Paignton is a seaside town located on the coast of Tor Bay in Devon, England. It sits approximately 25 miles northeast of Plymouth and 20 miles south of Exeter. Along with Torquay and Brixham, Paignton forms the borough of Torbay, an area recognized as a holiday destination known as the English Riviera.
The town has origins as a Celtic settlement and was first recorded in 1086. Historically, it developed as a small fishing village until a new harbour was constructed in 1847. The opening of a passenger railway line in 1859 established key transport links to London and Torquay. As the population grew, Paignton expanded by merging with the neighboring villages of Goodrington and Preston.