Bude

Walking from Devon and the north, Bude is an excellent stop with the facilities you expect of a sizeable town after many miles on the coast path. For those starting their walking journey here, it acts as a gateway to the sands of Widemouth Bay and the base of your climb up into the cliffs of Smuggling Country. Whilst not the most glamorous location, (try Fowey or Port Isaac for that), it retains appeal for its excellent beaches and a liveliness which has developed a strong surfing connection.

The Bude canal is certainly worth a look, opened in 1823 it runs through the lower end of town and has its own unique sea lock. It is a surreal sight to follow it to the Atlantic and see the canal meet the ocean on a beach!  At the end of the canal there is plenty to occupy you on an evening stroll over the cliff top and out along the breakwater to the barrel rock at low tide.

The Castle, with its’ Victorian façade, houses the Bude Heritage Centre, Art Galleries, Café and shop.  If you wish to refresh those feet, there is a lovely tidal swimming pool or you may prefer to hire a rowing boat to explore the canal.

Bude has some of the UK's best surfing beaches and culture and for those keen to immerse themselves in the Atlantic, this is the place to do it.  You might wish to consider a rest day option here with a surfing lesson built in.

For the overnight walker there is a good range of accommodation, restaurants, café's and bars to choose from. Some of the more atmospheric are to be found close to the surfing haven at the Summerleaze beach end of town.

All in all with its locally run shops and businesses Bude has a pleasant and laid back feel about it and as a launching pad for the wild walking to come is a stress free and hospitable stop with pristine golden sands stretching in all directions.