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Explore our built and natural attractions.
Come rain or shine, we have so many places to visit and things to see for all the family that you'll be spoilt for choice. Special villages and towns such as Boscastle, Tintagel, Port Isaac, Padstow and Clovelly, invite you to take a step back into history. Local theme parks will thrill all the family and local gardens and historic houses will be of interest to those looking for horticultural joys and places full of heritage. With Lundy Island just off-shore a wildlife paradise is close at hand too! You will be surprised how much you can explore within ½ hour's drive!
Special Villages & Towns
This part of Cornwall oozes history and heritage - in fact there is surprise around every corner. Rural life sets the beat in the smaller villages and surrounding area of Bude. There are Country pubs with local produce on the menu, flower meadows and ancient hedgerows, buildings of special interest & architecture and ancient churches well worth a visit! Perfect examples of such lovely places are Stratton, Poughill, Morwenstow, Kilkhampton, Marhamchurch, Week St. Mary Poundstock and St. Gennys.
A little further afield, to the south of Bude, you will find Boscastle & Tintagel, which can easily be combined in a day trip. Boscastle, now reconstructed after the devastating floods of August 2004, is a delightful medieval fishing village full of character. The Cornish cottages, built of local stone, are huddled around the narrow harbour, with imposing cliffs towering above. Tintagel, said to be the legendary birthplace of King Arthur, is one of the best known villages in Cornwall. The dramatic castle ruins, dated back to the 12th/13th century and perched high on a rugged cliff head, certainly evoke the feeling of legends and mystery. A visit to Tintagel Castle, as well as the Old Post Office and King Arthur's Halls make an impressive day out!
A little north of Bude, you will find the delightful Hartland Peninsula and village of Clovelly. The wild beauty of Hartland, with its quay and lighthouse, is fascinating. Hartland Abbey and Gardens are well worth visiting. Clovelly delights its visitors with its rather spectacular setting, quaint fishermen's cottages and fantastic hanging basket displays. Literally clinging to a steep cliff side, it is only accessible by foot, although visitors can be taken down into the harbour by a Land Rover service.
Finding fun for all the family can be a difficult task. The younger children usually want to see animals and have fun on merry-go-rounds, whilst the teenagers would prefer something more daring, such as mountain-boarding, combating or Karting. Those are the days that theme parks, like the Big Sheep just this side of Bideford, offer the perfect solution. With plenty of animals to get close to, it will delight both young and old. A combat zone and snowboarding-experience are on the grounds too, so youthful youngsters will be glad to find their entertainment. And there are many more in the area! How about visiting the Tamar Otter Park, the Wonderyears Toy Experience, Launceston Steam Railway, Bradworthy Transport Museum, Cobbaton Combat Collection or Dinscott Tank & Military Collection?Should you like any advice on what to see or do in the region, our friendly Tourist Information staff will gladly help.
