Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BUDE & THE ATLANTIC HIGHWAY
Travelling west along the Atlantic Hwy from the Devon border (or the A39, as it's more
prosaically known) carries you through some of the county's most inspiring coastal vistas.
Every twist and turn in the road unfurls a fresh panorama of postcard views: wild head-
lands cloaked in gorse, villages nestled at the base of granite cliffs, and a seemingly nev-
erending stretch of white-capped surf.
Much of the coastline around Bude is less frequented and feels slightly more remote than
the well-known beaches around Newquay and Padstow, and with a bit of effort you'll dis-
cover several quiet coves even in the height of summer. Take your time: this is a road trip
to be savoured.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Bude
First stop across the Cornish border is beachy Bude, which has been reeling in the day trip-
pers and beachgoers since the Victorian tourist boom in the late 19th century. Tucked away
at the end of the River Neet, Bude briefly flourished in the mid-19th century thanks to the
construction of the Bude Canal, but the town's industrial ambitions were scuppered by the
arrival of the railway, and the canal's now effectively a nature reserve. Heritage apart, it's
Bude's beaches that warrant a visit.
Sights
The closest beach to town is
Summerleaze
, a classic bucket-and-spade affair with lots of sand
and plenty of space to paddle in. It's also home to the
Bude Sea Pool
( 10am-6pm May-Sep)
, an
open-air lido dating from the 1930s. Be prepared for a chilly dip: the water's fed straight
from the Atlantic, so it's bracing even at the best of times.
Directly to the north of town is
Crooklets
, a small sandy cove flanked by low bluffs that's
home to Bude's Surf Life Saving Club. It gets busy in summer.
Bude's other beaches are a bit further afield.
Northcott Mouth
is great for rockpooling, with
granite shelves exposed at low tide and a good sweep of pebbly sand. Further north is
Sandy-
mouth
, a quiet beach with its own waterfall, followed by
Duckpool
, another secluded cove
