Real, curated ideas for Paignton's flat sands, the pier, the harbour cove and places to eat — filtered by who's actually with you.
Paignton is the family end of Torbay and makes no apology for it — flat red sand, a free-to-enter pier full of arcades, and a promenade you can walk the length of with a pushchair. If Torquay is the one with the caves and Brixham the one with the boats, Paignton is the one where children are the point.
The beach is genuinely well suited to it: hard flat sand that holds a sandcastle, a tide that stays close so you are not marching half a mile to the water, and parking right along the front. Seagulls are an active menace — do not leave food or bags unattended, and eat under cover if you can.
The harbour end, ten minutes south, is the quieter half people miss. Fairy Cove tucked behind it is dog friendly all year and has rock pools, and the pubs around the harbour are better than the ones on the Esplanade.
Listings last checked: September 2026
The main beach — long, flat, reddish sand with the pier in the middle and parking right along the front. The tide stays close, so the walk to the water is short and the beach never feels crowded. Seaweed collects in patches. Watch the seagulls, which will take food out of your hand.
The southern stretch below the pier, hard-packed and good for sandcastles, and open to dogs from 1 October through the winter. A couple of minutes from the town centre, which makes it the easy off-season dog walk in Torbay.
The hidden cove behind Paignton harbour — shaded, clear water, rock pools, and dog friendly all year round, so expect dogs off the lead. Steep steps down from the car park above, or an easier approach round via the harbour. Toilets are a walk away and charge 30p.
The best-rated pub in Paignton, right on the harbour over two floors with an outdoor area and views worth sitting for. Seafood platters, well-regarded Sunday roasts, and dogs given blankets and water without asking. Book for Sundays.
Beach-front pub at Preston Sands with a sun-trap beer garden looking across Tor Bay, breakfasts from nine, a log burner for cold days and live music on the terrace some nights. Dog friendly and family run.
Characterful Esplanade pub that is really a live music venue — bands most weekends, a proper carvery, and a friendly crowd of locals. Open until one on Fridays and Saturdays. Relaxed for a drink in the daytime too.
Bright, comfortable all-day café bar by the Festival Theatre with order-at-table by QR code, strong gluten-free and vegan provision, and opening from nine to late. The tapas are poor value; stick to the main menu.
Large Esplanade pub with plenty of indoor and outdoor space, a Sunday-only carvery despite what the signage suggests, and pork belly and chicken dishes that get named repeatedly. Busy and family-oriented; standards vary.