Paul Downes is an English folk guitarist, singer and composer from Exeter, United Kingdom. He works in folk music and is associated with traditional material as well as wider singer-songwriter and instrumental approaches.

As a solo performer, he releases his own albums and also works in a range of collaborative settings. He is known for performing as part of the duo Paul Downes & Phil Beer, and for playing in bands including Arizona Smoke Revue and Joyce Gang. Alongside this, he is regularly used as a session musician.