Anyone can read a brochure, but there is nothing like a few insider tips from people who know a place well. Having welcomed holidaymakers to Paignton for many years, we have picked up plenty of local knowledge along the way — the little things that make a Torbay holiday run more smoothly and feel that bit more special. This is our local’s insider guide to getting the very best out of Paignton and the English Riviera.
Where Paignton sits, and why it matters
First, the lie of the land. Paignton sits right in the middle of Torbay, almost exactly halfway between Torquay to the north and Brixham to the south, with the great sweep of the bay in front and the Devon countryside behind. This central position is its secret weapon: three distinct resorts within minutes of one another, plus Dartmouth, Totnes, Dartmoor and a string of villages and beaches all within easy reach. Base yourself here and you are never far from anything — which is exactly why so many visitors return year after year.
Insider tip: leave the car and go on foot
One of the best decisions you can make is to leave the car parked for much of your stay. From a seafront base you can walk to the beach, the shops, cafes and the seafront attractions, and the level promenade makes getting about a pleasure. For trips further afield, the steam railway, local buses and summer ferries can take you to Dartmouth, Torquay, Brixham and beyond without the hassle of parking. Save the car for Dartmoor and the more distant corners. Having off-road parking at your accommodation, so you always have a guaranteed space when you do drive, takes away one of the classic seaside-holiday headaches.
Insider tip: time the tide and the crowds
A little planning goes a long way. Check the tide times before a beach day — the hours either side of low tide give you the most sand and the best rock pools. In summer, arrive at popular beaches and attractions early to beat the crowds and find parking, and enjoy the quieter, golden evenings on the front once the day-trippers have gone home. The early morning and late evening are often the loveliest times to be by the sea, with the light at its best and the prom at its most peaceful.
Insider tip: do not miss the Round Robin
If you do one big day out, make it the famous Round Robin: the steam train along the coast to Kingswear, the ferry to Dartmouth, a river cruise up the Dart to Totnes, and the bus back to Paignton. It combines four kinds of travel and a huge amount of scenery and history into one unforgettable day, and you can start anywhere on the circle and linger as long as you like. It is the single best way to appreciate just how beautiful this corner of Devon is.
Insider tip: eat what is local
Make the most of Devon’s wonderful produce. Buy fresh fish landed at Brixham, treat yourself to a proper Devon cream tea (cream first, then jam — you are in Devon now), and seek out the local ice cream made with clotted cream. With a self-catering kitchen you can cook simple, delicious meals with local ingredients and enjoy them with a sea view, mixing in the odd meal out at a harbourside restaurant. Eating local is tastier, often cheaper, and supports the area too.
Insider tip: there is a season for everyone
Thanks to Torbay’s mild climate, there is no wrong time to visit — only different kinds of holiday. High summer is for warm seas, busy beaches and the events on the bay; late spring and September offer quieter beaches, lovely walking weather and better value; and autumn and winter bring wild, empty beaches (with dogs welcome on Preston Sands from October to April), dramatic skies and cosy evenings in. Choose the season that fits the holiday you want.
Insider tip: build in rainy-day options
Even on the English Riviera, the odd grey day happens, so have a plan B. Kents Cavern, Paignton Zoo’s indoor houses, the Babbacombe Model Village, museums, the cinema and a swim are all good wet-weather bets. And a holiday base with indoor options of its own — somewhere to play games and watch a film — turns a washout into a cosy day in rather than a disappointment.
Insider tip: a sample week to copy
If you like a loose plan, here is how a local might shape a week. Spend your first day settling in with a beach session and a seafront stroll. On day two, do the Round Robin — steam train, ferry, river cruise and bus — for the big scenic day out. Day three, visit Paignton Zoo in the morning and the beach in the afternoon. Day four, head inland to Dartmoor for big skies and a moorland walk. Day five, explore Brixham and Berry Head. Day six, take it easy — a coast-path walk, a cream tea, some shopping in Totnes or Dartmouth. And keep day seven flexible for whatever the weather and your mood suggest, with the activities room as your rainy-day backstop. Adjust to taste, and never feel you have to cram everything in.
Insider tip: book direct and ask questions
When it comes to choosing and booking your accommodation, there is real value in dealing directly with the people who own and run the place. They know the apartments inside out, can advise on which suits your group, and are happy to answer questions about parking, the apartments, bringing a dog or anything else. Use the online booking system to check live availability and pricing, but do not hesitate to pick up the phone or send an email if you want advice — a quick conversation often makes all the difference in getting the right apartment for the holiday you have in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay in Paignton? A seafront base opposite a good beach, on the level, with parking and indoor options for wet days is ideal — which is exactly what Cranmore Lodge offers.
Do I need a car in Paignton? Not necessarily — you can walk to the beach and town and use the steam railway, buses and ferries, though a car helps for Dartmoor and quieter spots.
What is the one thing not to miss? The Round Robin trip — steam train, ferry and river cruise — is the best way to see how beautiful this corner of Devon is.
When should I book? Early, especially for school holidays, peak summer and event weekends, to get the best choice of dates and apartments.
The local’s choice of base
If we were choosing where to stay, we would want to be right on the seafront, opposite a good family beach, on the level, with parking on site and something to do whatever the weather. That is exactly what Cranmore Lodge offers: comfortable self-catering apartments directly opposite Preston Sands, with sea views over the bay, a large off-road car park, a guest activities room with pool, table tennis, darts, table football, board games and a cinema-style screen, and a guest laundry too. Originally built in 1918 as one of Paignton’s premier seafront houses and lovingly refurbished over the years, it combines a wonderful position with genuine comfort and value. As the saying around here goes, you come as a visitor and leave a friend. Explore the area and the apartments to start planning.
Stay at Cranmore Lodge, Paignton
Take it from people who know Paignton well: a great holiday starts with a great base. View our apartments or check availability and book online.
To plan your Torbay holiday, call +44 (0)1803 556278 or email enquiries@cranmorelodge.co.uk. Cranmore Lodge Holiday Apartments, 45 Marine Drive, Paignton TQ3 2NS.