Bude is a popular seaside town located on the North coast of Cornwall near the Devon border. It has been regularly named the UK’s best costal town at the British Travel Awards. The vast spotless golden sandy beaches of Bude are popular with surfers and tourists. Holidays in Bude provide a great place to go walking and explore the North Cornish coastline’s spectacular geology.
Bude is a laid back and endearing corner of Cornwall. The town has plenty of independent restaurants, shops, bar’s and cafe’s to spend the afternoon and evening exploring. The Bude canal, shown in the image above, is also a great place to hire a pedalo and explore the mouth of the River Neet. If you are looking to visit Bude for a short getaway or a that long awaited summer holiday, there are huge variety of holiday cottages in Bude to choose from.
Historically the town of Bude became notable as a ‘safe harbour’ for ships from the winter storms that would lash the North Cornish coastline. The Bude Canal also ran all the way to Launceston. This was used to transport coastal sand and soil that are rich in sea minerals. These deposits would then be used by farmers inland to improve the yields of their crops. The real growth of the town however came during the Victorian era. When it became popular with holiday makers looking to escape the soot filled urban city streets of the industrial revolution.
Directions to Bude
To get to Bude by car via the scenic route, also know as the the ‘Atlantic Highway’. Leave the M5 at Junction 27, and follow the A39 going past Barnstaple & Bideford and then into Bude. For those in a hurry, which is definitely not the Cornish way! Drive South West down the A30 to the Okehampton turn off, then follow the signposts for Bude heading West.