Broad Street Vintage

Broad Street in Bridport is where you'll find the real heart of this coastal town - a proper high street that actually feels lived-in rather than polished for the postcard brigade. The vintage shops and independent retailers line the street with a bit of character, and it's the sort of place where locals still do their shopping alongside the visitors.

There's no admission fee, obviously - it's a working street - but the appeal here is browsing the independent shops and getting a feel for how Bridport ticks. You're not talking theme-park attractions. What you get is a genuine market town experience, the kind where you might stumble into a vintage furniture place or a quirky bookshop and spend longer than you planned. If you're the type who'd rather wander than queue for attractions, this scratches that itch.

Families with older kids will find it more rewarding than those with toddlers in tow - there's not much to keep the under-fives entertained for hours. But as a base for exploring West Bay's clifftop walks or combining with a stay at one of the nearby parks like Seadown Holiday Park or Golden Cap Holiday Park, Broad Street makes sense as a pit stop for lunch and a mooch around the shops.

Allow an hour or two depending on your browsing speed. Go on a weekday morning if you want it less crowded, though the weekend bustle is part of the charm. It's free time well spent before heading back to your holiday park.