Paignton has long been a favourite with visitors, particularly families who are looking for that traditional seaside break to the South Devon coastline. This beautiful seaside resort is nestled amidst the palm trees of the English Riviera and is within easy reach of Brixham and Torbay which are popular places to visit on days out during your holiday.
One of the many highlights of coach holidays to Paignton are the stunning sandy beaches which have been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness so parents will be more than happy to bring their children to Paignton Sands as the shallow sea is perfect for paddling in. Not only can you paddle in the sea but there's also pedalos, boats and other fantastic watersports available for you to hire. You'll also find plenty of seaside entertainers, amusement arcades, Crazy Golf and Donkey Rides which are sure to keep everyone entertained during your break to Paignton. The sea wind can sometimes be blustery at times but as Paignton is a secluded cove, you should not be affected by this so take full advantage of the beach shops, ice cream kiosks, restaurants and bars all within easy reach of the sea front.
Visit Paignton Zoo, home to a variety of animals and plant life covering 75 acres of conservation land. Another popular attraction is the Dart Valley Steam Railway which travels between Paignton and Kingswear allowing you to then take a ferry to Dartmouth for a spot of shopping or where you can enjoy a relaxing cruise along the River Dart. For a spot of tranquillity, visit Goodrington Promenade and admire the beautiful illuminated gardens but if you're looking for fun, the activities along Paignton Pier should keep everyone amused. There are many other amazing places to visit all within easy reach of Paignton and these include: Quaywest Water Park, Babbacombe Model Village, Kents Cavern and the home of popular crime thriller novelist, Agatha Christie, at Greenway.
All coach holidays to Paignton start from £99 per person and usually include; return coach travel throughout (unless self-drive), hotel accommodation in a good standard hotel, meals and a variety of included or optional excursions to places of interest so that you see the best of this traditional seaside resort during your break.
Tourist offices
For further information about Paignton you can visit the official tourist board website at: englishriviera.co.uk
Paignton is definitely much more than just a seaside resort on the English Riviera, so make sure you plan a visit to some of these wonderful places during your holiday:
Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company
The Steam Railway and River Boat are unique in offering river, steam railway and sea adventures in the South Hams and English Riviera. The steam trains travel along the most spectacular coast between the seaside resort of Paignton and the beautiful village of Kingswear. The river boats run excursions on the stunning River Dart and offer daily scheduled services to the historic town of Totnes and regular services to the picturesque village of Dittisham.
Paignton Zoo
When visiting the zoo, you will get the chance to get close to over 2000 animals and over 1600 species of plants all set in over 80 acres of naturalistic landscaped grounds. It is one of the earliest combined zoological and botanical gardens in Britain and first opened in 1923. The park is now owned by Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust.
Kents Cavern
The cavern is one of the most important Stone Age cave sites in Europe and is Britain's first prehistoric cave. For thousands of years, it was home to our distant ancestors, sheltering them from extreme weather and wild Ice Age predators. On your visit, you will be taken back to these ancient times as you walk through the extensive labyrinth of caverns surrounded by spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations. The caves are now a protected UNESCO site.
Compton Castle
This a dramatic fortified manor house with a small formal garden. This medieval fortress with high curtain walls and towers, set in a landscape of rolling hills and orchards, was used in the filming of 'Sense and Sensibility'. For nearly 600 years, it has been home to the Gilbert Family and whilst visiting you can wander around the medieval kitchen and Great Hall.
To help you have an enjoyable holiday in England, please take a look at these useful tips and advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office:
Health and Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended by all our tour operators and for some operators it is a condition of booking. When choosing a travel insurance please ensure it fully covers all your personal requirements including pre-existing medical conditions, cancellation charges, medical expenses, and repatriation in the event of accident or illness. As a British citizen you will obviously be entitled to free emergency health care on the NHS.
If you are visiting England from outside the United Kingdom and fall ill or are involved in an accident and are from an EU country or Switzerland, you can use a valid EHIC issued by your home country to access healthcare. Please note this is not an alternative to travel insurance. Comprehensive travel insurance is advised for nationalities planning on visiting the UK.
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If you need to contact the emergency services whilst in the UK simply dial 999 or 112 to ask for an ambulance.
Crime
The United Kingdom is a safe place to visit, however, as with all countries please exercise common sense. Petty crime can occur so take your usual precautions such as not leaving luggage unattended, beware of pickpockets in tourist areas and leave valuables in the hotel safe.
Local Laws and Customs
Queuing is a British Institution - jump a queue at your own risk!
If you are visiting from outside of the United Kingdom, it is wise to check customs requirements before you travel. If you are planning to bring alcohol, tobacco or souvenirs into the country, you need to be familiar with the UK's custom laws. If you go over your allowances, you may have to pay tax or duty. It is worth checking the HM Revenues and Customs website before you travel.
UK Entry Requirements
When travelling between the UK, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man you may need to show a Border Force officer a document confirming your identity. In most cases an official form of identification such as a driver's license or an armed forces identity card will be ok. However, some airlines will insist you show a passport so please check before you travel.
If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein you can enter the UK with one of the following identity documents: a passport, an Irish passport card or a national identity card issued by an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, if you’re eligible to use one. The identity document should be valid for the whole of your stay.
If you’re from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you must have a valid passport to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay. You may also need a visa, depending on which country you’re from. Please check here if a visa is required before you travel.