Steps lead down to Elberry Cove which is shingly rather than sandy, but a pleasant spot if the water skiers aren’t around.

At the far end of the small beach are the remains of Lord Churston’s Bath House: Built in the 18^th century, this 3-storey building allowed the ground floor to be flooded as the tide came in, and enabled His Lordship to go for a swim without losing his dignity even if he lost his swimming trunks. Come to think of it, he probably wore a swimming costume back then – or perhaps he didn’t wear anything at all, who knows?

The coast path between Elberry and Churston Coves involves a steepish climb to begin with, and then a walk through Marriage Woods, and for those with mobility problems, it’s probably best to call it a day at Elberry if I’m being honest.

The village of Churston Ferrers lies just inland between the two coves and is easier to access from Elberry if you’re walking.

Churston Court was the home of Lord Churston and has had a presence here since Anglo-Saxon times. Today, it’s run as a hotel, and as soon as you walk in, you can almost hear the walls telling you about its past. In 1967, after a thousand years of aristocratic life, the manor house was sold. I don’t know who bought it, but when I first came here the owner was Peter Malkin, a man I previously came across when he restored Boringdon Hall, another historic building on the outskirts of Plymouth. He did a magnificent job there, and he did another one here.

He was a very amiable character and so it came as a bit of a shock to see his face on TV with a warrant out for his arrest. Without going into all the details, his marriage had broken down and he was wanted for abducting his son. After a world-wide search, they eventually caught up with him and he went to prison for 8 months. Most of the history about Churston Court goes back long before Peter Malkin made it available to the general public, but I think he deserves to be part of its history.

Well, that’s it as far as Paignton is concerned. I came here on holiday when I was a kid and loved it – so much so, that I think that’s why I’ve ended up here. Times have changed, and although Paignton isn’t quite the same place as it was (like most other places I suppose), I still have a fondness for it.

I’ve changed as well: Travel and different interests broaden the mind no end, and as much as I’ve loved visiting all these other places, when I wake up each morning and see a beautiful sunrise, or go to bed and see the moon shimmering on the water, I thank my lucky stars that I live in somewhere like this. Paignton isn’t perfect by a long way, but it’s still a place that families love to come to – and I can think of a lot worse places to live.

ORIGINAL POST – OCTOBER 2020

LATEST UPDATE – JULY 2025