Places to visit

BEACHES IN AND AROUND BUDE 

There are numerous fabulous and clean beaches that are minutes from Fairhaven’s doorstep (all rated as Excellent under new European standards). Bude’s main beach is Summerleaze. It has a large expanse of golden sand and excellent facilities such as a seawater pool, beach café/bistro,  toilets, RNLI base, beach huts to hire, outdoor activities and surf hire, all making it extremely popular.  Lifeguards are on duty throughout the summer months. Bude Canal Harbour entrance and the mouth of the River Neet also make their way to the sea at Summerleaze. The large Breakwater provides shelter for the beach. 

Crooklets Beach is attached to Summerleaze and is just a ten-minute walk around the headland from Fairhaven. Smaller than Summerleaze and a bit rockier, Crooklets Beach is another popular option and has plenty of facilities, including a small promenade lined with beach huts, a children’s playground and Rosies Café. Surf hire is available.  

Five other beaches are close to the Bude, all worth a visit during your stay, and have lifeguard cover throughout the season: Widemouth Bay, Black Rock, Northcott, Duckpool, and Sandymouth.  Low tide exposes numerous sandy coves, well worth exploring 

Beaches within walking distance or 5/10 mins by car

Summerleaze Beach https://www.visitbude.info/for-beach-lovers/beaches/summerleaze-beach/ 
Bude Sea Pool https://www.budeseapool.org/ 
Crooklets Beach https://www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/north-cornwall/crooklets.htm 
Widemouth Bay (perfect for a surfing lesson) https://www.visitcornwall.com/beaches/lifeguards-seasonal/north-coast/bude/widemouth-bay-beach 
Sandymouth Beach https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sandymouth 
Duckpool Beach https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/duckpool

Towns & Attractions North Cornwall

Tintagel Castle https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/tintagel-castle
Port Isaac – perfect for fans of Doc Martin http://www.portisaac-online.co.uk/ 
Boscastle https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/boscastle  
Clovelly – North Devon https://www.clovelly.co.uk/
Bude Segway & Outdoor Pursuits https://www.segwaybude.co.uk/  
North Devon Wake Park https://www.northdevonwakepark.co.uk/ 
Milky Way Adventure Park https://www.themilkyway.co.uk/ 
Tamar Lakes https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/Pages/Site/activities/Category/tamar-lakes

Golf & Tennis

Bude and North Cornwall Golf Club http://www.budegolf.co.uk/ 
Holsworthy Golf Club http://www.holsworthygolfclub.co.uk/ 
Ivy Leaf Golf Club https://ivyleafgolf.com/ 
Bude Tennis Club http://budetennisclub.uk/ 

More information on Bude and the surrounding areas can be found here: https://www.visitbude.info/ 

WALKING AND HIKING 

Bude is an excellent base for walking and hiking. From Crooklets at low tide, you can walk the long, impressive stretch of golden sand to Northcott and then onto Sandymouth. Roughly a three-mile (one-way) exploration. 

The well-signposted South West Coast Path offers scenic walks to four out-of-town beaches in both directions. Ramble South of Bude to Widemouth Bay and Black Rock with breathtaking views of the Atlantic, or head North along the stretch of coast path to Northcott and Sandymouth.  

Bude Canal, built in 1823, has one of only two manually operated sea locks in the UK. Either stretch your legs and take a leisurely 1.5-mile stroll along its length upstream to where the rivers Neet and Strat meet, or you can appreciate the canal and its countryside scenery by hiring a rowing boat, pedalo, or even a stand-up paddle board from the Lower Wharf. 

FOOD IN BUDE 

There are many choices to enjoy fresh local produce a few minutes walk or a short drive from Fairhaven.  Some of our favourites are listed below  

RESTAURANTS IN BUDE 

THE DECK – a favourite for us, especially the kids. American theme, ribs are a must skewers a very close second 
ELEMENTS AT THE BEACH – a close second! Modern Italian, funkiest bar in town, great cocktails, live music Friday and Saturday and spectacular views of Summerleaze from the decked area 
LIFES A BEACH – beautiful spot overlooking Summerleaze Beach for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just an ice cream.  Perfect for sunsets 
POTTERS – A modern, relaxed, refined restaurant serving fresh local produce 
LA BOCA – Pizza to eat in or take away 
THE BANK – overlooking the River Neet, Tapas and Grill. Perfect for a night with friends  
THE OLIVE TREE – Canalside Bistro 
BREAKWATER BRASSERIE AT THE FALCON HOTEL  
TEMPLE – Cool, relaxed café with a healthy seasonal menu 
BAYLEAF – Fine Indian cuisine 

A SHORT DRIVE  

THE BAY VIEW INN, WIDEMOUTH BAY – eat or drink, with an outside decking area overlooking Widemouth Bay 
WIDEMOUTH MANOR, WIDEMOUTH BAY – sat atop the cliff, Sunday Carvery, fantastic bay views 

CAFES IN BUDE & WIDEMOUTH 
The Coffee Pot – breakfast – try the Eggs Benedict 
House of Chaplin – bagel specialist, breakfast, lunch 
Cornish Bakery  
Widemouth Bay Café – overlooking Widemouth Bay, a great spot to stop on a walk. 
Riverside Café 
Rosies – beachside at Crooklets Beach, perfect for breakfast, lunch or a pint by the sea 

PUBS 

The Barrel at Bude – Cornwall’s 1^st Micropub, serving ales, wines, ciders and gins from independent Cornish brewers.  Listed in The Good Beer Guide 2022, one of the top ten pubs in Cornwall 
The Brendon Arms – busy canalside beer garden, restaurant 
Bar35 – for the younger crowd 
The Preston Gate Inn – Poughill, cosy best roast around 
The Coachman Bar and Grill – bar at The Falcon Hotel 
The Carriers Inn – 1 minute from Fairhaven 

Plenty of takeaways are also minutes away; fish and chips from The Mermaid are top of our list 
The Plaice - takeaway fish and chips
Pengenna Pasties - delve into a traditional Cornish pasty whilst on holiday. 
House of Chaplin - pop in for coffee and a bagel whilst taking a break from mooching around Bude’s array of gift shops and art galleries. 
Tian Di - Chinese and Thai restaurant and takeaway. 

More information on Bude and the surrounding areas can be found here: https://www.visitbude.info/   

Accommodation in Bude.

If you’re looking for a beach retreat, a holiday hideaway or a luxury holiday home rental in Bude, check out Fairhaven Bude, a 4-bed self-catering holiday rental close to the beach and the centre of Bude with plenty of parking. Find out more