Paignton

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Paignton

Paignton (pronounced 'Paynton') is an English coastal town on the English Riviera near Torquay, in the county of Devon. Over the years Paignton and Torquay have grown into each other, and together with Brixham (to the south), they form the unitary authority of Torbay.

History

Paignton (previously spelt 'Peynton', but based on the older Paiga's|Paega's town after the Celtic founder) appears in records in the 11th century. For most of its history it has been primarily been a fishing village. During its expansion in the 19th century, a new harbour was constructed according to the Paington Harbour Act of 1837 (yet another spelling).

The railway to Paignton was built by the Torbay and Dartmouth Railway, opening to passengers on 2 August 1859. This connected Torbay with London and the region became a popular tourist destination for rich Londoners.

Since then the rise of tourism has fuelled an even greater expansion which led to Paignton effectively swallowing the adjacent coastal villages of Goodrington and Preston. Oldway Mansion, formerly the home of the Singer family (of sewing machine fame) lies between Preston and Paignton, and is now the meeting place of Torbay Council. Other Singer legacies in Paignton include the Palace Hotel and the Inn On The Green, both of which were homes for Isaac Singer's sons, and Paignton Green itself, which was used as a runway for their private aircraft. Paignton Green is also where the young Torquay-born novelist Dame Agatha Cristie helped tend the wounds of allied Belgian and Japanese soldiers in the Great War; it is believed that the inspiration for her literary creation Hercule Poirot was based upon a Belgian Captain.

Tourism

Paignton depends heavily on tourism, and is marketed predominantly at the lower- to middle-earners of the British population. The long beach, during the summer, is crowded by tourists devouring ice-cream and fish and chips.

Night life is predominantly late-opening bars and clubs on the sea-front. A recent addition to Paignton's attractions is the Quaywest waterpark on Goodrington beach. One of the attractions in the town is Paignton Zoo.

The Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway is another attraction, operating steam trains over the heritage railway line from Paignton to Kingswear

Paignton beach and the nearby Preston Sands are used for water sports such as wind and kite surfing, as well as dinghy sailing.

Local trivia

Sue Barker, television presenter and commentator, and former professional tennis player was born in Paignton on 19 April, 1956. During her tennis career she won the women's singles title at the French Open and reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 3.
The Torbay Picture House (now closed) is believed to be Europe's oldest purpose-built cinema which was built in 1907. Seat 2 Row 2 of the circle was the favourite seat of crime novelist Agatha Christie, who lived in neighbouring Torquay. The cinemas and theatres in her books are all reportedly based on the Torbay Picture House. It was also used as a location for the Donald Sutherland film Eye of the Needle and The French Lieutenant's Woman (filmed mainly at Lyme Regis in Dorset). Student film-makers also used it as a location.
The Royal Bijou Theatre (now demolished) was the venue for the first ever performance of The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan.

Transport

Paignton railway station is situated near the shops and a short walk from the beach along Torbay Road. Queen's park station for the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway is on an adjacent site on the beach side of the busy level crossing which is at the end of the main platforms.

The bus station faces the main entrance to the railway station.

Chartered Institute of Wastes Management Exhibition

Paignton is the location of the annual national exhibition for waste management. The exhibition has taken place in Paignton every June since the 1970s. The exhibition is run by the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management.

External links

Seaside resorts in England | Torbay | Towns in Devon