Beachmodern No. 28

Bude is the quintessential Cornish seaside town, with beautiful sandy beaches and spectacular clifftop walks. The seafood is delicious, and if it was any fresher it would still be swimming around in the ocean.

Best picnics

Simply pick one of the beautiful beaches or a spot on a clifftop walk between Bude and Widemouth. There is a tide clock in the hallway at Beachmodern No. 28, so check if your chosen picnic site is in the path of the incoming tide.

Best beaches

There are 10 beaches within easy reach. Sandymouth, Crooklets, Black Rock, Summerleaze and Widemouth Bay are wide sandy beaches with lifeguards in the summer months; Summerleaze also has a sea pool. Duckpool, Northcott Mouth, Upton and Crackington Haven are more rugged but great for rock-pooling. You should always swim between the red and yellow flags.

Best walks

There’s a perfect walk along the clifftops of the National Heritage coastline to Widemouth and beyond.

Shopping

Supermarket: Somerfield is only five minutes walk away; if you spend more than £25 they will deliver your shopping to the house. There is also a Morrisons on the main road into town. The house manager will shop for guests for a small additional charge and free wine delivery can be arranged to No. 28 by Majestic in Barnstaple. Sunday papers: Flexbury newsagent is three minutes walk away at the top of Down View Road, opposite the church. It’s open until midday on Sunday.

Activities

If you want to tackle some bodyboarding or surfing then you can hire all the necessary equipment from Zuma Jay (www.zumajay.co.uk). Surf lessons are available with a former British and European surf champion (suits and boards are included). To look the part out of the water too, consider shopping at In Deep or Airculture (www.airculture.co.uk). For a wide range of other activities, including sea kayaking and abseiling contact Shoreline Activities (www.shorelineactivities.co.uk). The 18-hole Bude and North Cornwall Golf Course is right on the doorstep. It’s possible for visitors to play on weekdays and after 2pm at weekends. Standard rules of etiquette and clothing apply. Club and trolley hire is available from the Pro shop. It’s advisable to book in advance. It costs £27 per day on weekdays or per round at weekends. You can go horse riding with the Efford Down Riding Stables across the Bude Cliffs; the cliff top view is superb and on clear days you can see all the way to Trevose Head and Lundy's National Trust island (+44 (0)1288 354 244; www.efforddown.co.uk). A bit further afield, take a trip down to the Tate Gallery in St Ives (www.tate.org.uk/stives/) or visit the Barbara Hepworth Gallery, stopping at the tranquil Japanese Garden in St Mawgan near Newquay along the way.

Bars

Inn on the Green

+44 (0)1288 356 013

This is a lively pub with a good lunch menu and popular live music and DJ nights.
Crooklets Beach, Bude, Cornwall EX23 8NF

The Brendon Arms

+44 (0)1288 354 542

This pub next to the Bude canal on the road to Widemouth is a popular place for a drink. It's only two minutes walk from the main Summerleaze beach.
The Brendon Arms Falcon Terrace Bude, Cornwall EX23 8SD

Restaurants

Life’s a Beach

+44 (0)1288 355 222

This is the best seafood restaurant in town and has excellent views from its clifftop perch.
Life's a Beach Cafe, Summerleaze Beach, Bude, EX23 8HN

The Bay View

+44 (0)1288 361 273

This place in Widemouth is another highly rated and friendly restaurant with absolutely spectacular views along the coast.
Bay View Inn, Widemouth Bay, Bude, Cornwall EX23 0AW

Bangors House

+44 (0)1288 361 297

This fantastic restaurant was the UK’s first organic Cornish cream tearooms.
Bangors House, Poundstock, Bude, Cornwall EX23 0DP

For a full list of eating and drinking recommendations in Cornwall, check out our Cornwall restaurant guide

For a full list of recommended activities in Cornwall, check out our Cornwall destination guide

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