Cheap things to do in Bude

Crabbing

The Shore Crab is dark green, and is very common along our coast in rocky areas.  They are easy to catch, and doing so is a great way for kids to spend a few hours exploring the rocky outcrops of Bude’s beaches. The equipment needed to go crabbing is cheap and easy to find!  A basic crabbing line, fishing net and bucket will cost just a few pounds. 

Whilst you are crabbing, you will come across a whole host of wildlife.  Dog and Cat fish, colourful Sea Urchins, Common and Sand Starfish, Edible Crab, Shrimps and all sorts of shell fish such as Cockles and Mussels . 

Bude TIC sell all the equipment needed to go crabbing, along with reference books to help identify the wildlife you will find on the beach.

Most of our beaches have rock pools, all you need to do is go out and explore.  The area around the Breakwater on Summerleaze Beach, the right side of Crooklets Beach, Black Rock Beach at Widemouth Bay and Northcott Mouth are all popular locations.  Please study the tide times very carefully.  Looking into rock pools is great fun and the time passes quickly – so it is easy to get cut off by the tide.

Click here for Rick Stein’s recipe for Shore Crab Bisque.

Pitch & Putt

Open daily, for just a few pounds you can play 9 holes at Bude Pitch and Put, located between Sainsburys and Crooklets Beach.

Crazy Golf

Opposite the Tourist Information Centre, the Recreation Grounds offer Crazy Golf at £1.70 (adults) and £1.30 (children).  Here you can play squash, tennis and other racket sports.

Walk on Water

At Crooklets Beach, for just £3 you can get inside a giant plastic ball and actually walk on water.

Play Parks

Behind the TIC building is a large, enclosed play park with swings, slides etc and a large grassed area.

At Crooklets Beach, there is a "sunken Pirate ship", and a small play park at Summerleaze Beach.

Skatepark

At Crooklets Beach there are large ramps for skateboarding.

Bude Nature Reserve

A walk around the Nature Reserve, behind the TIC building and adjacent to the Canal is free, and you will see all sorts of wildlife!  Bude TIC sell wildlife guides for under £4 to help you identify your sightings.

Boating

Hire a rowing boat or pedalow and follow the Bude Canal.  Prices are around £8, and you can travel a fair way up the Canal.

If the Weather takes a turn for the worse…Cheap Things to do on a Rainy Day

Swimming at Splash Leisure Pool, opposite Morrisons

Bowling, Kids’Play Zone, pool table & air hockey at Harlequinns.

Visit the Bude Recreation Ground and play squash, pool or table tennis.

Go and see the lighthouse at Hartland point, refreshments available at Hartland Quay.

Visit the Bude Heritage Centre at the Castle by the canal.

Drive to Widemouth Bay and stop in the top car park overlooking the bay to watch the waves.

Go for a drive and visit small villages in the area, you could visit:  Crackington Haven, Boscastle, Tintagel, Port Isaac, Port Gaverne and many more little bays along the way – so small they’re not on the map!

Visit a National Trust Property: Cotehele, Lanhydrock, The Old Post Office in Tintagel.

Visit an English Heritage site: Tintagel Castle, Launceston Castle, Penhallam, The Arthurian Centre near Camelford.

Check at the Bude Visitor Centre to see if there are any special events on in the area.

Go surfing (you will be wet anyway!) or enjoy a wet walk followed by a cosy cream tea while you dry off.