Coastal Cards

This little gallery in Par punches above its weight. Coastal Cards is the kind of place you stumble into on a drizzly afternoon and end up spending far longer than you planned, browsing art and cards that actually feel worth buying rather than tourist tat. The work on display tends toward the nautical and local - seaside scenes, quirky coastal humour, the sort of thing that makes you think of someone you know back home. It's intimate without being cramped, and the staff know what they're talking about.

Who gets the most out of it? Anyone with a fondness for proper independent shops and original artwork, really. Not a major draw for very small children unless they're into colouring or creative bits, but older kids and teenagers who appreciate art will find something here. Couples and solo travellers browsing for the afternoon will find it pleasant enough.

It's free to walk in and have a look around. You can spend twenty minutes or an hour depending on whether you're the type to read every card. Being right in Par, it's dead handy if you're staying at Par Sands or East Crinnis Holiday Park - a five-minute walk sorts you out. On a quieter day midweek it feels special. During school holidays it gets busier, but even then it never feels rammed. A solid rainy-day option that won't feel like you've wasted your time.