Paignton

Paignton sits on the curve of Torbay, its sandy beach and Victorian pier giving the town a properly seaside feel without the crowds of its busier neighbours. This stretch of the South Devon coast is gentle rather than dramatic, with the beach sloping easily into the water and a promenade that makes for an easy stroll whatever the tide is doing. It is the kind of place built for a straightforward beach holiday, and it delivers on that promise.

Most visitors stay in one of the town's many guesthouses and B&Bs, and there are plenty to choose from, many within walking distance of the sea. Places like Beach Hotel Torbay B&B, Beaches Guesthouse and B&B Near the Sea trade on exactly that proximity, while others such as Bayside, Beecroft Lodge, Bella Vista and Belle Dene Guest House offer the same easy access to the front a street or two back. Amber House Hotel adds another option for those wanting a more traditional hotel stay. With so many small, independently run places, Paignton suits visitors who like a bit of personal welcome alongside their sea view.

Beyond the beach, Paignton's attractions lean family-friendly. Paignton Zoo is the big draw, a long-established favourite that occupies a large site on the edge of town. Splashdown Quaywest Waterpark gives children somewhere to burn off energy with its slides and pools, while The Children's Play Square & Party Rooms offers an indoor option for wetter days. Occombe Farm brings a working farm and shop into the mix, good for slower mornings and fresh produce. For something more active, Reach Outdoors runs adventure activities that get visitors out on the water or into the surrounding countryside.

The Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Co is one of the best reasons to base yourself here rather than just pass through. Its trains run along the coast and up the River Dart, giving a proper sense of how the sea, the estuary and the wooded hills around Torbay all fit together, before a boat trip back completes the loop. Paignton Pier, meanwhile, is the classic seaside diversion, arcades and amusements set right out over the sand.

Eating out in Paignton follows the same relaxed, seaside pattern as the rest of the town, with cafés and fish and chip stops clustered near the front for anyone coming off the beach. It suits visitors who want their days built around the coast itself, filled in with a zoo visit, a waterpark afternoon or a steam train ride, and their evenings kept simple. That combination, a proper beach with a good spread of family attractions close by, is what keeps people coming back to this side of Torbay.