Bude Tourist Information
- Take in the stunning views from the harbour.
- Drive a tank at Dinscott Tank and Military Collection.
- Surf and bodyboard at Crooklets beach.
A charming North Cornwall coastal town, Bude is as diverse as it is beautiful. With history dating back to early Christian settlers, Bude became popular as a seaside resort in Victorian times. Today, Bude is a vibrant coastal town famous for its excellent surfing conditions and its picturesque countryside scenery. Bude boasts plenty to enjoy during your stay, ranging from active pursuits, such as golf, horse riding and surfing, to more laid back offerings such as a day at one of four beaches, numerous guided walks and two military museums in the area.
Bude is blessed with a number of fine restaurants, cosy Inns and pleasant bistros, as well as a quaint town centre with a varied range of shopping options. Numerous castles and stately homes are in to be found in and around the area to be explored, while just off the coast Lundy Island is a fascinating haven of wildlife and peaceful, unspoilt landscapes.
Food and Drink
Bude is well equipped to meet the most discerning customers’ gastronomic requirements. From cosy Inns and pubs such as the Bullers Arms, Tree Inn and the Inn on the Green, to top local an organic restaurants including Elements Bistro and the Broadsmoor restaurant, Bude boasts a host of culinary options. Life’s a Beach restaurant offers picturesque views over Summerleaze beach while the Bayview Inn offers Cornish twists on some culinary classics. The centre of the town also benefits from a host of coffee shops and cafe’s to choose from after a day at the beach.
Family Attractions
A vast array of attractions await Bude’s visitors. If you fancy a spot of horse riding, Broomhill Manor and Efford Down Stables both offer the opportunity for both the experienced and those new to equestrianism. For a more military-themed family adventure, Dinscott Tank and Military Collection offers visitors a variety of tanks and weapons of war as well as the chance to drive a tank, while Cobbaton Combat Collection boasts a similar range of military hardware. Tintagel Castle, Pencarrow House and Penhallam ruins are all in and around the Bude area, making for perfect day trips for the family. Numerous guided walks are on offer throughout the area, while just off the coast, Lundy Island is a positive paradise of wildlife.
Shopping
A diverse range of shopping options are available in and around the Bude area. As well as the quintessential seaside stores selling gifts and bucket and spade sets, an impressive array of art galleries, clothing boutiques, New Age mystical shops, surf shops, a top quality deli and numerous book sellers. For basic groceries, Sainsburys and Co op are in the town centre, while a short drive out of town will take you to Morrisons.
History and Heritage
A deeply historical town, the name Bude is believed to have derived from a corruption of an ancient expression meaning ‘harbour of holy men’ and for this reason, it is thought that Bude was the docking point for early settling Christians to these shores. Often tagged ’the liveliest place in Cornwall’, Bude has something of a reputation as a hot spot of activity and merriment. The prominence of Bude as a tourist destination began in Victorian times, as the birth of the seaside resort became more apparent. Bude has also risen to fame as a surfers haven, being dubbed the ‘Bondi of Britain’ by Australian surfers.
Beaches
The beaches are Bude are a marvellous spectacle to behold. Summerleaze is arguable the most beautiful, inspiring writers, poets and artists alike. It’s not hard to see why, with its panoramic views of the harbour, breakwater and canal lock gates, it really is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Crooklets beach is ideal for windsurfing with its strong winds and plays host to Bude Surf Life Saving Club, who offer regular demonstrations on safety at sea.
Northcott Mouth offers towering cliffs on both sides, creating a cove-like effect, and comes complete with rock pools for the kids to explore. Sandymouth beach is the only one in the area to boast its own waterfall! All the beaches are equipped with cafes, lifeguards and ample parking.
Events and Entertainment
One of the most popular events on the Bude calendar is the Bude Jazz Festival. Held in the last week of August, a taste of New Orleans comes to Bude, with 162 events spread over 8 days of smooth jazz sounds. The itinerary includes two massive street parties and two large scale church services, as well as a host of other fun activities. Geological walks occur throughout the year, in addition to regular farmers markets where exceptional local produce can be sampled then purchased.
Activities
Keen anglers are in luck in Bude with two coarse fishing lakes on offer, at Hele Barton and Upper Tamar Lake, fully stocked with Tench and Carp. With its windswept beaches, Bude is also perfect for a variety of water sports including kite surfing, windsurfing and just plain old surfing. Golfers can tee off at Ivyleaf Golf Club or Bude and North Cornwall Golf Club. A massive range of other activities are also on offer in and around the surrounding area, including paintballing, rock climbing, pitch and putt and ten pin bowling.
Travel
Travelling to Bude can be done in a variety of ways. National Express runs a coach service to the town, while the nearest major train station is Exeter St David’s, from then on the X9 bus will take you direct to Bude. Once in the town, most attractions are within the town or a short bus journey away. The town benefits from good bus service in and around the town, while the wider areas of North Cornwall and North Devon are accessible in this way too. The nearest airports are Plymouth or Exeter International.