Paignton was practically made for family holidays. The beach is broad and sandy, the seafront is flat and easy to push a buggy along, and almost everything a family could want is within walking distance or a short, scenic journey away. Whether you are travelling with toddlers, energetic primary-school children or teenagers who take a little more entertaining, this guide rounds up the very best things to do in and around Paignton — with plenty of options for sunny days, rainy days and everything in between.
1. Build sandcastles on Paignton Sands and Preston Sands
Start with the obvious, because it is brilliant. Paignton has two main beaches: Paignton Sands by the pier in the centre of town, and Preston Sands a little to the north. Both are wide, flat and sandy, with a gentle slope into the water that makes them ideal for younger children. Preston Sands, in particular, is backed by a row of colourful beach huts and has a children’s play area, picnic spots and the coastal cycle path right behind it. Pack a bucket and spade, hire a beach hut for the day, and you have hours of entertainment for almost nothing.
2. Spend a day at Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo is one of the country’s leading wildlife conservation parks and a genuine highlight of any family holiday in Torbay. Spread across 80 acres of beautiful botanical gardens, it is home to lions, giraffes, rhinos, orang-utans, crocodiles and hundreds of other species, arranged into habitats such as savannah, wetland and tropical forest. There is a miniature railway, an excellent adventure playground and plenty of indoor animal houses for when it rains, easily filling a full day out.
3. Ride the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway
Few things capture a child’s imagination like a real steam train. The Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway puffs along a gorgeous stretch of coastline from Paignton to Kingswear, hauled by lovingly restored locomotives. The sea views from the carriages are wonderful, and the whole experience feels like stepping into a storybook. For a bigger adventure, take the “Round Robin” trip that combines the train with a ferry and a river cruise.
4. Take the pleasure pier challenge
Paignton Pier is a classic Victorian seaside pier packed with amusements, arcade games, rides and the inevitable stick of rock. It is unashamedly old-fashioned fun, and a guaranteed hit with children who want flashing lights and prizes. Set a small budget, let them loose, and enjoy the sea breeze.
5. Splash about with watersports
During the summer season you can hire kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, pedaloes and surfboards on the beach. The calm, sheltered waters of Torbay are perfect for first-timers, and there is something magical about looking back at the colourful seafront from out on the water. Older children and teenagers especially love the independence of paddling out a little way under supervision.
6. Explore Goodrington Sands and Splashdown Quaywest
Just south of Paignton harbour you will find Goodrington Sands, another superb family beach, and Splashdown Quaywest, the largest outdoor waterpark in the South West. With a stack of flumes and slides for all ages, it is the kind of place that turns a warm afternoon into the highlight of the whole holiday. Goodrington itself has pedaloes, a boating lake and plenty of room to spread out.
7. Visit Greenway, Agatha Christie’s holiday home
For families with older children, the National Trust’s Greenway estate makes a lovely day out. This was the holiday home of the famous crime writer Agatha Christie, set in glorious gardens that tumble down to the River Dart. Children enjoy the woodland paths, the boathouse and the sense of stepping back in time, and arriving by boat along the river adds a real sense of occasion.
8. Crab fishing at Brixham harbour
A short hop around the bay, the working fishing port of Brixham is endlessly entertaining for children. Buy a crabbing line, dangle it off the harbour wall, and see who can catch the biggest crab (then gently release them, of course). Add fish and chips on the quayside and a look at the replica of the Golden Hind, and you have a perfect, low-cost family day.
9. Discover the Babbacombe Model Village
Over in Torquay, the Babbacombe Model Village is a beautifully detailed miniature world with tiny villages, towns, working models and award-winning gardens, plus an after-dark light show in season. It appeals to all ages and is largely undercover-friendly, making it a great option if the forecast looks mixed.
10. Ride the Babbacombe Cliff Railway
While you are in the area, take the historic Babbacombe Cliff Railway down to Oddicombe Beach. The funicular has been carrying passengers up and down the cliff since 1926, and the views over the red cliffs and blue sea are spectacular. The beach at the bottom is a lovely, sheltered spot for a paddle and an ice cream.
11. Walk a stretch of the coast path
From the bottom of the road you can join the South West Coast Path and walk in either direction. Heading towards Paignton harbour brings you to Roundham Head with its sub-tropical gardens and grand views, while the route towards Brixham passes Berry Head, a nature reserve where you can spot seabirds and, in summer, basking sharks and dolphins out in the bay. Pack a picnic and let the children scramble safely along the way.
12. Cool off with an ice cream and a Devon cream tea
No family holiday in Devon is complete without a proper ice cream on the seafront and at least one Devon cream tea — scones, clotted cream and jam (cream first, naturally). It is a small ritual, but the kind children remember for years.
13. Crazy golf, go-karting and mini adventures
For competitive families there is crazy golf along the seafront and go-karting at nearby Churston. Swimming pools, tennis courts and bowls greens are all close by too, so it is easy to burn off energy on an active afternoon.
14. Hop on the ferry across Torbay
In summer, passenger ferries link Torquay, Paignton, Brixham and beyond. Travelling by boat is a treat in itself, turning a simple journey between resorts into a mini cruise with fabulous views of the coastline.
15. Catch a summer regatta or firework display
Throughout the season the bay hosts regattas, concerts, classic-car gatherings, powerboat racing, tall ships and firework displays, with the Red Arrows often appearing as a thrilling highlight at Torbay Airshow. Many of these can be enjoyed for free simply by finding a good spot on the seafront, and from this part of Paignton you have a grandstand view across the whole bay.
16. Rainy-day fun at the activities room
Even the best British summer has the odd grey day, which is exactly why a holiday base with indoor options matters. At Cranmore Lodge, the guest activities room is stocked with a pool table, table tennis, darts, table football, board games and a large cinema-style screen for films — so a wet afternoon becomes a family tournament rather than a wash-out.
Making the most of a family base
The secret to a relaxed family holiday is a comfortable base that keeps the essentials close: the beach, somewhere to park, a kitchen for early teas and fussy eaters, and something to do when the weather turns. Cranmore Lodge ticks all of those boxes. Sitting directly opposite Preston Sands, with the children’s play area and coastal cycle path on the doorstep, free off-road parking and apartments sleeping up to six, it is built around the realities of holidaying with children. You can see the apartments here and find more ideas on the local area page.
Free and low-cost family fun
A family holiday need not cost a fortune. Some of the best days are the cheapest: building sandcastles and rock-pooling on the beach, crabbing off Brixham harbour wall for the price of a line and some bait, flying a kite on the green, or walking a stretch of the coast path to a viewpoint with a picnic. The children’s play area, basketball court and keep-fit equipment opposite Preston Sands are free to use, and the seafront cycle path is perfect for a no-cost family bike ride. Many of Torbay’s summer events — regattas, the airshow and fireworks — can be enjoyed for nothing simply by finding a good spot on the front. Mixing these free pleasures with the odd paid attraction keeps a family holiday both fun and affordable.
Tips for a stress-free family holiday
A little planning goes a long way with children in tow. Aim to do the big, busy attractions like the zoo early in the day, when little ones are fresh and the crowds are thinner. Always check the tide times before a beach session, build in quiet downtime between outings, and keep a bag packed with sun cream, water, snacks and spare layers. The beauty of self-catering is the flexibility to feed children when they are hungry and to head back to base for a nap or a rainy spell without it costing you the day. Keep a couple of indoor options up your sleeve for grey afternoons, and you will sail through whatever the British summer throws at you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best beach in Paignton for young children? Preston Sands and Paignton Sands are both wide, flat and sandy with a gentle slope into shallow water, making them ideal for toddlers and young children.
What can we do with children when it rains? Try Kents Cavern, the indoor animal houses at Paignton Zoo, the Babbacombe Model Village, a swim, the cinema, or games back at the activities room at Cranmore Lodge.
Is Paignton good for a holiday without a car? Yes — the beach, pier and seafront are walkable, and the steam railway, buses and summer ferries reach the rest of Torbay and beyond.
What is the single best family day out? The Round Robin — steam train, ferry and river cruise — or a day at Paignton Zoo are both hard to beat.
Stay at Cranmore Lodge, Paignton
With so much to do within walking distance and the rest of Torbay a short ride away, Cranmore Lodge is an ideal base for a family holiday on the English Riviera. View our family apartments or check availability and book online.
To plan your family break, call +44 (0)1803 556278 or email enquiries@cranmorelodge.co.uk. Cranmore Lodge Holiday Apartments, 45 Marine Drive, Paignton TQ3 2NS.