Bude

Bude has been popular ever since Victorian times as a holiday destination and a notable place to visit. Over the years the seaside resort has retained its charm, catering for the wide varieties of tourists that stream to its two sandy beaches.

Known for its castle that was built by the inventor, Sir Goldsworthy Gurney, the first man to make a long journey in a mechanical vehicle – a steam carriage – from London to Bath and back, the building now plays host to the Town Councils offices with the beautiful land used for concerts and fetes throughout the summer.

“The long, wave and the thundering shores of Bude” as Tennyson beautifully stated in his poem The Birth of King Arthur, have made Bude a surfer’s dream. The breaking beaches of Summerleaze and Crooklets have long been described as the “Bondi of Britain” by Australians for many years.

In the summer there are theatrical shows, concerts, dances, fetes and events, many with an historical theme aimed at visitors to the area.

Things to do in Bude

Harlequinns Leisure is a premier quality, sophisticated, friendly Leisure Centre, situated in the beautiful coastal town of Bude in Cornwall. They take pride in their clean, newly refurbished, family run centre and offer superb facilities with tremendous value for money.

Open all year round they offer entertainment for all the family, whatever the weather. Harlequinns boasts one of the biggest Play zones for children in the South West.

Visit Hartland Quay – once a thriving harbour because of the area’s remote location and the difficulty encountered in transporting goods by road.

Today it consists of a museum, a rocky shingled beach and breath-taking views of the rock formation surrounding the area. You can stand there and you can almost imagine the shipwrecks that were so common along this stretch of coast.

Visit the Castle which is now a heritage centre with exhibition galleries, an education room, shop and a restaurant with stunning views.

The exhibitions on the ground floor focus on Bude and the surrounding area: its rich and varied geology and natural history, and the town’s development as a port, later as a seaside resort and most recently as a surfing centre.

Over one hundred shipwrecks are recorded on the north coast of Cornwall between 1756 and 1969. Try the navigation interactive and see if you can steer your way through these treacherous waters.

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