The English Riviera is a favourite destination for a classic holiday at the seaside. Centrally located like the beating heart of the region is Paignton, an extremely family-friendly town with fantastic amenities that include welcoming cottages to rent, lots of places to eat out, shops, an enormous children’s play area, sandy beach and promenade. Paignton has so much to offer, it even has its own zoo so we strongly recommend you stay for as long as you can to enjoy the many attractions of this beautiful part of Devon. Read more
The Old Print Shed is situated in a peaceful location in the lovely South Hams. It lies on the outskirts of a quiet village within easy walking distance of the 13th Century Public House and Grade I Listed Church. The historic town of Totnes is just 3 miles away. The property is ideally located for those who love walking with Dartmoor National Park and the South Devon Coast within easy driving distance. The area offers historic towns, National Trust properties such as Agatha Christie's Greenway and the glorious sandy beaches of Bantham, Thurlestone and Blackpool Sands to name a few. Lots to see and do for all.
"Higher Whiddon Farm Whiddon Well" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. The ancient Stannary town of Ashburton lies on the southern slopes of Dartmoor and is an ideal spot from which to explore rugged high moors to the North and a beautiful coastline to the South. The scenery in this area of South Devon is glorious...
"2 Bed Cottage in Torquay" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Torbay. Additional information and rules. Please enquire if you wish to bring more than 1 dog - 2 bedrooms – 1 king size, 1 twin - 2 bathrooms – 1 bathroom with hand-held shower and WC, 1 shower room with WC - Electric hob...
"The Cattle Shed" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. The Cattle Shed is the place we all dream of for a truly divine getaway. If relaxing under the stars with a glass of fizz while luxuriating in a private hot tub or taking dip in the lake and then reclining on the daybed pod looking over the...
"2 North Furzeham Road" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Torbay. On the southern end of Torbay, in the region known as The English Riviera and renowned for its consistently sunny, moderate weather, is Brixham, a working fishing port. A life-size replica of Sir Francis Drake's ship, The Golden Hind, serves as...
"Shipwrights" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Torbay. Galmpton is a charming village located in the Greenway region, halfway between Paignton and Brixham, where there are well-kept walks with breathtaking views of the River Dart and chances for ferry trips along the river in the direction of...
"Blue Horizon" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Torbay. Brixham is a working fishing harbour located on the southern side of Torbay, the area known as The English Riviera. The prettiest part of Brixham has small cottages in hilly narrow winding lanes leading to the harbour Home to Britain’s largest...
"Lilac Cottage" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Torbay. Marldon, a small village in Devon's South Hams region, is located in the town. Additionally, there are other small local businesses in this community that may be found in addition to the village hall, tavern offering food, and post office....
"Fishnets" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Torbay. Brixham is a working fishing harbour located on the southern side of Torbay, the area known as The English Riviera, famed for its sunny mild climate all year round. The focal point of the harbour is a life size replica of The Golden Hind, Sir...
"Clock Cottage" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. Clock Cottage is a well-presented cottage forming part of a popular exclusive development situated in the picturesque waterside village of Dittisham and surrounded by 4 acres of communal grounds with views across local countryside and the river...
"1 Bed Cottage in South Brent" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Devon. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - 1 sleeping area with double bed - 1 shower room with shower and WC - 2 ring electric hob, combination microwave oven, slow cooker and fridge with small freezer section - Travel...
"Apartment 17 Abbey Sands" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Torbay. Famous for its sandy beaches, promenades, palm trees and plentiful attractions, the popular seaside town of Torquay in South Devon has been welcoming visitors for the best part of 200 years. Torquay holds many delights for both families and...
"Downsteps Beach House" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 5 guests in Devon. Downsteps Beach House is a tastefully restored fishermans cottage, tucked away in a secluded cove in the seaside village of Torcross. The cottage is a beautiful mix of contemporary and traditional and feels welcoming and homely with a sea view...
"1 Keepers Cottage, Hillfield Village" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. Dartmouth lies on the banks of the beautiful River Dart estuary in the popular and picturesque South Hams area of South Devon. Located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and close to the coast, Dartmouth is one of the most popular...
"The White House" is a 4 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 8 guests in Devon. The White House, family owned since 1927, stands on a promontory overlooking Torcross in South Devon and enjoys dramatic sea views from most windows with a Mediterranean style south facing terrace overlooking the beach below....
"Rowan" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Torbay. Brixham is a working fishing harbour located on the southern side of Torbay, the area known as The English Riviera, famed for its sunny mild climate all year round. The focal point of the harbour is a life size replica of The Golden Hind, Sir...
"1 Bed Lodge in Paignton" is a 1 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 2 guests in Torbay. Additional information and rules. Please enquire if you wish to bring more than 1 dog - 1 king-size bedroom - 1 en-suite shower room with walk-in shower and WC - Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge with ice box, dishwasher,...
"3 Bed Cottage in Ash" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - 2 bedrooms – 1 king-size bed, 1 twin - Separate annexe – 1 twin with TV and small sofa, there are no en-suite facilities suitable for 2 extra guests in the summer months...
"9 Mayflower Court" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. 9 Mayflower Court is a contemporary second floor apartment with wonderful views of Dartmouth harbour. Lovingly refurbished to include a brand new kitchen, newly decorated living room, hallway and bedrooms and stylish new furniture throughout it...
"Millers Loft" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. The small and delightful Georgian market town of Modbury rests in the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, on the western side of Devon’s glorious South Hams district. Modbury offers a range of shops, cosy pubs and good quality...
"Regents Deck" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Devon. The historic, seaside town of Teignmouth is situated in South Devon on the mouth of the Teign estuary and boasts a working harbour, sandy beach, Victorian pier, sailing club, diving centre and sea activity centre. The seaward side of the town...
"Under Oak Pod" is a 1 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 3 guests in Devon. The small village of Bodfari is peacefully located in the lovely Vale of Clwyd, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, beneath the imposing Clwydian Hill Range. Steeped in history, the village has taken on many roles, such as a Celtic camp...
"2 Bed Cottage in Brixham" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Torbay. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - 2 bedrooms – 1 double, 1 twin - 2 bathrooms – 1 family bathroom with shower over bath and WC, 1 en-suite shower room with WC - Electric oven, gas hob, fridge freezer,...
"The Bothy" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. Torcross is a village at the southern end of Slapton Sands, in the South Hams Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A historical site of interest for visitors, this area of coastline is a site where the Normandy landings were practiced. Slapton...
"Bridges Cottage" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Torbay. Idyllically settled along the South Devon Coast, with easy access to the popular destinations of Torquay and Babbacombe Bay is the delightful suburb of St Marychurch. A wander through the suburb will find an excellent selection of eateries,...
Popular towns in and around Devon:
AppledoreAxminsterAxmouthAylesbeareBabbacombeBamptonBarnstapleBeaworthyBeerBere AlstonBickingtonBidefordBlackdown HillsBradworthyBranscombeBratton FlemingBrauntonBrendonBridfordBrixhamBroadclystBroadwoodwidgerBuckfastleighBudeCadburyChagfordChallacombeChudleighChulmleighChumleighClayhidonClyst St LawrenceColytonCombe MartinCombe RaleighCreditonCroydeCullomptonDalwoodDartmoorDartmouthDawlishDevonDittishamDrewsteigntonDulvertonDunsterExeterExmoor National ParkExmouthGreat TorringtonHartlandHolsworthyHonitonHope CoveIlfracombeKingsbridgeLiftonLydfordLynmouthLyntonMaidencombeMemburyMineheadMoretonhampsteadMortehoeNewton AbbotNewton AbbottNoss MayoOakhamptonOkehamptonOkehampton HamletsPaigntonParkhamPlymouthPonsworthyPorlockPrincetownSalcombeSauntonSeatonShaldonSidmouthSimonsbathSlaptonSouth HamsSouth MoltonTavistockTeignmouthThrowleighThurlestoneTivertonTopshamTorbayTorcrossTorquayTotnesUmberleighUpotteryWelcombeWestward HoWidecombe in the MoorWinkleighWoolacombeWoolacombe BayYealmptonSome local suggestions:
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Paignton is the perfect seaside resort town. The mile-long stretch of sandy shore is ideal for walking, building sandcastles and enjoying the sunshine in a deckchair, while the calm waters are perfect for paddling and swimming. Paignton Pier is a traditional seaside sight, offering a choice of quick and tasty food and entertainment for the kids. Backing onto the beach is a large play area including a flat green (the site of a fair for most of the summer) and the excellent GeoPark that is so good you’ll have to bribe the kids with an ice cream to leave. Fortunately, Paignton takes its desserts seriously, and there is a good choice of cafes, pubs and restaurants.
Paignton’s relaxed pace is ideal for unwinding and having fun with your family. The English Riviera gets more than the national average amount of sunshine and warm temperatures, meaning you can spend all day at the beach punctuated with a round of mini golf, crabbing in the harbour and hot cinnamon doughnuts on the pier. If the weather isn’t great, then head indoors to the cinema or choice of amusement arcades.
If you feel like a change of venue for a day at the beach, head north to Torquay, the main town on the English Riviera. With its Victorian promenade and beautiful seafront Princess Gardens, fun rides on the English Riviera Wheel, and attractions geared around its most famous resident, Agatha Christie, you can while away a good few hours in Torquay. Or go south to Brixham where there is a busy harbour and marina with a small beach and outdoor swimming pool. Further afield are Goodringham Sands and Portland.
There is a wide array of attractions away from the beach that includes the ever-popular Paignton Zoo, Splashdown Quaywest water park, and Occombe Farm. Nearby National Trust properties include Compton Castle, Greenway, and Coleton Fishacre.
The South West Coast Path passes through Paignton with the stretch of footpath around Paignton’s Roundham Head being wheelchair accessible and offering breathtaking views of the English Riviera’s coastline. Another nice walk is from Paignton to Brixham, following way-marked footpaths through the gorgeous South Hams countryside and Elberry Cove.
Being close to Dartmoor National Park means visitors have easy access to endless miles of footpaths, not to mention mountain bike trails and opportunities to climb and cave. Thrill-seekers can try their hand at coasteering, surfing and stand-up paddle-boarding, while other ways to have fun include fishing, sailing and RIB tours, golf and cycling.
Days out from Paignton can include a puppet show at Weymouth, fossil hunting at Lyme Regis, or skimming stones at Durdle Door. The historic naval city of Plymouth is under an hour’s drive from Paignton where there is an aquarium and museums, shops, restaurants and other entertainments. Don’t miss the views from Plymouth Hoe, a stroll around the Barbican’s cobbled lanes, and the site from which The Mayflower left England for America.
The English Riviera takes its reputation as a favourite holiday destination seriously, ensuring there is always something fun to see and do in the school holidays. The town has a fun calendar of family-friendly events ranging from air shows to food festivals, fireworks, markets, and literary events.
If you are searching for a family-friendly holiday destination where everything is within easy reach, then Paignton is simply perfect.
