Paignton

Paignton
View along Preston Sands beach
Paignton Location within Devon
Population	67,520 (Built up area, 2021)[1]
OS grid reference	SX8960
Unitary authority	Torbay
Ceremonial county	Devon
Region	South West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Paignton
Postcode district	TQ3, TQ4
Dialling code	01803
Police	Devon and Cornwall
Fire	Devon and Somerset
Ambulance	South Western
UK Parliament	Torbay Totnes
List of places UK England Devon 50°26′7″N 3°33′45″W / 50.43528°N 3.56250°W / 50.43528; -3.56250

Paignton (/ˈpeɪntən/ PAYN-tən) is a seaside town on the coast of Tor Bay in Devon, England. Together with Torquay and Brixham it forms the borough of Torbay which was created in 1968. The Torbay area is a holiday destination known as the English Riviera. Paignton has origins as a Celtic settlement and was first mentioned in 1086. It grew as a small fishing village and a new harbour was built in 1847. A railway line was opened to passengers in 1859 creating links to Torquay and London. As its population increased, it merged with the villages of Goodrington and Preston. Paignton is around 25 miles (40 km) north east of Plymouth and 20 miles (32 km) south of Exeter.