question or arrange your stay, call +44 (0)1803 556278 or email enquiries@cranmorelodge.co.uk. Cranmore Lodge Holiday Apartments, 45 Marine Drive, Paignton TQ3 2NS.