Paignton Pier and the Dartmouth Steam Railway: A Classic Day Out

Some days out work because they are sleek and modern. Others work because they refuse to be. Paignton Pier and the Dartmouth Steam Railway are the second kind. One is a Victorian timber pier from 1879 with dodgems and an ice cream kiosk. The other is a working heritage steam line that has been running coastal trains in some form since 1864. Pair them, and you have a day that feels like it has come from a 1950s holiday brochure, in the best possible way.

Start at Paignton Pier

Paignton Pier sits in the middle of Paignton seafront, a five-minute walk from the train station and right next to the green. The pier itself is free to enter and open all year, every day, from morning to late evening. The full mix of amusements opens up later in the morning and runs through the day.

What you actually do on the pier is a small choose-your-own-adventure. Children gravitate to the trampolines, the mega slide and the dodgems. There is ten-pin bowling at the seaward end. The Jurassic-themed crazy golf is a properly designed nine holes that suits any age. The arcade has the usual mix of 2p machines, claw grabs and ticket games. There is also a carousel that has been working there for years and seems unlikely to ever stop.

What surprises first-time visitors is how good the view is. From the deck at the far end, looking back, the whole of Paignton seafront and the green sweep into view, with Torquay’s hills behind. Looking south you can see across to Brixham. It is a free piece of view that you do not have to spend anything to enjoy.

Practicalities

Parking is at Tanners Road or along the seafront, both within five minutes’ walk. The pier itself is flat and accessible. Toilets are at the entrance. The cafes on the pier do reliable ice cream, hot drinks and toasted sandwiches. Pay as you go on the rides, or buy ride wristbands if your children are likely to ride everything twice.

Then board a steam train

The Dartmouth Steam Railway station sits a five-minute walk from Paignton Pier. It is called Queen’s Park station, and is a beautifully preserved Great Western Railway period station with wooden benches, gas-lamp-style signs and the smell of coal smoke when an engine is in. Trains run from February half term through to the end of October, plus the Christmas Train of Lights service in November and December.

The route runs 6.7 miles from Paignton to Kingswear, hugging the cliffs above Goodrington and Broadsands, crossing the Hookhills Viaduct, threading through Greenway Tunnel, and pulling alongside the River Dart on the descent into Kingswear. From Kingswear, a passenger ferry takes you across the river to Dartmouth town. The classic ticket is a round-robin, with steam train one way, river boat back up the Dart, and bus back to Paignton, which gives you a properly varied day.

2026 tickets vary by trip type, with fares starting from around £11.25 for shorter combinations and rising to £42 or so per adult for the full round-robin (prices were close to that level in late 2025, so it is worth checking the official site for current pricing). Children, families, dogs and bicycles are all catered for. Booking online is recommended in peak season.

The Train of Lights

If you are visiting in November or December, the Train of Lights is the must-do version. The carriages and the trackside scenery are decorated with around half a million lights, the train runs after dark, and there is a Father Christmas service for younger children on selected dates. It books out properly early, so reserve in October if you are coming around Christmas.

How to plan the day

Here is a workable shape. Start mid-morning on the pier with crazy golf and an hour of the arcades. Walk along to the railway station for an early afternoon departure. Take the steam to Kingswear, ferry across to Dartmouth (around five minutes on the water), spend two hours in Dartmouth (it is a properly pretty town with riverfront restaurants, narrow lanes and a castle if you have time). Either river-boat back up the Dart and bus back to Paignton, or steam train both ways. Aim to be back at the pier by 6pm if you fancy a fish and chips supper looking out at the sea.

The Paignton Pier and Dartmouth Steam Railway combination works for any weather. The pier has indoor amusements and bowling. The train carriages are warm and dry. Even a grey day suits the experience, because steam smoke against grey sky is somehow the right look.

Accessibility

Paignton Pier is fully accessible. The Dartmouth Steam Railway has accessible carriages on most services, with ramp assistance available, but you should phone ahead so the team can confirm the carriage layout on your service. Wheelchair spaces are limited per train.

Why this pairing works

What you are doing on a Paignton Pier and Dartmouth Steam Railway day is the British seaside holiday more or less unchanged across three generations. The pier is a Victorian invention. The railway is older still. Both are looked after by people who clearly care. The combination gives you an afternoon that is not chasing trends and does not need to. Children love it, grandparents love it, and the bit in the middle of the family tends to look up from a phone and start enjoying themselves properly.

For a different angle on Paignton’s family-friendly side, our piece on Splashdown Quaywest and the rest of the Paignton thrill strip covers the noisier end of the day.