Paignton

Sea air mingles with the aroma of fish and chips along Paignton's bustling seafront, where Victorian pier meets golden sandy beach. This proper English seaside resort delivers everything you'd expect - donkey rides, ice cream vans, and families building sandcastles - yet manages to feel refreshingly unpretentious compared to its glitzier neighbours.

The town sits in a lovely spot on Tor Bay, with Paignton Beach stretching for miles and backed by gentle rolling hills that lead inland to Dartmoor's wild edges. Occombe Farm offers a brilliant day out for families, complete with farm animals and countryside walks through Occombe Valley Woods. It's a proper working farm that hasn't been sanitised for tourists.

History buffs should make the short journey to Compton Castle, a National Trust gem that's been home to the same family for nearly 600 years. The fortress-like manor house feels wonderfully authentic, especially on quieter weekdays when you might have the great hall to yourself.

Getting here couldn't be easier - Newton Abbot station is just up the road with direct trains from London Paddington, then it's a quick hop on the Dartmouth Steam Railway for the scenic route into town. The surrounding South Devon countryside is littered with excellent holiday parks, from luxury glamping pods to traditional family sites. Brownscombe Luxury Glamping and Hoburne Devon Bay both offer cracking bases for exploring not just Paignton but the entire English Riviera, while Whitehill Country Park puts you perfectly placed for Dartmoor adventures too.