Discover Local Paignton: What to Do Around Mercure Paignton

At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for Paignton, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?

Paignton in 5 picks

Paignton Harbour

A working harbour with fishing boats still tied up alongside the restaurants, this is where to find the day's catch cooked simply. TJ's Restaurant by the water is known for fresh, locally landed seafood and harbour views, and it's an easy stroll from the seafront.

Paignton Sands

The town's main beach is a long, wide stretch of golden sand right below the hotel, made for a slow morning walk before the day heats up. It's a proper family beach: gentle shelving water, plenty of space, and no need to fight for a spot even in peak season.

Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway

A working steam line that traces the coast down to Kingswear, with sea views on one side and Devon countryside on the other. It's an old-fashioned way to spend an afternoon, and a good option if the weather turns.

Paignton Zoo

Home to over 2,000 animals across botanical grounds, this is one of the region's most-visited attractions and an easy taxi or short drive from the seafront. Give it a half day at least; the gardens alone are worth lingering in.

Goodrington Sands

A Blue Flag beach just south of the main seafront, quieter than Paignton Sands and backed by parks, amusements and cafés. It's the pick if you want clean water and a bit more room to spread out.

Where to eat
Paignton's food scene follows the coastline: harbour restaurants for fresh fish, seafront cafés for a Devon cream tea. Remember the local rule, it's cream first, jam second, unlike the Cornish version, so don't get it backwards in front of a local. TJ's by the harbour is the reliable pick for seafood landed that morning.
The English Riviera, at a slower pace
Paignton doesn't try to be Torquay, and that's part of its appeal. It has the beach, the zoo, the pier and a working harbour without the crowds of its flashier neighbour four minutes up the line by train. The South West Coastal Path runs along the edge of town if you want a proper walk with sea views the whole way.
Right outside your hotel
Mercure Paignton sits directly on the seafront overlooking Paignton Green, with the beach itself about a 4-minute walk away. The town centre is on the doorstep, roughly 5 minutes on foot, and the harbour is an 11-minute stroll along the front. Paignton railway station is about 10 minutes' walk, and Torquay is just 4 minutes away by train if you want a change of scene.
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FAQ

Not really. The beach, town centre and harbour are all within a 10-minute walk of Mercure Paignton, and Torquay is a short train ride away if you want to venture further.

Cream first, then jam, on your scone, the reverse of the Cornish method. Get it right and you'll avoid an argument with any local café owner.

It's a bit far to walk comfortably, around 2.5km, so a short taxi or drive of a few minutes is the more practical option.

Where to sleep

See Mercure hotels around Paignton, all within reach of these picks.

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Where to sleep

See Mercure hotels around Paignton, all within reach of these picks

View hotels