If you haven’t yet visited the English Riviera, why not consider it for a holiday this year. Holidays in Paignton never disappoint, which is one of the reasons why visitors return year after year. It’s an ideal place to make memories of happy, fun-filled, family holidays.
Rock-Pooling or Crabbing?
Paignton boasts some of the finest, award-winning beaches on the English Riviera. Broadsands, Goodrington beach, Preston Sands and Paignton Sands all have stunning, sandy stretches, ideal for sandcastle building. So what else can you do on these fine beaches? The first thing you would think of is water sports; they’re great for swimming too, or boating where you can hire a paddle boat or a pedalo, or maybe even try windsurfing. Have you thought about rock-pooling? It’s a great activity to get the kids near to the sea, and all you need is a net and a bucket for some great adventures searching for sea-life.
The best time of year to go searching rock pools is late spring and early autumn. It’s best to go on a dry, calm day when it’s easier to look into the still waters of a pool.
Rock pooling tips
- Don’t leave home without checking out the tide times for the beach you are visiting
- Always stay safe on the slippery rocks, and keep away from the cliffs
- Remember to wear suitable footwear, take a guidebook, sun-cream, a net and a plastic
- container or bucket
- Make an under-water viewer by cutting off the bottom half of a plastic drinks bottle, cover it with cling-film and immerse into the sea so you can see the creatures more clearly
- If you’re worried about putting your hands into the pools, use a net
- Always place seaweeds and any marine creatures back where you found them – don’t take any home.
- If you collect any shells to take home, always ensure that they are empty
What can you expect to find?
Begin by investigating the surface of the water; if you’re lucky you might find small fish such as blenny, butterfish or a goby. It’s possible you may find something that looks like a swimming shoelace, which is a pipefish, a relative of the seahorse. Shrimps and prawns also live in rock pools, although look carefully as they are fast swimmers.
Nearer to the bottom of the pool you may see a sea hare, a type of sea slug, or a starfish hidden in amongst the seaweed. Now put your hands into the rock pool and turn over the seaweed to expose sponges, sea squirts or sea mats. There is a chance you will spot a keel worm that looks like a white swirl of tube.
Pick up the rocks carefully and you may find a squat lobster or a porcelain crab as it scuttles about. Take care if you spot a red-eyed blue velvet swimming crab as they can give you a nip.
Best Beaches
Broadsands Beach holds a Blue Flag Award with Paignton Sands and Preston Sands also has a Keep Britain Tidy Seaside Award. The main beaches have all the facilities you hope to find on a beach holiday. Beach huts and deck chairs are available to hire. You’ll find shops to purchase buckets, spades and other beach necessities are only a short walk away, ideal to entertain the children.
The beauty of a holiday in Paignton doesn’t just stop at the beaches. The iconic harbour is a hive of activities, with everything from diving trips to just sitting and watching the sunset. There is day trips to suit all holiday makers; Paignton Zoo, Palace Theatre, Geoplay Park, Elberry Cove and much more. More Free things to do in the English Riviera.
Self Catering Holidays in Paignton
Used as a base, the Bedford Holiday Apartments are ideally placed for easy access to many of the beaches and rock pooling locations in Paignton, with some just a short car drive away, or even within walking distance. Our holiday flats are spacious, luxurious and fully equipped with everything you will need to make short breaks or annual holidays in Paignton a success.
Contact us to check availability, call us today on 01803 557 737
