History

HISTORY

It is thought that the name ‘Paignton’ originates from a religious man called Paega who built a Saxon church about half a mile inland from Paignton Beach (Paega’s tun). By 1086 it was referred to as Peinton and between then and now, there have been over 30 different spellings of the name.

Paignton grew very slowly. In Tudor times, there was a small settlement around the jetty at Roundham (now Paignton Harbour) linked by a track to another settlement around the Paignton Well (now the Fisher Street/Wells Street area). Fishing and farming were the only industries, and Paignton was very much the poor relation to neighbours Brixham, with its fishing fleet, and Torquay, with its rich Abbey and busy quayside.

Much of the development of Torquay began after 1790 as the Napoleonic Wars and unrest ravaged Europe - people looked for a safe alternative closer to home for their leisure, rather than the Italian or French Rivieras. Brixham flourished with its safe harbour for the naval fleet, and fishing and trade gained in importance as links with Europe were cut.

Development of Paignton did not really begin until the arrival of the Railway in 1858. By the 1870’s the popularity of the area had taken off as a location for wealthy Victorians to build their fine residences, and as a bathing resort for a seaside holiday. During this decade, Oldway Mansion and Paignton Pier were built, the Preston sea wall was erected and Paignton Green laid out.

Since then, Paignton, Torquay and Brixham (collectively known as Torbay) have all grown and the fields and lanes between them have been built upon. Today the boundaries between the three towns are mainly lines on a street map – however, if you are a true Paigntonian you will claim to be a definite cut above your neighbours – Torquay? they just built the place so Paignton had something to look at, and Brixham? … all a bit weird down there – bunch of cow-kickers!