Bude's Beautiful Beaches

North Cornwall's beaches are famous for their haunting beauty and those in the Bude area are no exception. Vast expanses of clean, golden, sandy beaches, often backed by rugged cliffs, have captivated many a visitor's imagination over the centuries.

No matter whether the sea is calm and gentle, or raging with angry waves and white foam, her majestic beauty will always add to that romantic feel of our shores.With the enormous differences between high and low tide their atmosphere and shape is constantly changing. The water levels rise and fall dramatically within a couple of hours and the sea level will cover an area of 60 football pitches with up to 7 metres of water during high tide. It is this never-ending flow of the tides that gives you the opportunity to enjoy a 4-mile walk along the shoreline from the Bude beaches all the way up to Sandymouth and back when the tide is out.

Summerleaze Beach, Bude

With the prominent features of the breakwater, Barrel Rock, canal lock gates and the river Neet flowing into the sea, it is probably the most picturesque beach of Bude, inspiring  painters, photographers and visitors alike. The little fishing boats, banked on the sand whilst waiting to go out with the next high tide, add to that special charm and atmosphere. Even at high tide there is a good stretch of sandy beach available and, with the tide out, Summerleaze is truly a joy to behold. The open-air sea pool is popular with families, Summerleaze offers a car park close by, level access from several sides as well as a beach café and public toilets. Beach Huts are also available for hire.  Lifeguard cover is provided from the beginning of May until the end of September.

Crooklets Beach, Bude

Although a little pebbly and rocky at the top, Crooklets Beach offers a huge expanse of golden sand once the tide is out. It is very popular withsurfers and also home to the Bude Surf Life Saving Club (Bude SLSC) . The Bude SLSC holds surf life saving demonstrations on Crooklets Beach every Tuesday evening (6.30pm) during the summer and they are well worth a visit! It is also your chance to support the fantastic, voluntary work they are doing! Lifeguard cover is provided from the middle of May until the middle of September.  Beach Huts are also available for hire.

Northcott Mouth, 3 miles north of Bude

A beach of haunting beauty. Although quite pebbly at the top, it offers a huge expanse of sandy beach when the tide is out. With towering cliffs on both sides it feels a little like a cove. Children will love exploring the fine sand, many rock pools and stream, which is running down through the beach. Owned by the National Trust, it has a little car park halfway down the hill. Although there aren't any facilities such as public toilets, there is a lovely tea garden just up the private road, which is open during the summer months. Lifeguard cover is provided in July and August.

Sandymouth, 5 miles north of Bude

Again, this is a National Trust-owned beach. The car park, also owned by the National Trust, is situated at the top of the cliff and the walk down to the beach leads you through quite a steep ravine, which is why we wouldn't recommend it for the less mobile. Once there, you'll be rewarded with a lovely quiet beach with its very own waterfall! There is a café with public toilets, which are open during the main summer season. Lifeguard cover is provided from the middle of May until the middle of September.

Duckpool, 6 miles north of Bude

A wild and romantic cove, which is appreciated most for its wild setting. Dominated by the spectacular peak of Steeple Point Cliff, it is favoured by many as a quiet retreat away from it all. Swimming is not recommended, as the currents are extremely dangerous and razor-sharp rocks only add to the hazards. No lifeguard cover is provided!

Widemouth Bay, 3 miles south of Bude

Widemouth Bay is very popular with bathers and surfers alike. Although it looks like one huge beach,stretching across almost 1.5 miles, it is actually divided into the North and South Beach (also called Black Rock) by a natural barrier of rock. Widemouth offers fantastic conditions to learn surfing or body-boarding, which is why many of the local surf schools have their base there. A big car park, public toilets and beach café are available. Lifeguard cover is provided from the beginning of May until the end of September (North Beach). Cover on Black Rock is from the middle of May until the end of September.

Millook Beach 5 miles south of Bude

Another beach of haunting beauty, yet not the perfect one for those looking for sand and surf. Covered with thousands of pebbles, it is more of a retreat for those wishing to observe wildlife such as seals and dolphins as well as birds of prey and waders. Millook is also of huge geological interest with its world famous zig-zag cliff, towering high above the shore. No lifeguard cover is provided.

Crackington Haven, 11 miles south of Bude

Dominated by truly majestic cliffs, Crackington Haven is a wonderful, but small beach, with hundreds of rock pools teaming with wildlife. It offers quite a stretch of golden sand with the tide out, and facilities such as car park, pub, café and public toilets will make a lovely day out on the beach for those who are looking for a quieter spot. Lifeguard cover is provided in July and August.

Strangles, 12 miles south of Bude

Flanked by the most impressive High Cliff (the highest in Cornwall with its awe-inspiring 732 feet), Strangles is well worth a visit for its sheer magnitude. However, the climb down (not to mention the climb back up) is strenuous and certainly not suitable for small children or the less mobile. It is unsuitable for bathing, as the strong currents and razor-sharp rocks impose a life-threatening danger. No lifeguard cover is provided!

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Download the Cornwall Visitor Guide for Dog Owners

Our beautiful beaches offer a fantastic, safe bathing experience, thanks to the excellent water quality and the fantastic work of the RNLI and other voluntary organisations. And even on a calm day, when the sea might look inviting and calm, always treat her with respect. This is the open Atlantic Ocean and the waves and underwater currents can be immensely powerful - and dangerous!

Therefore, always make sure you adhere to a few simple rules as outlined here. It will help you and your family stay safe in and near water!