Our Top 5 Bude Beaches
In the areas surrounding Court Farm Holidays we are blessed with a veritable plethora of beautiful beaches, from golden expanses of sand to slate strewn rock pool paradises. With a variety of coastlines and terrain, funneling in virtually any swell direction, there’s always somewhere to catch the surf too.
From family friendly to surfers paradise, there is a beach for everyone within a short distance of all of our Court Farm Holiday properties.
In this blog we have compiled a list of some of our favourite coastal wonders with a few of their best assets to ease the decision making during your stay, giving you more time in the sand and the sea…
Summerleaze Beach
Located less than five minutes from Bude town centre and with a massive car park that’s right next to the dunes, Summerleaze Beach is a summer favourite. With lifeguard cover from May to September, a well sheltered stretch of soft sand with level access and a beach cafe, Summerleaze is a good option for all the family. Summerleaze also boasts a semi natural sea pool or tidal lido, which is free to use and allows users to swim without the worries, for less strong swimmers, of being in the ocean. This beach, which is a short drive from any Court Farm property, also offers surfable waves that work on all tides when the conditions are right, however do always ask lifeguards about currents if you’re new to any beach in the area.
Widemouth Bay
Less than a ten minute drive from our main base at Marhamchurch and only 3 miles south of Bude, Widemouth Bay has almost everything a family could need for the perfect summer day. With ample parking, several cafes and pubs, a mass of rock pools at low tide, lifeguard cover from May until October and a Blue Flag beach award, Widemouth Bay really is a great all rounder. Perhaps the cherry on the cake is the surf which from mid to high tide offers a range of waves for all abilities. If you’re new to the sport, located at Widemouth is the excellent Freewave Surf Academy who can get you started with super fun and laid back lessons for all ages and abilities.
Crooklets Beach
Another location popular with surfers and families alike is Crooklets Beach. Just a stone throw from Bude this wide expanse of sandy beach has access to an abundance of amenities including; summer lifeguard cover, rentable beach huts, a skate park, beach showers and the excellent Rosie’s Cafe. It also has large car parking facilities and is close to a number of local pubs and restaurants, meaning you can easily spend a whole day here without having to move too far! A variety of waves here are available for most surfers, although high tide can be a little scary when the swell is big.
Northcott Mouth
A short drive from Bude down some beautifully picturesque Cornish lanes this hidden gem full of breathtaking scenery is certainly worth a visit. At high tide this rocky cove is full of charm but as the tide washes back it reveals a glorious beach with rock pools aplenty for the budding marine biologists. When the tide is out you will also be able to see the wreck of the steamship ‘Belem’ which ran aground on the north side of this cove in 1917. The cliffs here also harbour notable wildlife and plant life making it a great day out when the sun isn’t shining quite as brightly. The rocky nature of the beach here creates a variety of surfable reefs which change depending on the weather and time of year and lifeguard cover is provided from early July to late September. For the fan of a pretty coastal walk you can do Crooklets to Northcott Mouth in around half an hour and for those on holiday with their canine friends Northcott Mouth is dog friendly all year round.
Sandymouth Beach
A short drive from any Court Farm Holiday property, sitting between Bude and Morwenstow this spectacular piece of National Trust managed coastline is popular with everyone from surfers to rock poolers. With a backdrop of millenia old cliffs, the pebbly beach reveals a glorious stretch of sand and rock pools as the tide recedes. Just a short walk from the car park at which there are toilets, surf hire and a seasonal cafe, Sandymouth is also served by lifeguards between May and September. Surf is best at low tide and tends to be on the smaller side, so perfect for beginners. Sandymouth is accessed by a steep path and steps down to the beach, so may be challenging for people with limited mobility.
For more beach inspiration, take a look at our full list of beaches near Bude here.