Preston, Devon facts for kids
Preston is a lovely area located in the northern part of Paignton in Devon, England. It's a really popular spot for family holidays because it has two main beaches. One is Hollicombe, a red sandy beach with cool cliffs and rock pools where you can explore. The other is Preston Sands, which also has fun rock pools, colourful beach huts, and lots of facilities. When the tide is low, you can even walk all the way from Preston Sands to the nearby beaches in Paignton! In 2011, about 10,924 people lived in the Preston area.
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Exploring Preston's Past
Preston once had its very own train station, called Preston Platform. It was only open for a short time, from 1911 to 1914. You can still see where the entrance used to be! It's now blocked with grey bricks on the footpath that goes north, just under the railway bridge at the bottom of Seaway Road. This platform was special because it was the only stop ever built between the main Torquay and Paignton train stations.
Getting Around Preston
The main road that runs through Preston is called the A3022. You can easily get around using the Stagecoach bus service 12. These buses run very often, about every 10 minutes, connecting Preston to other towns like Brixham and Newton Abbot.
Oldway Mansion and Gardens
On the edge of Preston, you'll find a grand old building called Oldway Mansion. This mansion was built for the wealthy Singer family, who were famous for their sewing machines. Later, it became the offices for the Torbay Council, which is like the local government.
Even though there was a plan to sell the building, the Mansion is still owned by the Council. As of November 2020, the Mansion itself is closed to visitors. However, the beautiful gardens around Oldway Mansion are still open for everyone to explore for free! They are a great place to walk around and enjoy nature.
Schools and Churches
Preston has its own primary school, called Preston Primary. Interestingly, this school is technically located in the Livermead area of Torquay. The border between the towns of Paignton and Torquay actually runs right through the school grounds!
You can also find St Paul's Church in Preston. This church was built between 1938 and 1939. It was designed by a famous architect named Nugent Cachemaille-Day.
