EXPLORE THE AREA

THE BEACHES IN BUDE

Bude has a number of magnificent and spotlessly clean beaches to explore (all rated as Excellent under new European standards). The towns main beach is Summerleaze. It has a large expanse of golden sand and excellent facilities such as a sea water bathing pool, beach café/bistro, beach office and shop, toilets, RNLI base, beach huts to hire, outdoor activities and surf hire, all making it extremely popular with visitors. Bude Canal Harbour entrance and the mouth of the River Neet also make their way to the sea at Summerleaze. The large Breakwater provides shelter for the beach.

The smaller Crooklets beach is attached to Summerleaze and is just a ten minute stroll from ‘The Pebble’. Crooklets beach is another popular option with beach-goers and has plenty of facilities including a promenade which offers level access and a flat viewing area. This beach is also the site of the Surf Life Saving Club and hosts the popular, annual Christmas Day Swim.

There are four other beaches in close proximity to Bude, all worth a visit during your stay and all with lifeguard cover throughout the season: Widemouth Bay, Black Rock, Northcott and Sandymouth. Just off the beaten track there are also numerous hidden gem beaches and coves to explore amongst the nooks and crannies of the Cornish coastline.

WALKING AND HIKING

Bude is a great base for walking and hiking. From Crooklets at low tide you can walk the long impressive stretch of golden sand all the way to Northcott and then onto Sandymouth. Roughly, a three-mile (one-way) exploration.

The well signposted South West Coast Path offers scenic walks in both directions to four out-of-town beaches. Ramble South of Bude to Widemouth Bay and Black Rock with breathtaking views of the Atlantic, or head North along the stretch of coast path to Northcott and Sandymouth. Don’t forget to stop and enjoy a cliff top picnic with fresh scones and local jam (jam goes on first) whilst admiring the sea views.

We are very lucky to have the fabulous Bude Canal, built in 1823, which has one of only two manually operated sea locks in the UK. Either stretch your legs and take an easy 1.5 mile stroll along its length upstream to where the rivers Neet and Strat meet below the A39 road bridge, or you can appreciate the canal and its countryside scenery by hiring a rowing boat, pedalo, or even a stand-up paddle board from the Lower Wharf.

FOOD IN BUDE

If you’re heading out for dinner during your stay, just a short walk up the road from ‘The Pebble’ you will be spoilt for choice with places to dine. There is also lots of fine local produce to sample. With full bellies, take the circular route home via Summerleaze and Crooklets beach and watch the stunning evening sunset over the ocean. Some of our favourite places to eat include:

Bude Town Centre

Potters – A modern evening restaurant serving fresh local produce.
The Plaice – takeaway fish and chips
Pengenna Pasties – delve into a traditional Cornish pasty whilst on holiday.
House of Chaplin – pop in for coffee and a bagel whilst taking a break from mooching around Bude’s array of gift shops and art galleries.
Tian Di – Chinese and Thai restaurant and takeaway.

Summerleaze Beach

Life’s a Beach – daytime cafe, nighttime bistro for local seafood.
The Beach at Bude – Elements restaurant serving delicious food and drinks with views over Summerleaze.
The Deck – Seafood, burgers and steakhouse.

Canalside

The Brendon Arms – traditional pub grub near the Canal.

The Olive Tree – Canal side coffee house and bistro offering local Cornish produce.

The Weir – walk along the canal and refuel at The Weir’s coffee house and bistro.

Northcott Mouth

Sip + Sea at The Rustic Tea Garden – a quirky, outdoor-only, hidden-gem cafe selling delicious cakes & drinks. An ideal pitstop when walking the coastal path.

Widemouth Bay

Widemouth Manor – a great choice for a carvery with a fabulous view of the sea.
Bay view Inn– pub grub with sea views