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Experience Bude and the surrounding area.
Bude and the surrounding area offers so much to make your holiday or short break an unforgettable experience - here are a few ideas to start you off.
Walking
Here in Bude, a good walk is literally a matter of stepping out of your door, turn left or right a couple of times, and you will find yourself on one of the many public footpaths, bridleways or the South West Coast Path. You will simply never get bored, as Bude has so many different habitats to explore and enjoy. Whether it's a quiet walk along the lush greens of the Bude Canal, a hike along the weather-beaten tracks on the awe-inspiring cliff-tops or a gentle stroll along the picturesque country lanes, bordered by ancient Cornish hedgerows, the beauty of each of these walks is simply stunning. We have a full range of books and maps with local walks available at the Tourist Information Centre, which will help you explore the beauty of our area on foot. Many of these maps highlight interesting facts about the local flora, fauna, history and geology and prices start from as little as 50 pence.
Cycling
Pedal up in Bude and you will soon be traffic free. First take the traffic-free cycle path along the river Neet 2 miles inland towards Helebridge. This is where the cycle path joins the Sustrans Route (Route 3), taking you through country lanes and wheeling you either south towards the Camel Trail or north towards the Tarka Trail. Both trails, the Camel and Tarka Trail, are only a half hour drive from Bude. There are other routes as well - what could be better than cycling to the beach for a day of picnics, sun sea and sand. There are several bike hire and repair shops in the area and the Tourist Information Centre has detailed leaflets on the local trails and routes.
Water Activities
Bude has long been famous for being a surfers's paradise, and justly so! Days with little or no swell are few and far between, and there usually is a good wave to catch! No matter whether you are a beginner, intermediate or professional surfer, there are plenty of beaches to test your skills. An excellent choice of well-established and experienced surf schools will help you master this fantastic and thrilling sport, whatever your standard. And there are many more water activities to explore. With the sea, the Bude Canal and the Tamar Lakes close at hand, you will always find something to whet your appetite for adventure. Test your skills at boogie boarding, learn to navigate canoes and kayaks or take a leisurely few hours out by rowing a boat up the Canal! The Bude Canal offers the perfect backdrop for beginners and the advanced for these activities.With the Tamar Lakes only 5 miles inland, a whole new experience is close at hand. Courses are offered in sailing, windsurfing, canoeing & kayaking, and even multi-activity days, so you will always find a great day full of action!
Bude's Beaches.
Bude and the surrounding area is blessed with accessible, clean, sandy beaches - the jewels in our holiday crown. Our beaches are famous for their haunting beauty, backed by rugged cliffs, they've captivated many a visitor's imagination. No matter if the sea is calm and gentle, or raging with angry waves and white foam, her majestic beauty will always add to the romance of our shores. The main beaches are patrolled by lifeguards during the summer months. Swimming in the open sea is a wonderful experience, but one not to be taken too lightly. Always listen to the Lifeguards advice and follow the flag code. Bude was the birthplace of Surf Life Saving techniques in this Country. The Bude Surf Life Saving Club was founded in 1953 and has since rescued thousands of bathers who got into trouble whilst swimming in the open sea.
Summerleaze Beach, Bude
With the prominent features of the breakwater, Barrel Rock, lock gates into the canal and the river Neet flowing into the sea here, it is probably the most picturesque beach of Bude, inspiring painters, photographers and visitors alike. The little fishing boats, banked on the sand whilst waiting to go out with the next high tide, add to that special charm and atmosphere. Even at high tide there is a good stretch of sandy beach available and, with the tide out, Summerleaze is truly a joy to behold. Popular with families, Summerleaze offers a car park close by, level access from several sides as well as a beach cafe and public toilets. Lifeguard cover is provided from 1st of May until 30th of September.
Crooklets Beach, Bude
Awarded the coveted Encams Blue Flag award this year Crookets is an action packed beach. Although a little pebbly and rocky at the top, Crooklets offers a huge expanse of golden sand once the tide is out. It is very popular with surfers and also home to the Bude Surf Life Saving Club. Bude was the birthplace of Surf Life Saving in the united kingdom and the Bude SLSC hold surf life saving demonstrations on Crooklets Beach every Tuesday evening (7 pm) during the summer. At Crooklets you can hire a beach hut, there is parking, toilets, showers and a cafe/restaurant. Lifeguard cover is provided from 18th May until 30th September.
Northcott Mouth - 3 miles north of Bude
A beach of haunting beauty. Similar to Crooklets in that it is quite pebbly at the top, it offers a huge expanse of sandy beach with the tide out. With towering cliffs on both sides it has a bit of a cove feel to it. Children will explore the fine sand, many rock pools and stream running along through the beach. Owned by the National Trust, it has a little car park halfway down the hill. Although there are not any facilities such as public toilets, there is a Tea-Garden just up the road, which is open during the summer months. Lifeguard cover is provided from 7th July until 2nd September.
Sandymouth, 5 miles north of Bude
This beach and car park is owned by the National Trust. The car park, is situated at the top of the cliff and the walk down to the beach leads you through quite a steep ravine, which is why we would not recommend it for the less mobile. Once there, you'll be rewarded by a lovely quiet beach with its own waterfall! There is a café with public toilets, which are open during the main summer season. Lifeguard cover is provided from 7th July until 2nd September.
Duckpool, 6 miles north of Bude
A wild and romantic cove, which is appreciated most for its wild setting. Dominated by the spectacular peak of Steeple Point Cliff, it is favoured by many as a quiet retreat away from it all. Swimming is not recommended, as the currents are extremely dangerous and razor-sharp rocks only add to the hazards. No lifeguard cover is provided!
Widemouth Bay, 3 miles south of Bude
Widemouth Bay is very popular with bathers and surfers alike. Although it looks like one huge beach, stretching across almost 2 miles, it is actually divided into the North Beach and South Beach (also called Black Rock) by a natural barrier of rock. Widemouth offers excellent conditions to learn surfing or body-boarding, which is why many of the local surf schools have their base here. A big car park, public toilets and beach café are available. Lifeguard cover is provided from 1st May until 30th September (North Beach).
Millook Beach, 5 miles south of Bude
This is again a beach of haunting beauty, yet not the perfect one for those looking for sand & surf. Being littered with thousands of pebbles, it is more of a retreat for those wishing to observe wildlife like seals and dolphins as well as birds of prey and waders. Millook is noted for its geological interest with its world famous Zig-Zag cliff, towering high above the shore. No lifeguard cover is provided.
Crackington Haven, 11 miles south of Bude
Crackington Haven is a wonderful little beach, littered with hundreds of rock pools and teaming with wildlife. It offers quite a big stretch of golden sand with the tide out, and facilities such as car park, pub, cafe and public toilets will make a lovely day out for those who are looking for a quieter spot. Lifeguard cover is provided from 7th July until 2nd September.
If you are looking for a little more than walking, cycling and water activities, you will find that you are spoilt for choice in Bude. How about horse-riding, rock-climbing, abseiling, carting, fishing, golfing, pitch & putting, mountain-boarding, ten-pin bowling, tennis, squash, badminton, paintball & combating? Or, even more out of the ordinary, why not try your skills at field archery? There really is so much to do that it is too much to mention. If you would like any advice on the local activities, the staff at the Tourist Information Centre will gladly provide you with ideas and plenty of information.
