Plan your summer in Bude!
Often when families are planning their summer holiday, they want to know what will be going on in and around the local area that will keep everyone entertained. Well, you’ll be pleased to know there are loads of things to do in Bude and the latest Bude Guide is now available – complete with a handy map to help you find everything easily!
For fine days, the natural landscape provides a myriad of coves and clean sandy beaches to enjoy, many of which are RNLI patrolled from May till September and often have great waves for body boarding and surfing. Or if you prefer, you can swim in Bude’s famous Sea Pool and learn valuable water skills with the RNLI’s Swim Safe programme during the summer months.
For walking enthusiasts, the South West Coastal Path offers cliff and coast walks with spectacular views of the ocean and rock structure – make sure you have suitable walking boots (and stamina) to manage the undulating terrain! You may be relieved to know there are many “refuelling” stops along the way from Widemouth’s Beach House Café Takeaway with its famous fish & chips and global street food or Trelawny’s delicious cakes and cream teas, or Rosie’s Kitchen at Crooklets, through to The Bush Inn and The Rectory Tea Rooms at Morwenstow, where you can also see Hawkers Hut – the UK’s smallest National Trust property.
If geology is a real interest for you, Dr Higgs is an expert on Bude’s rock formations and runs guided tours every Sunday morning and Wednesday afternoon starting at Bude’s Tourist Information Centre
If you prefer a gentler stroll, then the canal is a flat, less demanding route and takes you through the nature reserve which is home to many varieties of wildlife. Besides the more common varieties of birds and butterflies, you could also see herons, kingfishers, oyster catchers and egrets. There is also a cycle path along the canal and if you are visiting without your bike, you can hire one from Bude Bikes.
Thrill seekers have plenty of choices including surfing, body boarding, kayaking, coasteering, abseiling and rock climbing. There are many good local schools, including Shoreline Extreme Sports operating from Bude, Raven Surf School with ex British and European surfing champion Mike Raven which operates at Widemouth, and Outdoor Adventure who operate from both locations.
If horse riding is your thing, then Bude is one of the few places in the country where you can ride on the beach – a real thrill for experienced equestrians! You can also ride along the cliffs for days when the tide is not right.
In addition to the many activities you will find around the shoreline, there is also, tennis, pitch & putt, skateboarding, golf, clay pigeon shooting archery…. the list goes on! Trust me, you will not be short of things to do here!
And the really great thing is, all these activities are within a very short distance of each other.
The 2015 Bude Guide in now available from the Tourist Information Centre – complete with map!
