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.

Bude: Sea Pool, Surf & Sandy Beaches

Bude

is North Cornwall's breezy surf-and-sand resort, a Victorian favourite where wide Atlantic beaches meet a historic canal and a much-loved tidal sea pool. With Summerleaze and Crooklets within easy reach of the town centre, it's a relaxed base for surfing, swimming and clifftop walks.

Browse coastline guides

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.

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