Book Now

EXPLORE THE AREA

THE BEACHES IN BUDE

Bude is home to several stunning and impeccably clean beaches, all rated Excellent under new European standards. The town’s primary beach, Summerleaze, boasts a wide stretch of golden sand and superb amenities, including a seawater bathing pool, a beach café/bistro, a beach office and shop, restrooms, an RNLI base, beach huts for rent, outdoor activities, and surf gear rentals. This makes it a favourite among visitors. The Bude Canal Harbour entrance and the River Neet both flow into the sea at Summerleaze. A large Breakwater offers protection to the beach.

Crooklets Beach, a smaller beach connected to Summerleaze, is only a ten-minute walk from Beachbreak. Crooklets is another favored spot for beach enthusiasts and offers various facilities, including a promenade with level access and a flat viewing area. This beach is also home to the Surf Life Saving Club and the annual Christmas Day Swim.

In the vicinity of Bude, there are four additional beaches, each worth visiting during your stay and all providing lifeguard coverage during the season: Widemouth Bay, Black Rock, Northcott, and Sandymouth. Additionally, there are numerous hidden beaches and coves scattered among the Cornish coastline’s nooks and crannies, perfect for off-the-beaten-path exploration.

WALKING AND HIKING

Bude serves as an excellent starting point for walking and hiking adventures. At low tide, you can walk from Crooklets along a magnificent stretch of golden sand all the way to Northcott and then to Sandymouth, covering roughly three miles one way.

The South West Coast Path, which is well-marked, offers picturesque walks to four out-of-town beaches. You can head south from Bude to Widemouth Bay and Black Rock, enjoying the stunning Atlantic views, or trek north along the coastal path to Northcott and Sandymouth. Be sure to pause for a cliff-top picnic with fresh scones and local jam (jam goes on first) while taking in the sea views.

The historic Bude Canal, constructed in 1823, features one of only two manually operated sea locks in the UK. You can take an easy 1.5-mile walk along the canal upstream to where the rivers Neet and Strat converge below the A39 road bridge, or enjoy the canal’s scenic beauty by renting a rowing boat, pedalo, or stand-up paddle board from the Lower Wharf.

FOOD IN BUDE

For dining options during your stay, a short walk up the road from Beachbreak offers a variety of eateries. There is also an abundance of local produce to sample. After a satisfying meal, take a circular route home via Summerleaze and Crooklets beaches and enjoy the breathtaking sunset over the ocean. Some of our favorite dining spots include:

 

Bude Town Centre
  • Potters: A contemporary evening restaurant serving fresh local fare.
  • The Plaice: A takeaway offering classic fish and chips.
  • Pengenna Pasties: Savor a traditional Cornish pasty during your holiday.
  • House of Chaplin: Stop by for coffee and a bagel while taking a break from shopping in Bude’s gift shops and art galleries.
  • Tian Di: A restaurant and takeaway serving Chinese and Thai cuisine.
Summerleaze Beach
  • Life’s a Beach: A café by day and a bistro by night, specializing in local seafood.
  • The Beach at Bude: Elements restaurant offers delicious food and drinks with views over Summerleaze.
  • The Deck: Serving seafood, burgers, and steaks.
Canalside
  • The Brendon Arms: Traditional pub fare near the canal.
  • The Olive Tree: A canal-side coffee house and bistro featuring local Cornish produce.
  • The Weir: After a walk along the canal, refuel at The Weir’s coffee house and bistro.
Northcott Mouth
  • Sip + Sea at The Rustic Tea Garden: An outdoor-only, hidden-gem café offering delectable cakes and drinks, perfect for a pit stop while walking the coastal path.
Widemouth Bay
  • Widemouth Manor: Ideal for a carvery with an impressive sea view.
  • Bay View Inn: Pub food with stunning sea views.