Bude Beaches

Overview

Bude, nestled on the North Cornwall coast, is a popular destination for a classic British seaside holiday. Known for its relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, it offers a fantastic selection of predominantly sandy beaches perfect for sunbathing, exploring rock pools, and building sandcastles. Whether you're a family looking for safe bathing or a surfer seeking great waves, Bude provides a welcoming coastal escape.

The town's main hubs are Summerleaze Beach and Crooklets Beach. Summerleaze Beach is incredibly accessible and famously features the Bude Sea Pool, offering a unique, sheltered swimming experience right by the sea. Adjacent is Crooklets Beach, a favourite with locals and home to the town's surf lifesaving club, also offering good conditions for surfing. Both beaches are lifeguarded during the main season, providing peace of mind for swimmers and families.

Just a short drive south, Widemouth Bay unfolds as a vast sandy expanse, renowned as one of the area's premier surfing spots suitable for all abilities. Heading north from Bude, you'll discover beaches famed for their dramatic scenery, like Sandymouth, managed by the National Trust, which boasts stunning cliffs and a waterfall cascading onto the shore, especially impressive at low tide. Nearby Northcott Mouth offers a similar rugged charm.

Bude's coastline is varied, offering something beyond these highlights. The large tidal range dramatically transforms the beaches, revealing expansive sands and connecting some coves at low tide, making it essential to check tide times before exploring. For a comprehensive look at all the sandy stretches and hidden coves awaiting discovery, explore our full list of Bude's beaches.

FAQ

People Also Ask

Is Bude a good place for a traditional beach holiday?

Yes, Bude is very popular for beach holidays. It offers several large sandy beaches with classic seaside town amenities, rock pools, surfing opportunities, and the unique Bude Sea Pool. It's known for a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere compared to some other Cornish resorts.

What kind of holiday is Bude best for - families, couples, surfers?

Bude is particularly well-suited for families due to its safer bathing conditions, lifeguard patrols (seasonal), large sandy beaches like Summerleaze and Crooklets, and the Bude Sea Pool. It's also great for couples seeking a relaxed coastal break and surfers, especially beginners and intermediates, with Widemouth Bay being a key spot. It's generally less focused on nightlife compared to places like Newquay.

Summerleaze Beach

Crooklets Beach

Widemouth Bay

Can you swim in the sea at Bude? Is the water cold?

Yes, you can swim in the sea at Bude's main beaches, particularly during summer. Like all Cornish coastal waters, the sea temperature is cool, typically ranging from 12°C in spring to a maximum of around 17-18°C in late summer. Many people swim, especially when wearing wetsuits for longer periods or for watersports. Always check tide times and sea conditions.

What is the Bude Sea Pool and is it free to use?

The Bude Sea Pool is a large, semi-natural tidal swimming pool built into the rocks at Summerleaze Beach. It provides a safer, sheltered environment for swimming, away from the currents of the open sea. Yes, it is free to use, although donations towards its upkeep are welcomed via the Friends of Bude Sea Pool charity.

Summerleaze Beach

Where's the best place to stay in Bude to be close to the beaches?

To be closest to the main town beaches (Summerleaze and Crooklets), look for accommodation in Bude town centre itself, particularly around the Summerleaze Crescent area or near the canal and harbour. For easier access to Widemouth Bay, consider accommodation options along the coast road south of Bude or in Widemouth Bay village itself. Many places are within walking distance or a short drive.

Summerleaze Beach

Crooklets Beach

Widemouth Bay

Are dogs allowed on Bude beaches?

Dog restrictions vary by beach and time of year. Some beaches like Summerleaze have seasonal restrictions (dogs on leads allowed from late May to end of September between 10am-6pm), while others like Crooklets have a full seasonal ban during the same period. Beaches further out, like Widemouth Bay (South Beach section) and Black Rock, are often dog-friendly year-round. Always check the specific signs at each beach entrance for the latest rules.

Summerleaze Beach

Crooklets Beach

Widemouth Bay

Which Bude beach is best for families with young children?

Summerleaze Beach is often recommended for families with young children. It has a large expanse of sand, gentler access to the sea, the Bude Sea Pool for safer swimming, facilities like toilets and cafes nearby, and relatively easy access from the town and main car park.

Summerleaze Beach

What's the difference between Summerleaze and Crooklets beach?

Summerleaze and Crooklets are Bude's two main town beaches, located next to each other and connected at low tide. Summerleaze is generally considered slightly more sheltered, has the River Neet flowing onto it, direct access to the Bude Sea Pool, and the main town car park behind it. Crooklets is slightly more exposed, popular with surfers, has its own beach huts, cafes, and car park, and feels a bit more traditional seaside.

Summerleaze Beach

Crooklets Beach

Is Widemouth Bay worth visiting compared to the beaches in Bude town?

Yes, Widemouth Bay, located a few miles south of Bude, is definitely worth visiting. It's a very long sandy beach, popular for surfing (with several surf schools), bodyboarding, and general beach activities. It offers more space than the town beaches, especially at low tide, and has ample parking (paid), cafes, and toilets. It's a great alternative if you find the town beaches busy or specifically want good surfing conditions.

Widemouth Bay

Which Bude beach is best for surfing?

Widemouth Bay is widely regarded as the best and most consistent surfing beach near Bude, suitable for beginners to intermediates. Crooklets Beach in town also offers good waves, particularly around mid-tide, and is popular with local surfers. Summerleaze can sometimes have waves, especially near the breakwater, but is generally less consistent than Crooklets or Widemouth.

Widemouth Bay

Crooklets Beach

Summerleaze Beach

Is parking difficult or expensive at Bude beaches?

Parking is available at or near the main beaches (Summerleaze, Crooklets, Widemouth Bay), but it can get very busy, especially during peak season (July/August) and sunny weekends. Most car parks are pay-and-display, and costs can add up for a full day. Arriving early is recommended in peak times. Some smaller coves may have limited or no dedicated parking.

Summerleaze Beach

Crooklets Beach

Widemouth Bay

Are Bude beaches lifeguarded?

Yes, the main beaches in Bude – Summerleaze, Crooklets, and Widemouth Bay – have RNLI lifeguard patrols during the main season (typically from Easter or May half-term until the end of September). Specific patrol times and dates vary slightly each year, so always check the RNLI website or local signage for current information. Swimming between the red and yellow flags is advised when lifeguards are on duty.

Summerleaze Beach

Crooklets Beach

Widemouth Bay

Are Bude beaches generally sandy or pebbly?

Bude's main beaches, including Summerleaze, Crooklets, and Widemouth Bay, are predominantly sandy, especially at low tide when vast expanses of golden sand are revealed. There can be some shingle or pebbles, particularly near the high tide mark or at the back of the beach, but they are known for their sandy nature.

Summerleaze Beach

Crooklets Beach

Widemouth Bay

Are there any quieter, less crowded beaches near Bude?

Yes, while the main beaches can be busy, there are smaller coves and beaches nearby that tend to be quieter. Northcott Mouth (north of Bude, accessible at low tide from Crooklets) and Sandymouth Bay (National Trust, further north) are popular choices. South of Widemouth, Black Rock Beach (dog-friendly section of Widemouth) can sometimes feel less crowded than the main stretch.

Northcott Mouth Beach

Sandymouth

Widemouth Bay

Which Bude beaches are most accessible for pushchairs or wheelchairs?

Summerleaze Beach offers the best accessibility, with level access from the car park and town onto the beach area near the Sea Pool via ramps or slopes. There's also a concrete path along the top of the beach. Crooklets has sloped access but can be steeper. Widemouth Bay has access points, but reaching the firmer sand might require crossing softer areas. Sand chairs may be available for hire locally for better beach access.

Summerleaze Beach

Crooklets Beach

Widemouth Bay