Of all the beaches that line the 22 miles of English Riviera coastline, Preston Sands holds a special place in the hearts of those who know Paignton well. It is the beach directly opposite Cranmore Lodge, barely a hundred metres from the door depending on the tide, and it is one of the most genuinely family-friendly stretches of sand in the whole of Torbay. This guide tells you everything you need to know to make the most of it, from the best time to visit to the facilities, the beach huts and the things to do nearby.
Where is Preston Sands?
Preston Sands sits at the northern end of Paignton, between the main Paignton Sands by the pier and the headland that leads towards Torquay. It runs along Marine Drive, the seafront road, and is backed by a colourful row of beach huts, a green, a children’s play area and the coastal cycle path. Because it faces roughly east across the bay, it catches the morning sun beautifully and offers wonderful views towards Torquay on one side and Brixham and Berry Head on the other.
What is the beach like?
Preston Sands is exactly what most people picture when they imagine a classic English seaside beach: clean golden sand, a gentle slope into calm, sheltered water, and plenty of room to spread out. The gradual gradient means the sea stays shallow a good way out, which makes it reassuringly safe for paddling and ideal for younger children. At low tide the sand stretches out generously, leaving rock pools to explore at the edges and acres of space for cricket, kites and the inevitable sandcastle competition.
Because Torbay is so sheltered, the water here is usually calm — a world away from the rolling surf of the north Devon coast. That calmness is part of what makes the bay so good for first-time kayakers, paddleboarders and swimmers, and why families with small children return to Preston year after year.
The beach huts
One of the most charming features of Preston Sands is its line of beach huts, painted in cheerful pastel shades and lined up along the promenade like a string of seaside sweets. They make a lovely sight and a wonderful base for a day on the beach. A number are available to hire during the season, by the day or by the week, giving you somewhere to store your things, brew a cup of tea, shelter from a passing shower and keep the children’s gear out of the sand. If you fancy hiring one, it is well worth booking ahead in the peak summer weeks as they are popular.
Facilities and what to bring
The promenade behind Preston Sands has everything you need close at hand. There is a children’s play area right opposite Cranmore Lodge, along with keep-fit equipment, a basketball court, a picnic area and the level coastal cycle path. Seasonal kiosks and cafes nearby serve ice cream, drinks and snacks, and the shops of Paignton are a short walk away for anything you forget. In summer you can hire kayaks, surfboards and pedaloes on the beach.
For a comfortable day, bring a windbreak, plenty of sun cream and water, a bucket and spade, and beach shoes if you plan to explore the rocky edges at low tide. A flask and a few snacks turn a morning at the beach into a leisurely all-day affair.
Dogs on Preston Sands
If you are travelling with a dog, timing matters. Dogs are allowed on Preston Sands between 1 October and 30 April, but not during the main summer season. This makes an autumn, winter or spring break a fantastic choice for dog owners — you get long, bracing beach walks with the sand almost to yourself, and a cosy apartment to return to afterwards. Out of season the beach takes on a wild, romantic quality that many visitors prefer to the summer bustle.
Tides, safety and the best time to visit
As with any beach, it pays to keep an eye on the tide times, which you can check easily online before you set off. At high tide the beach narrows considerably, so for sandcastles and space the hours either side of low tide are best. Early morning is glorious here, with the sun rising over the bay and the sand freshly washed and empty; many regular visitors swear by a pre-breakfast walk along the prom. For swimming, the water is at its warmest from July through to September, though hardy souls enjoy it for much longer.
Things to do right beside the beach
Part of what makes Preston Sands so convenient is how much there is to do without ever getting in the car. The coastal cycle path runs right along the back of the beach, perfect for a gentle family ride or a stroll. Turn left from Cranmore Lodge and the South West Coast Path leads towards Torquay; turn right and it heads towards Paignton harbour, Roundham Head, Goodrington and ultimately Brixham and Berry Head, with benches and picnic areas at the viewpoints along the way. The children’s play area, basketball court and keep-fit equipment opposite mean there is always something to do between dips in the sea.
A beach on your doorstep
There is a real luxury in being able to walk to the beach in moments, pop back for lunch or a forgotten toy, and stroll down again for the evening light without ever moving the car. That is exactly what staying opposite Preston Sands gives you. Cranmore Lodge sits directly across Marine Drive from the beach, with sea views from most of its apartments and free off-road parking so you can leave the car behind and live at beach pace for a week. Several apartments look straight out across the bay, so you can watch the tide and the boats from your own lounge window. Take a look at the apartments to see the views for yourself.
A short history of Preston and Paignton seafront
Preston was once a separate village just to the north of Paignton, and the seafront here developed as the resort grew in popularity through the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Grand seafront houses were built to take advantage of the views and the sea air, among them the building that is now Cranmore Lodge, constructed in 1918 as one of the premier seafront houses in Paignton. The promenade, the green and the line of beach huts came to define the genteel, family-friendly character that Preston Sands still has today. Knowing a little of this history adds something to a stroll along the front, where Edwardian elegance meets the timeless pleasures of the British seaside.
Rock pooling and wildlife
At low tide, the rockier edges of Preston Sands reveal a miniature world worth exploring. Children armed with a net and a bucket can hunt for crabs, shrimps, small fish and anemones in the rock pools, a free and endlessly absorbing activity. Out in the bay you may spot cormorants and gulls, and from the nearby headlands keen-eyed visitors sometimes see seals and, in summer, dolphins. The calm, clear waters of Torbay are part of a UNESCO Global Geopark, prized for their geology and marine life, so there is real natural interest here as well as simple seaside fun. Remember to return any creatures gently to where you found them and to check the tide so you are not caught out.
Where to eat near Preston Sands
You will not go hungry near the beach. Seasonal kiosks and cafes along the seafront serve ice creams, drinks, snacks and light lunches with a sea view, and the shops, pubs and eating places of Paignton are a short, level walk away. With your own kitchen in a self-catering apartment, you can also pack a picnic for the beach or pick up fresh local produce — including fish from nearby Brixham — to cook back at base. A simple supper enjoyed with the view over the bay is one of the quiet highlights of a Preston Sands holiday.
Frequently asked questions
Is Preston Sands sandy or pebbly? It is a genuinely sandy beach — wide, flat and golden — with some rockier areas at the edges that are great for rock pooling at low tide.
Are dogs allowed on Preston Sands? Dogs are welcome from 1 October to 30 April, but not during the main summer season in between.
Can you hire beach huts? Yes, a number of the beach huts along the promenade are available to hire by the day or week in season. Book ahead in peak summer as they are popular.
Is the water safe for children? The gentle gradient and sheltered position of Torbay make the water calm and shallow a good way out, which is reassuring for families, though you should always supervise children near the sea and check conditions.
Where is the nearest parking? Cranmore Lodge, directly opposite the beach, has its own large off-road car park for guests.
Stay opposite the beach at Cranmore Lodge
For a beach holiday where the sand really is on your doorstep, you could not be better placed than Cranmore Lodge, directly opposite Preston Sands in Paignton. View our sea-view apartments, read more about the area, or check availability and book.
To enquire, call +44 (0)1803 556278 or email enquiries@cranmorelodge.co.uk. Cranmore Lodge Holiday Apartments, 45 Marine Drive, Paignton TQ3 2NS.