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.
"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...
"Toad Hall Cottage" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Devon. Set in wonderful Devon countryside, lies the charming village of Blackawton. Home to a handy community shop selling all the essential items, as well as vibrant local pub serving up hot meals, visitors to the area have all their needs covered....
"2 Dart" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. Positioned alongside a picturesque creek of the River Dart in South Devon, Stoke Gabriel is a delightful unspoiled village, a firm favourite for many visitors who come for its beautiful tranquil riverside setting. You need not venture far from...
"No.1 Cottage, Brixham" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Torbay. Step inside to find a welcoming open-plan lounge and dining area, complete with comfortable seating, a 32” television, and a dining table for four. The lounge offers a bright and relaxed space to unwind after exploring the stunning South Devon...
"The Dairy, Higher Yalberton Farm, Paignton" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Torbay. This property has gas central heatingLiving RoomA beautiful light-filled ground floor room with two sets of patio doors opening out to the back gardenFurnished with a sofa, upholstered bench, Smart TV and...
"Lodge 63 at Riviera Bay Coastal Retreat" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge 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...
"White Oxen Manor, Owl Cottage" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Devon. White Oxen Manor is situated within a sheltered valley on the southern boundaries of Dartmoor National Park surrounded by fields and woodland. It is an ancient listed Devon Longhouse standing in its own...
"Woodpecker Cottage" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. Woodpecker Cottage is a delightful little hideaway, close to the village of Stokenham and set deep in Devon countryside up a narrow wooded lane, bordered by fields and farmland. The village, a 7 minute walk away, has two...
"Brixham Breeze Cabin" 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...
"Lupin" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. Lupin is a fabulous first floor apartment at the beautiful Stancombe Manor complex which offers guests access to an indoor pool, sauna, games room, snooker room, tennis courts, and lovely grounds with a childrens’ play area. This well presented...
"1 Coachman's Cottage, Hillfield Village" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Devon. Dartmouth lies on the banks of the beautiful River Dart in the popular and picturesque South Hams area of South Devon. Located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and close to the stunning Start Bay coastline, Dartmouth is one of the...
"Glebe Cottage" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. A short drive from the coast, Glebe Cottage, the oldest property in the village and dating back to the 15th Century, is the quintessential quirky thatched cottage you’d picture when dreaming of a cosy country stay, tucked deep in the...
"Cob Cottage" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. Newton Abbot is situated in the heart of The English Riviera, with its mild climate and thriving palm trees. The ancient market town now offers plenty of modern shops, both local and well-known high street chains and six leading brand...
"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...
"Apple Tree Cottage" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Devon. Apple Tree Cottage is a beautifully renovated thatched cottage in the heart of the well placed village of Chillington, just a short distance from the coast at Torcross. This tasteful property has three bedrooms, a modern kitchen and shower room...
"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...
"1 Ilsham Cottages" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 5 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...
"Gooder House" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Devon. Dartmouth lies on the banks of the beautiful River Dart in the popular and picturesque South Hams area of South Devon. Located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and close to the stunning Start Bay coastline, Dartmouth is one of the...
"Bywater" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 7 guests in Devon. This attractive, detached, comfortable and practical house with stunning views from most windows will appeal to many. Families who have a yen for a holiday by the sea and birdwatchers too, as this family home is situated on the edge of the...
"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...
"The Mews" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. Between Bovey Tracey and Newton Abbot is the charming Devonshire village of Chudleigh Knighton. A few services are available in the village, such as Warner the Café, Claycutters Arms, and a post office, and river walks along the River Teign are...
"Avon Barn" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Devon. Tucked deep in a wooded valley close to the River Avon in the tiny hamlet of Curtisknowle, hidden in the very heart of the South Hams. Converted from the original linhay and stables, Avon Barn provides an ideal base within easy reach of the...
"Hazel Lodge" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Devon. Newton Abbot is situated in the heart of The English Riviera, with its mild climate and thriving palm trees. The ancient market town now offers plenty of modern shops, both local and well-known high street chains and six leading brand...
"Fairyfield" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 8 guests in Devon. Fairyfield is a superb, very private detached house on the South Devon coast with only one near neighbour, all on one level and with stunning views from most rooms across a wonderful seascape that sweeps across Start Bay to the...
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.
