Nearby
If you like large sandy beaches then you will be spoilt for choice, Summerleaze, Crooklets, Northcott Mouth and Sandymouth are all spectacularly large, unspoilt 'typically Cornish' beaches; just a couple of miles south is Widemouth Bay one of the world's most famous surfing beaches. All these beaches are backed by dramatic cliffs providing some beautiful coastal path walks. For more leisurely walking, the Bude Canal towpath climbs slowly inland, conveniently passing one of the best tea rooms in the area.

Exploring Cornwall on foot
We are just 20 minutes walk from one of the most spectaular parts of the South West Coast Path with its stunning views and challenging terrain. Alternatively, just a short drive will take you to beautiful villages such as Clovelly, Port Isaac and Boscastle, all of which have lovely coastal walks. Both Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor are within easy reach where you either take a short stroll or a serious moorland trek.

Exploring Cornwall by car
All within an easy day out are such visits as the National Maritime Museum at Falmouth, Lands End, St Ives and the Tate Art gallery and of course, the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Exploring Cornwall by bike
In addition to plenty of lovely cycle routes on quiet country lanes there are two cycles paths within easy reach - the Tarka trail near Bideford and the famous Camel trail, which runs from high on Bodmin Moor to Padstow.

Bude
The North Coast of Cornwall is one of the most unspoilt parts of the country. Bude, famous resort of the North Coast, is tucked away at the top of the county like a best kept secret - once discovered it is rarely forgotten - people of all ages come back time and time again. You will find it remarkable for its space, fresh air, spectacular scenery and friendly welcoming atmosphere. It's a place where you can try many activities in natural surroundings or just relax. A place where you can walk, swim, surf, sail, fish or cycle. Somewhere you immediately feel at home and where you can simply unwind and escape.

Bude's beaches with their vast clean expanse of sand have a real and instant attraction; but discerning visitors also appreciate the other charms of this special area of Cornwall. As we all become aware of the real value of preserving natural habitats, of fascinating geology and unspoilt local features - and of spaciousness, freedom and friendly communities - we appreciate areas which value their heritage and seek to preserve their natural surroundings. Bude is perhaps most popular for what it does NOT have! Regular traffic jams and large scale commercialism are not what Bude is about - a friendly reception and a totally natural environment is very much more the scene.

'The long wave and the thundering shores of Bude' as Tennyson expressed in his poem, The Birth of King Arthur, have long made Bude a surfers’ paradise and the area continues its long association with the sea. Today our surfers include families and youngsters exploring the sport for the first time. Several schools operate offering expert qualified tuition not only in surfing but in a variety of water-based and challenging activities in natural surroundings.

The Town itself is fairly compact with many locally owned shops and restaurants. There are plenty of open spaces with the Canal and Wharf area, marshes and nature reserve, and the delightful Downs between Summerleaze and Crooklets beach - all are within easy walking distance of the car parks.

Bude's compactness and friendly atmosphere has made it an ideal place for festivals. The most famous is the internationally acclaimed 8 day Jazz Festival at the end of August which regularly features over 150 events including 4 fabulous New Orleans type street parades; not surprisingly it is known as Britain's friendliest jazz festival. The annual re-enactment of the Battle of Stratton, Bude Carnival, RNLI Day and numerous local festivals and revels, coupled with an increasing number of regular sporting events and challenges have ensured a calendar of events with something for everyone. More recently the May Model Boat Festival and the Festival of Music in June are attracting many devotees. Back to top.

LINKS

Places of interest

Bude Visitor Centre

The Milky Way

The Big Sheep

Historic Houses

The Eden Project

Tamar Lakes

Tintagel

Clovelly

Bude Canal

South West Coast Path

Port Isaac

Dartmoor

Boscastle

Bodmin Moor

National Trust

English Heritage

National Maritime Museum

St Ives

Tate Gallery

Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Tarka Trail

The Camel Trail

Padstow

Cornwall Online

Cornwall Chycor

Devon Connect

Visit Britain

OTHER LINKS