Paignton Beach, Pier and Seafront
I’m not somebody who likes to lie around on the beach much these days, but for families, Paignton seafront has all the ingredients to make a perfect holiday.
The sunny, south facing beach has sand that’s perfect for making sandcastles, and its Blue Flag status makes the sea perfectly safe for even the tiniest of tots to paddle and swim in.
If the youngsters get tired of playing on the beach, then there’s always the 780 ft long Pier to wander along. It first opened in 1879 and was initially used as a place for music and dancing, but those days have long gone, and instead there are now traditional slot machines, the latest video games, and a children’s play park with ‘rides and slides’ including a helter skelter. Since the 1980s the pier has been constantly upgraded and is as popular as ever.
The Esplanade separates the beach and pier from Paignton Green, which is used for a variety of different things. When it’s not being used for special events, the Green reverts back to being an open space ideal for playing ball games or just lazing around. There’s also a cinema, popular Pirate’s Bay crazy golf course, and the even more popular Geoplay Park.
Based on the theme of the English Rivera’s Geopark status, the playground brings education and fun together. It’s somewhere kids of different age groups can play, jump, and swing their way through the various geological time periods: Since it was installed in 2012 it’s been a huge success, and sometimes I’m convinced that there are more kids playing in the Geoplay Park than there are on the beach.
During the summer holiday period the seafront comes alive with a host of events to suit all ages. The funfair arrives to complement the Paignton Festival and Paignton Regatta, which always ends with a firework display, but probably the best thing to look to the skies for are the aircraft that take part in the Torbay Air Show which usually includes a Typhoon, Battle of Britain Memorial Fly-past, and the ever-popular Red Arrows.
Another popular event is BMAD – ‘Bikers Make a Difference’. This weekly event takes place every Wednesday from 6-10pm between May and September on Paignton Seafront. It’s estimated that a mile of bikes turn up each week where their owners can have a chat and check out each other’s bikes, and their requested £2 donation has raised an enormous amount of money over the years for local and other worthy causes. Cars are banned, but there’s no stipulation about what sort of bikes are able to come along, but as you can imagine, there are some weird and wonderful specimens that turn up – and some of the bikes are unusual too!
In May, BMAD also have their very own festival when literally thousands of bikers turn up to enjoy special performances such as the Wall of Death, live bands, and of course, the funfair. There’s never been any hint of any trouble, probably because most of them were teenagers around fifty years ago.
Outside of the holiday season the seafront takes on a much more relaxed atmosphere: The hustle and bustle of the summer season is just a distant memory and sometimes all you can hear are the waves gently lapping the shore and seagulls overhead.
The days of getting sand between my toes are well behind me now, but there’s still nothing better than to take a stroll along the prom first thing in the morning when the sun is rising and there is just me and the gulls for company. Now that’s what I do like about Paignton Seafront.
ORIGINAL POST – MAY 2018
LATEST UPDATE – JUNE 2025
Originally posted 2018-05-26 05:13:14.
I’m smiling at the bikers. It is the same here. The oldies are the only ones able to afford the bike!
You’re right. It used to make me laugh (and I shouldn’t really) when heavy rock bands turned up for the festival and all the bikers were dressed in leather carrying a walking stick or using a wheelchair.