Bude
In 2013 Bude was named the sunniest place in the United Kingdom and is a lovely seaside resort on the Cornwall and Devon border. It is renowned for its coastline and is a popular resort with families, couples, and those looking for a weekend away.
Seaside heritage
Bude is renowned for its beaches which attract visitors from far and wide. Summerleaze is one of the most picturesque beaches in Britain with golden sands, a breakwater and beach hits. It also has lock gates from the Bude Canal and is renowned for being one of only a few beaches in the UK with a natural tidal swimming pool. Crooklets Beach is another delightful sandy beach in Bude and Northcott Mouth is popular with families due to its rock pools. Sandymouth is a quieter beach approached down a steep cliff and Duckpool is a remoter and wilder cove near Bude. Widemouth Bay is very popular with visitors and renowned for surfing and swimming. For sheer cliff top beauty the Strangles and Crackington Haven are some of the most beautiful beaches in the area.
Bude has many other opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh Cornish air. There are fishing day boats in the area that take anglers out to catch mackerel and bass, and scuba diving where the wrecks off the coast are a big attraction. Bude also has some excellent cycling trails and is also popular with horse riders. Walking is an excellent way to see the countryside and with the magnificent South West Coastal Footpath running through the area there are some really scenic routes. There are also guided geology walks to see some of the magnificent rock formations. Walking along the Bude Canal is really interesting as it has a lot of links to the industrial heritage here and is a picturesque place to walk and cycle.
Attractions
Bude has a surprising amount of things to do. It is close to famous stately homes including Prideaux Place and Pencarrow which make an interesting day trip. Hartland Abbey and Gardens is another popular place to go within a short drive of Bude. Just off Hartland Point, a day trip to Lundy Island is an excellent way to spot local wildlife such as seals. Along the coast at Padstow the National Lobster Hatchery is a fascinating insight into local wildlife and conservation. In nearby Launceston Trethorne Leisure park is an excellent way to amuse families on a rainy day. Launceston Castle is another interesting place to visit with views across the surrounding countryside. The Big Sheep in Bideford is another family attraction. Bude’s Rebel Cinema has regular showings of the latest movies and there are lots of crafts and souvenir shops in town to explore. The nearby village of Clovelly is a delight to explore with its steep narrow streets. Down the coast Tintagel castle is reputed to be the home of King Arthur and its position on the cliff top is dramatic. Tintagel also has the House of Chivalry where visitors can learn about the Knights of the Round Table.
Bude also has lots of good restaurants serving fresh seafood and locally grown ingredients. The local pubs are also great places to find local beer and quality cuisine. Along the coast the foodie town of Padstow is popular and there are many good tea rooms in the surrounding towns and villages. There are lots of choices of places to stay which includes hotels, guest houses and self-catering apartments. Bude is an excellent choice of a holiday destination and especially for those who enjoy the beach and a coastal area.
Why not view our video postcard from Bude below to really get a feel for the area?