Local Landmarks
Bude is within easy reach of a number of famous landmarks you may want to visit while during your stay here. There are many beautiful areas and local villages such as Clovelly, Port Isaac, Tintagel and Boscastle, all of which have lovely coastal walks and of course, the famous Eden Project which is less than an hour’s drive away.
Tintagel Castle – the historic English Heritage site at Tintagel with its spectacular location on the dramatic and windswept coast about half an hour south of here, is a place of myths and folklore, where the legend of King Arthur was born. You can climb the rugged trail, watch the breakers crash against the cliffs into Merlin’s Cave and explore the Castle ruins.
From its impressive vantage point, The Beach Café serves a locally produced food including its famous Fish and Chips, homity pie and homemade cakes. There is also a shop which specialises in books, tapestries and medieval themed gifts.
Launceston Castle is another local English Heritage site, with its unusual 13th century keep set on a large natural mound. The construction of Launceston Castle began soon after the Norman Conquest. It was once the administrative headquarters for the Earl of Cornwall and its significant location provided the best vantage point from which control could be kept over the various estates in the area. The Castle still dominates the surrounding landscape and the tower top can be reached via an internal staircase to offer breath-taking views of the historic town and countryside.
The Eden Project – within an hour’s drive you will find an excellent day out, The Eden Project which is extremely popular with our visitors right throughout the year. Eden boasts the largest conservatories in the world, including the largest indoor rain forest with its steamy climate and towering trees in a 50 metre high Rainforest Biome, through to a Mediterranean Biome which features over 1000 types of plants grown in warm temperate regions of the world, taking in the Mediterranean, South Africa and California.
The outdoor Garden Biome evolves with the seasons and tells the fascinating story of plants, and how we use them for things like medicine, fuels, materials and food the world over.
The Eden Project also has an active events calendar holding concerts, exhibitions and seasonally themed events and making it a great day out all year round. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants on site with a wide range of healthy eating options.
Clovelly – about 30 minutes north over the border into Devon, lies the charming and unusual village of Clovelly. The quay dates back to the 14th Century and access to the quay and local pub is via a steep cobbled street – too steep for vehicles and therefore all provisions and supplies are brought into the village using wooden sledges and donkeys! The village has a strong tie to Charles Kingsley who lived there as a child and was inspired to write the Water Babies and Westwood Ho! whilst in Clovelly. Clovelly retains its timeless charm with original craft shops, tea rooms and villager cottages and an extensive visitor centre.
