For Groups

Bude Sea Pool is a beautiful, part natural, part man-made swimming pool in the rocks at Summerleaze Beach. Created in 1930, the Sea Pool has provided safe bathing at Bude for over 80 years. It is one of the very few tidal swimming pools which still remains open to the general public today and is open throughout the year, free for all to enjoy. The Pool is topped up by the sea at high tide each day.

The Sea Pool is managed by the Friends of Bude Sea Pool, a local volunteer-run charity. FoBSP depend upon donations, grants, sponsorship and membership contributions to fund the Pool’s upkeep.

The Sea Pool is manned by FoBSP staff during the summer season at different times, depending on the tides and weather conditions. When the FoBSP flags are flying, Sea Pool staff are on duty and will be happy to help you.

The FoBSP have taken reasonable care to ensure the Sea Pool is safe for you to enjoy. As it is a natural pool the environment changes with the tide, so please make your own assessment of the Pool before use. The FoBSP request that you enjoy this facility responsibly, and consider the well-being of other users and the surrounding environment. Children must be supervised by an adult and must not be left unattended. Dogs should be kept on a lead and are not permitted to enter the Pool.

There may be groups using the pool such as the RNLI and the Bude Surf Lifesaving Club, and on very rare occasions the Pool may be closed for maintenance or for organised events.

How big is Bude Sea Pool?

• Bude Sea Pool is around 91m long and 45m wide, although because it is a semi-natural structure these are only approximate measurements.
• It holds 4 million litres of sea water.

How deep is Bude Sea Pool?

• The sea washes in twice a day, refreshing the water, and also bringing in sand and stones. It is hard to say exactly the depth in a given area, so please be extra careful when entering, and please don’t dive into the water.

How warm is the water in Bude Sea Pool?

• The water temperature varies from around 11C in April through to 18C in August and September. That can feel quite chilly, so you may want to take your time to acclimatise to the temperature, or wear a wetsuit.

How much does it cost to use?

• Bude Sea Pool is free for all to use.  Users are most welcome to contribute where possible by leaving a donation, becoming a Friend or making a purchase from the Shop.

Nestled amid the idyllic British countryside and peacefully situated on the Cornwall and Devon border, Upper and Lower Tamar Lakes are steeped in industrial history and teeming with diverse flora and fauna.

Established in the 1820s, Lower Tamar Lake boasts a rich history. As a designated Nature Reserve, it provides an ideal sanctuary to connect with nature. Take a moment of tranquillity in the bird hide, where sightings of ospreys, sandpipers, and cormorants are possible.

Remarkably, the boundary between Devon and Cornwall cuts directly through the centre of Upper Tamar Lake!

Beyond the natural richness of both lakes, Upper Tamar Lake offers a plethora of activities catering to all preferences, complemented by an on-site café ensuring a delightful experience for all visitors whatever age. Activities including walking, canoeing, cycling, fishing, kayaking, rowing, SUP, sailing and windsurfing. You can even extend your stay and make the most of the excellent camping facilities on site.

Activities at Tamar Lakes 

• Walking: Set out on a close encounter with nature as you explore our way-marked walking trails tracing the scenic shorelines of both lakes. The circular path around Upper Tamar Lake spans approximately 2.8 miles (4.5 km), creating an ideal route for a picturesque lakeside walk. Suitable for pushchairs, mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
• Parkrun: Every Saturday at 9 am, Parkrun events take place at Upper Tamar Lake, providing an excellent opportunity to join fellow enthusiasts and challenge yourself in this scenic setting!
• Kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing, and rowing are all available at Upper Tamar Lake, you can hire the equipment or launch your own.
• Fishing: Upper Tamar Lake is an ideal destination for your next angling expedition, acclaimed as the top still water coarse fishery in the UK in 2021!
• Cycling: The three-mile loop surrounding the upper lake provides an enjoyable and family-friendly cycling experience.

Golf Course
Nestled just 3 miles north of the charming coastal town of Bude, this family-friendly golf centre features a picturesque 9-hole course set amidst the spectacular Cornish countryside.

Measuring at 2300 yards, the 9-hole golf course presents breathtaking panoramic views of the Cornish coastline, Bude town, and the inland moors.

Perfect for golfers of all ages, particularly beginners, Ivyleaf prides itself on being beginner-friendly. They foster a relaxed environment with no dress code and eliminate the hassle of tee time reservations—simply show up and dive into the joy of golfing fun! Take advantage of the convenient club, trolley, and buggy rentals to enhance your experience, or feel free to bring your own.

The course is open 7 days a week, allowing you to savour a leisurely round at your own pace.

Golf Range
Perfect your swing at the dynamic driving range at Ivy Leaf Golf Centre!
Boasting 7 undercover bays, indulge in focused practice sessions regardless of the weather.
Their range features high-quality Srixon 2-piece range balls for an authentic feel to your shots.
Extend your practice into the evening with LED floodlights illuminating the range until 9 pm (Monday-Saturday), ensuring optimal visibility for every swing.
Outside, a £1 coin-operated ball dispenser adds convenience to your practice routine.
Ample parking and club hire, making it accessible for golfers of all abilities to enhance their game.

 Golf Simulator
Dive into a world of golfing thrills with our advanced simulator at Ivy Leaf Golf Centre! Choose from a selection of over 150,000 courses, elevate your game with detailed shot analysis, and share the experience with up to 4 players per session. Swing by and play the course of your dreams today!
Important: Use of the golf simulator is only during office hours. If you wish to book outside of these times, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Join Ivyleaf Golf Centre for an experience that combines the beauty of the surroundings with the joy of the game.

At Shoreline we use a number of soft-shelled surf boards designed to help you get started and develop a robust technique. Not only are these boards extremely safe but they are also light and easy to carry to and from the shore. Being very buoyant these boards catch the waves easily making sure that you will have plenty of rides on which to get to your feet and polish up your surfing style!

We generally run half day sessions throughout the year providing Instructors, Boards, Wetsuits with Hats and Gloves in the colder months. This is a great individual sport and group activity where you can never predict who will come out as the session’s star, its physical but very rewarding.

Within Bude itself we boast three very different beaches with Crooklets being the most well known as our classic ‘surfing’ beach. Crooklets is home to the towns Surf Life Saving Club the very club that provides the training and Lifeguard qualifications essential to our team of coaches. The Surf at the west facing Crooklets beach breaks along a long sandy shallow sloping beach creating endless peeling and broken waves perfect for learning and practising your surfing techniques.

Experience the Excitement of Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)
A stand-up paddleboarding lesson is an excellent introduction to this rapidly growing sport. The stability of the large surfboard-style paddle board provides a secure platform for standing. With the use of an extra-long canoe-style paddle, you can effortlessly navigate the waters within minutes. Stand-up paddleboarding is less demanding than surfing, making it accessible to everyone in your group.

Immerse yourself in a stand-up paddleboarding lesson during your visit to Bude. Discover the charm of Bude’s historic waterways, connect with nature, and acquire a new skill while creating lasting memories with your loved ones. Whether you’re in a large group, with family, friends, or enjoying a solo adventure, stand-up paddleboard lessons offer an enjoyable experience.

Gear Up for Adventure
Equip yourself with a suitably sized inflatable paddle board and an extendable paddle. Pay close attention to instructions, and you might stay dry—though, a wetsuit is available just in case! Once on the water, you’ll learn to manoeuvre the board first on your knees before gracefully standing up and exploring the waterways like a pro. Get ready for a memorable and enjoyable stand-up paddleboarding experience in the picturesque surroundings of Bude.

Welcome to Docton Mill Tea Rooms & Gardens, a hidden gem in the heart of Hartland, North Devon.

Discover the captivating story of Docton Mill Wild Flower Gardens, nestled in a stunning valley just 1000m from the coast. Originating in the 1930s, the garden faced a period of neglect in the 1970s. The resurgence in 1980 brought about the renovation of the Mill, extensive planting, and the creation of a new Bog Garden and borders, accompanied by the planting of numerous trees. The new millennium ushered in further developments, including the Magnolia Garden, expansive Herbaceous borders, Woodland Garden, and a Greenhouse area for extensive plant propagation.

Our Wild Flower Gardens follow a theme of natural simplicity. In spring, witness displays of narcissi, primulas, camellias, rhododendrons, and azaleas, all framed by the enchanting presence of bluebells. Summer brings a profusion of roses, including a rose bank of Felicia and Pax, alongside the Herbaceous border. Explore a field boasting 25 varieties of magnolia, ensuring a garden that captivates throughout the seasons.

Garden Entry:

• Adults: £6.50
• Children (U18): Free (Under 2.3m in height)

Awards and Accolades:

• Voted Best Tea Room in North Devon (North Devon Food & Drink Awards)
• Gold Medal Winner at Devon County Show
• Voted Best Cream Tea in Devon (North Devon Food & Drink Awards)

Garden Features:

• Spectacular narcissi display in spring
• Enchanting river walk with naturalised narcissi, bluebells, and wild garlic
• Superb bog garden, celebrated in Rosemary Verey’s “Good Planting”
• Extensive 140m herbaceous border
• Wildflower gardens

Tea Room Delights:

• Award-winning tea room serving light lunches with specialty salads
• Locally sourced ingredients
• No entry charge to use the Tea Room
• Last teas served at 4:30 pm

Pet-Friendly Atmosphere:

• Dogs allowed on short leads

Additional Offerings:

• Plant sales area
• RHS Partnership Garden every Saturday throughout the season

Disabled Facilities:

• Due to the topographical layout, the garden is not suitable for wheelchairs or those with serious walking disabilities. For further details, please call 01237 441369.

Welcome to Budehaven Recreation Ground which has been offering a range of sporting activities for visitors and locals alike for over 100 years! Situated just opposite Summerleaze Beach, close to the Wharf and Canal and only minutes’ walk away from the town centre it really does offer something for everyone.

There is a 9 hole crazy golf course and a brand new 18 hole mini golf course which is set in a picturesque spot looking straight across to the sand dunes of Summerleaze Beach.
The Grounds also have six recently resurfaced tennis courts, two squash courts, a bowling green and a putting green.

In addition, there is a great cafe with indoor and outdoor seating offering a range of hot and cold food and drinks including great coffee!

Bude and North Cornwall Golf Club was founded in 1891 when it was then known as North Cornwall Golf Club. It is a classic links course which is defined as being on sandy soil and next to the coast without many trees. As a result, the wind can be a big factor on a links course, considered by most to be trickier to play on. It’s a beautiful course with undulating greens and stunning views of the coast and countryside. Conveniently located in the centre of Bude with parking, onsite bar and restaurant which is open to members and non-members and an outside terrace area with sunset views over the sea.

Canoeing, or Canadian Canoeing, allows a group of people (typically two, but can accommodate up to four) to paddle a large open-cockpit canoe. One key distinction between an open canoe and a kayak is the type of paddle used; canoes utilize single-bladed paddles, whereas kayaks use double-ended paddles.

Shoreline’s canoeing courses primarily take place on the historic rural Bude Canal, which meanders up the Neat Valley for nearly two miles. This canal offers an ideal setting to teach canoeing techniques in a safe and sheltered environment.

For the Canal Canoe Adventure, you’ll be equip you with a canoe and provide initial instruction on paddling and maneuvering techniques. After some practice time, you’ll get a brief and you’ll be provided a challenge map before allowing you to venture off on your own to explore the canal and discover the answers to the challenge’s questions. It’s a fantastic experience for groups or families, ensuring everyone stays engaged and entertained, including your furry friends!

Bude offers an ideal setting for various paddle sports adventures,  utilizing the sea, surf, canal, and local rivers.

Within Shoreline’s coaching team, is former World Champion, Simon Hammond, acclaimed author of “Surf Kayaking: The Essential Guide” and an International Surf Kayak Coach. You really will be learning from the best!

One of the most thrilling adventures in Bude is paddling down the Bude canal and out into Summerleaze Bay. From there, depending on conditions, you can continue along the coastline to explore the numerous inlets and channels between the rocks, landing on deserted beaches. On the return journey, the Shoreline team will find a surf beach and teach you how to ride the waves, providing ample time for practice, which is both easier than you think and incredibly enjoyable.

If conditions are flat and calm, they will focus on coastal exploration. If there’s plenty of surf, they will emphasize the surfing aspect. Regardless, they guarantee you’ll have an unforgettable time.

This is not your usual type of museum and it certainly isn’t a large grey building with all the exhibits neatly arranged on shelf after shelf in glass cabinets – ask any of our visitors!
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​There is a do-it-yourself NAAFI on-site for hot and cold drinks, crisps etc with comfortable seating and WW2 newspapers to read.
Well-behaved dogs (on a lead) are welcome.

Airfield Tours on Thursday afternoons at 2 pm (July to the end of September ONLY) Tours take place at 2pm every Thursday. They are in our crew bus Marlene – Booking essential.