TBH Par Sands isn't the nicest beach around. Par is a former industrial port for the china clay industry and there are still remnants of that around.

Luckily Polkerris is just around the corner and there's also a smashing pub there called the Rashleigh Arms. Very good food and child friendly.

A bit further on is Fowey, one of the true gems of Cornwall.

In the other direction you'll find Carlyon Bay but most of that is taken up by the hotel there. There's also Charlestown harbour there - a historic working museum that is used in films a lot.

Further on from that is Mevagissey and St Austell.

Plenty of pubs etc round the area so you can't really go wrong.

If you like reading then get yourself a copy of Du Mauriers 'House on the Strand'. It's set in Par/Tywardreath area and you can still work out places in the book when you're there.

Also you're only down the road from Eden. Don't miss out the Luxulyan Valley either for one of the most inspiring aqueducts in the country.