Outdoor Sporting Opportunities in Bude

Surfing

Bude has a thriving surfing community, primarily due to the consistent beachbreak peaks. Whilst all of our beaches are great for surfing, most popular are Widemouth Bay, and north to Duckpool, Sandymouth and Northcott beaches. In the town itself, Crooklets and Summerleaze both face west, work on all tides and hold swells up to about eight feet. Local surf shop’s and tutors offer advice, and we highly recommend our local surf schools and outdoor activity centres.

Surfing is what Bude is famous for, but there is so much more to do on, and off the water!

Kayaking

Bude is well served with kayaking environments. The canal provides the perfect safe location to introduce young and novice paddlers to the sport, the harbour area allows for more adventure but still within the safety of Summerleaze Bay and then there's the open ocean for Sea Kayaking expeditions.

The North Coast of Cornwall and Devon is exposed, rugged and has some spectacular seascapes. Enjoy the scenery around Bude sea kayaking with some gentle rock hopping within the limits of the Bude beaches and then venture further afield to explore the coastline to the North and South of Bude. Whole day trips can be organised to run from Bude or from locations around our coastline including Hartland Quay, Boscastle, Port Quin and Wadebridge. Surf Kayaking is also popular as the beaches and surf conditions make Bude the perfect location for this sport all year round.

Open Canoeing

Where as Kayaking is often wild, fast and furious Open Canoeing is a much more sophisticated and stylish way of exploring our rural canal system. Paddling an open canoe solo requires a good feel and a calm and gentle manner, paddling with 2, 3 or 4 in a boat requires a lot of teamwork! The canal is wonderfully sheltered and provides an excellent environment on which to build your skills or explore as a team.

Rock Climbing

Here in Bude we are extremely well positioned for rock climbing with classic culm coast climbs right on our doorstep. We have climbs which range in height from 30 to 400 feet with levels of difficulty to suit all abilities. Compass Point, Maer cliffs and Northcott Mouth are popular locations. Test your skill by spending a half day abseiling down our 100 feet cliffs.

Explore the Coastal Enviornment

For something really different, spend a few hours with Shoreline exploring our coastal environments - soft sheltered semi-mud flat to an incredible rocky shoreline. Shoreline guides will educate you on the diversity of life found in the inter-tidal zone including seaweeds, crabs, fish, anemones, starfish and much much more. There always seems to be something new and exciting to find and with a bit of luck you might even come across our very own North Cornish Sea Slug - Onchidella celtica!

Zorbing

Located at Helebridge, close to the end of the Bude Canal.  Experience speeds of upto 25mph as you roll down a slope!

Horse Riding

Golf

There are two golf courses in Bude, and five more a short distance away. Touching the coast and town centre and established in 1891, Bude Golf Club is perhaps Cornwall's finest and most challenging course.  Ivyleaf, our more casual, 2,300 yard 9 hole course and driving range affords the best views of any course in Cornwall.  Not too far away, set in 230 acres of hills and woodland is Bowood. Launceston offers a 6,385 yard par 70 parkland course and another at Trethorne, with numerous water hazards and tree-lined fairways. Across the border at Holsworthy is a challenging course for beginners and low handicap players, and is noted for its superb greens. Hartland forest course is a hidden gem, unhurried and unbelievably beautiful.

Cycling

Bude offers a lovely stretch of traffic-free cycle path along the river Neet and through the Nature Reserve from the Tourist Information Centre building, two miles inland to Helebridge.  From here, the Atlantic Highway (A39) links to the Sustrans Route, where you can continue south to the Camel Trail or north to the Tarka Trail. 

The Camel Trail offers 20 miles of off road cycling, running from Padstow to Wenford Bridge via Wadebridge and Bodmin.  Easily accessible by Bus (or a half-hour drive), Bridge Bike Hire operate from Wadebridge, but offer a “Go By Cycle” service, where they deliver bikes throughout Cornwall and South Devon.

The Tarka Trail offers 21 miles of level, scenic traffic free cycle track from Braunton to Great Torrington via Barnstaple and Bideford.

Walking

Some of the wildest and most beautiful stretches of the North Cornwall coast surround Bude. Numerous, well-marked footpaths and bridleways start, finish and pass through Bude, ensuring you never need walk the same path twice during your stay.  Bude TIC sell various walking books, guides and leaflets to help you explore and find the perfect route.