Information for disabled Visitors

Sand Chair

A wheelchair suitable for use on sand can be hired from Summerleaze Beach Office, 01288 352226.  Hire is free, but a deposit is needed.

Accommodation

If you are looking for accommodation suitable for people with disabilities, please see our Holidays for less abled and disabled visitors page.

Wheelchair and Equipment Hire

The Red Cross offer a full hire and delivery/collection service for mobility equipment.  Call 0845 331 3331

Disabled toilets

Cornwall Council maintains several public conveniences in Bude, including:

• Crooklets Beach
• Crescent Car Park
• Widemouth Bay
• Summerleaze Beach
• Summerleaze Car Park
• Duckpool Beach

Most disabled cubicles require a Radar Key to unlock the door, and these are purchasable from the tourist information centre (adjacent to the toilets).

Parking for disabled drivers

Parking restrictions are relaxed for blue badge holders, making parking easier for those who are less mobile. Providing the Disabled Badge is clearly and properly displayed the Badge Holder can park in:

• Limited parking areas: For an unlimited time.
• Yellow Lines: For a period not exceeding 3 hours.
• Resident Parking Zones: For an unlimited time.

Disabled Badge Holder may park in any Cornwall Council Car Parks (not reserved car parks) up to the maximum stay permitted within that car park. Badge Holder are required to pay the standard parking fees within the car parks. Blue Badges must be displayed whilst parked within a designated disabled bay.

The following criteria of disabled driver are exempt from paying parking fees but are subject to the maximum stay of the car park, so blue badge and time clock must be displayed:

• They have a tax disc marked Nil or Disabled.
• They have an invalid carriage.
• They have a specially adapted vehicle.
• Those complying with this criteria may park free in any space not just those marked disabled.

Public View Points

The scenery in and around Bude is fantastic, but it can be difficult for the less able to enjoy.  There are several view points from which you can enjoy the landscape from your car. 

These include:

• Bude Canal - Wharf car park, good view of the Canal with level access to shops and cafes.  
• Widemouth Bay – several free parking areas along the coast road with far-reaching views.  The beach car parks offer a good view of the beach and sea with level access to the cafe.
• Penhalt – turn right before the Widemouth Manor, follow the narrow road to the view point.
• Duckpool Beach
• Hartland Quay-Upper car park

Countryside Mobility

A wheelchair accessible Wheelyboat is available to hire at Tamar Lake for pleasure boating. The boat can carry a maximum or 8 passengers or 5 wheelchair passengers.

See also Accessible South West England

Disabled Walking Route

There is a great walk along Bude Canal and the River Neet which is suitable for wheelchair users.  The route is available from Cornwall Council.

At Upton, between Widemouth Bay and Bude, there is a level all weather surface track which runs from the free car park to the cliff edge, and gives great views to Devon and south to Pentire.