Beaches in Bude

Each with its own character and charm, the beaches in Bude are great whether you’re a swimmer, surfer or sand-snoozer.

Summerleaze Beach – Boasting the iconic sea pool, and only a five-minute walk from the centre of Bude, Summerleaze Beach is Bude’s central hub of sand, surf, and sun. Clean, safe, and easy on the eye, Summerleaze Beach is a big hit with surfers, sun-bathers, and families. However, it’s the sheer variety of activities that mark Summerleaze as arguably one of the best beaches in Cornwall for outdoor pursuits and watersports so definitely swing by if you love a hands-on holiday.

Crooklets Beach – At low tide, you’ll find a huge expanse of golden sand along with lots of rockpools to explore, making it very popular with families. There’s also decent surf and lots of amenities nearby including a beach café for those all-important ice creams and even a skate park.

Widemouth Bay Beach – Stretching across one and a half miles of golden sands, Widemouth Bay is divided into two halves, the North beach and the South beach, separated by a natural barrier of rock known as Black Rock. As the tide retreats, amazing rock formations are exposed - perfect for rockpooling and getting back to nature!

Northcott Mouth Beach – Three miles North of Bude is the small rocky beach Northcott Mouth, which is owned by the National Trust. As the tide drops, the beach opens up to expansive sand with rockpools dotted all around - perfect for exploring with the dog all year round.

Things to do in Bude

Whether you love spending your time surrounded by the coast or countryside, there are plenty of exciting things to do with the whole family in tow.

Bude Castle

Ordinarily, a castle built on the sand might not seem like the best idea, but Bude Castle has really stood the test of time! Built around 1830, the castle was formally the home of Victorian inventor Sir Goldsworthy Gurney. It’s now a heritage centre with lots of fascinating exhibitions and art galleries, making this impressive feat of architecture an interesting day whatever the weather.

Bude Bike Hire

Why explore the beautiful surrounding area of Bude on four wheels when you can head out on two! There’s a great selection of bikes available for hire around Bude, which suit all ages and most abilities – saddle up!

Bude Sea Pool

Opened in 1930, this partially man-made tidal swimming pool in the rocks of Summerleaze beach provides a lovely, safe place to swim, perfect if you’re not ready to swim in the sea. The pool is open all year round, but of course, it depends on the tide and weather, so always check before heading out.

Surfing & Watersports

Based near Summerleaze beach, Bude Surfing Experience provides water sports equipment hire and watersports lessons so you can hit the waves running as you try your hand at surfing and stand-up paddleboarding!

Alternatively, Freewave Surf Academy at Widemouth Bay offers surfing, coasteering and SUP lessons, while Big Blue Surf School offers a range of surfing lessons, from complete beginners to advanced.

Shopping

There is a range of lovely shops in Bude where you can stock up on all the usual holiday essentials. Head to Banford’s Bude, Jemima Rainbow, or Wildwood Cornwall for unique Cornish gifts, or you can stop by the Refill Shop for some environmentally friendly supplies. You’ll also find popular big names from FatFace to Ann’s Cottage, which houses all the top surfing brands.

Walks

With lots of stunning walks in and around Bude, walkers will be spoilt for choice when it comes to scenic routes. Head out onto the South West Coast path for dramatic coastal paths or head inland and explore the many walkways, which take you across crisscrossing fields, through woodland trails and even past Bude’s historic aqueduct.

Dining Out

After a day frolicking in the sea, we often find ourselves in need of a big feed, which is perfect when you’re surrounded by all the great places to eat in Bude. Head to Life’s A Beach for epic food and relaxed vibes or live out your dream of feasting on the water at The Barge! Another quirky stop-off that’s of special gin-terest is The Surfin’ Frog, which not only serves up cracking food but offers guests a choice of over 20 Cornish gins! If you’re looking forward to a cosy evening in, then a visit to the Little Pig Farmshop will see you kitted out with everything you could possibly need for an evening of foodie delights.

Getting around

If you want to leave the car behind, you can easily explore the surrounding area on foot or by bike, which is made even easier thanks to the local bike hires. Buses are always an option, especially if you want to enjoy a linear walk with a bus ride at the end, or you can make use of the many car parks dotted around the town.