Bude - where coast meets countryside


beaches, check with them before setting off.


Twenty minutes’ drive north of Bude, Morwenstow is a wild and beautiful place.


Lower Wharf,Bude


Bude has a wide range of wonderful activities and places to visit on offer!


Aside from the obvious appeal of the beautiful beaches, the Bude canal is a lovely and unusual feature in this part of the world.


Since the completion of the canal regeneration project in 2008, the towpath takes you on a flat (pushchair and wheelchair friendly) two-mile walk from Bude to Helebridge.


Wildlife along the canal is abundant. Otters are often spotted and there is a bird hide overlooking the nature reserve.


Come and visit the canal exhibition in the Tourist Information Centre.


South of Bude is Widemouth Bay, a popular surfing spot, and only an hour’s amble along the coastal path.


North of Bude the delights of National Trust beaches at Northcott Mouth and Sandymouth Bay await.


At low tide it is possible to walk four miles along the sand. Working with low-tide times, it is possible to do a circular walk between Bude and Sandymouth by going in one direction along the coastal path and one way along the beach.


However, do check tide times carefully and, if the lifeguards are on duty on the


Leave your car near the ancient Bush Inn (which incidentally serves lovely food and a great pint!) and stroll down to the award-winning Rectory Farm Tearooms.


Over the fields lies Hawker’s Hut, the smallest property owned by the National Trust in the country.


Built from driftwood by the eccentric Reverend Hawker, vicar of Morwenstow church in the 1800s, who wrote his sermons and poetry there, no doubt fuelled by his addiction to opium!


Quite a character, his first wife was twenty years his senior and his second wife forty years his junior!


He once spotted a ‘brownie’ in the valley near his hut so keep a sharp look out!


Here, you can walk the coastal path in either direction for miles or take a circular route, heading north, or south - through the Tidna Valley, past Hawker’s Hut).


In Bude itself there are endless ways to pass the time, if you don’t want to simply sunbathe on the beach.


On Summerleaze downs you can play pitch and putt, the recreation ground offers activities such as tennis and crazy golf, or you can hire a rowboat for a meander down the canal.


The two beaches at Crooklets and Summerleaze are superb and have excellent facilities such as cafes, showers, toilets and ample car-parking.


Crooklets Beach to Sandymouth,Bude


If the weather is not so good the newly-refurbished Splash leisure pool has a flume and wave machine and next door you can go bowling or head for the soft play zone at Harlequinns Leisure.


Bude is also a fantastic place to visit if food and drink is your thing!


Far beyond the excellent pasties and award-winning cream teas are some of the best restaurants Cornwall has to offer.


Lifes a Beach is situated in a fabulous spot overlooking Summerleaze Beach and is the ideal place to spend the evening, watching the sun go down whilst enjoying delicious locally-caught and beautifully cooked seafood.


Just up the path at Sea Fever, Kyan Hooper produces stunning dishes, again specialising in seafood, with a funky modern twist.


Hawkers restaurant at the Camelot Hotel is well-known for top-quality food served in an elegant environment.


Down at The Castle, near the canal, Kit Davis cooks excellent cuisine with a strong emphasis on locally sourced produce.


Also by the canal is The Olive Tree where the option of small or large


Bude canal


portions and wide range of vegetarian choices makes this a popular choice.


Just down the road at Widemouth Bay Elements has recently opened an Italian bistro.


The Bay View Inn and Widemouth Manor both provide super meals and their outside seating and play areas are just right for family meals al fresco!


The town also boasts good pubs serving traditional fayre, such as The Brendon Arms and The Inn on the Green, which does a splendid Sunday carvery.


The Bude Tandoori, Mirchi, The Taste of India and Tiandi cater for those who fancy dinner with an Eastern flavour and we have no shortage of proper seaside fish and chips and other takeaway outlets.


When it comes to good food, from fine dining to traditional family meals, Bude has anything you might desire!


Sunset over Breakwater and Barrel Rock, Summerleaze Beach,Bude


Open Every Day


Summerleaze Beach, Bude Telephone: 01288 355222 Licensed Cafe & Sea Food Bistro


www.lifesabeach.info Cornish Visitor Guide - spring / summer 2011 51


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