The family holiday resort of Paignton has an attractive promenade and extensive sandy beaches. Carriages pulled by restored steam locomotives depart from the station along the 7mi/11km of the Torquay and Dartmouth Steam Railway.
Other highlights include the Paignton Zoo, the well-preserved Kirkham House from the 15th century and Oldway Mansion, circa 1873.
Compton Castle is a National Trust property built between the 14th and 16th centuries. For most of the last 600 years it has belonged to the Gilbert family, descendants of Sir Humphrey Gilbert, half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh and colonizer of Newfoundland.
Address: Compton Castle, Marldon, Paignton TQ3 1TA, England
Hours:
April 2 to October 30: 11am-5pm; Closed: Sun, Tue, Fri, Sat
Tips: Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Oldway Mansion was commissioned in 1871 by the sewing machine manufacturer Isaac Singer, whose son had the large hall made into a copy of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. It is also worth visiting Kirkham House, a lovingly-restored 14th century town house and medieval Cornton Castle, which stands outside the town of Paignton.
The Paignton Zoo is dedicated to protecting global wildlife heritage. It is one of England's largest zoos, set in 75 acres of conserved land. It has over 60 endangered species in natural habitats including a new desert habitat and ape center.
Address: Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU, England
Hours:
May 1 to September 30: 10am-6pm
October 1 to April 30: 10am-4:30pm
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
The Round Robin is a road, rail and river tour of Totnes, Paignton, Kingswear and Dartmouth. The tour can be started at any point and you can stop to enjoy the sights at any or all points along the way. From Paignton, the tour continues on on a steam train to Kingswear where you will take the ferry to Dartmouth.
Address: Round Robin, Paignton , England
Tips: Please phone to confirm Sailings available on the day you intend to travel, these will vary according to the tides.
Tickets may be purchased from any point on the tour: Dartmouth, Paignton, Totnes or Kingswear.
Family (2 adults, 2 children)
Read More
Read Less
