In the latter part of the 19th Century the town of Paignton was slowly developing and as speculators ran out of farm land to build on they turned their attention to draining and reclaiming the area of the sea front comprising of marshlands and sand dunes. The legacies of these men who were instrumental in developing Paignton as a seaside resort can still be seen all around the sea front today.
The Eastern Esplanade built in 1869 was part of the sea defences. Cordoned off in the Second World War to prevent enemy landings, it was reopened to the public in 1945.
Paignton Green (North ) originally owned by a Mr MacLean and conveyed to the local council in1866 has been the arena for many events in the 1990’s the site for Hancock’s fair and the Regatta and notably in 1910 Aviator Claude Graham White landed his biplane there during the review of the British Fleet. The Regatta and the Torbay Airshow are regular events today.
Paignton Beach and the iconic Paignton Pier established the town as a popular seaside resort during this period.
Paignton Green (South) This area includes among many other buildings and notable hotels the Vue Cinema which can trace its history through many previous existences dating from 1525 until the present time and the Paignton Club which was originally fisherman’s cottages demolished in 1881.
The fascinating history of the Green, it’s iconic buildings and the men responsible for its development are well signed posted in this trail.
