The full guide
Read straight through, or use the planning notes above to shape an easier coastal day.
Bude is a holiday resort whose popularity began with the Victorians. In 1823 a canal was dug to enable sand to be taken in land to be used as fertiliser. Some of this canal remains and is a popular destination for boating and fishing. The small harbour area in Bude has some commercial fishing boats used mainly for lobster and crab but the majority of boats are used for pleasure fishing. Budes beaches (Summerleaze & Crooklets) are a great place for surfing
Morwenstow & Coombe
These are situated north of Bude, with Morwenstow being the most Northerly parish in Cornwall. Robert Stephen Hawker who wrote the Cornish Anthem 'Trelawny' in 1824 was vicar at Morwenstow. The first harvest festival is said to have been held in the church at Morwenstow.
Coombe is the site for many satellite dishes and these can be seen on the clifftop from a fair way down the coast.
Widemouth Bay
Widemouth Bay is the largest beach in the Bude area and is situated just south of Bude itself. It is easily accessed as it is adjacent to the main coast road. Great for surfing and fishing.
Duckpool
Duckpool is a small cove at the foot of a windy lane. It has a small parking area and public facilities. The beach is mainly rocky and pebbly with lots of rock pools but also has a sandy area at low tide.
Sea Fishing in the Bude area
Widemouth Bay is a great beach to fish from if you want to catch some flatfish. You should fish on an incoming tide.
Bude RNLI
The Lifeboat
George Bird - D Class Lifeboat
The Lifeboat Station
Established in 1837, Bude Lifeboat Station is situated in north Cornwall, where rocky coastline and rough surf have resulted in many call outs. Since 2001, the station has operated from Summerleaze Beach.
Support Bude Lifeboat...
With thanks to the RNLI for allowing us to use their images and information
Bude RNLI
The Lifeboat
George Bird - D Class Lifeboat
The Lifeboat Station
Established in 1837, Bude Lifeboat Station is situated in north Cornwall, where rocky coastline and rough surf have resulted in many call outs. Since 2001, the station has operated from Summerleaze Beach.
Support Bude Lifeboat...
With thanks to the RNLI for allowing us to use their images and information
Useful for your next visit
A few useful Down The Cove picks connected to this read.
Common questions
- Where is Bude?
- Bude is on the north coast of Cornwall, close to the Devon border, making it one of the first major Cornish resorts you reach from the east. Its beaches sit within easy walking distance of the town centre.
- What is Bude known for?
- Bude is known for its surf beaches, its historic canal dug in the 1820s, and the Bude Sea Pool, a part-natural, part-built saltwater pool below the cliffs at Summerleaze. It began life as a popular resort in Victorian times.
- What are the best beaches in Bude?
- Summerleaze, with its sea pool and breakwater, sits right by the town, while Crooklets is just to the north. Widemouth Bay, a short way south, is the largest beach in the area and a favourite for surfing and beach fishing.
- What is there to do in Bude?
- As well as surfing and swimming, you can stroll the Bude Canal towpath, try the sea pool, walk the South West Coast Path towards Sandymouth, and explore nearby Duckpool. The clifftop village of Morwenstow lies a little way to the north.
- Is Bude worth visiting?
- Yes. With its sandy surf beaches, iconic sea pool, canal and dramatic cliff scenery, Bude is one of the most appealing and easily reached resorts on Cornwall's north coast.