The North Coast near Bude is a land of steep cliffs and lashing waves, of bitter winds and rugged beauty, of smugglers and shipwrecks. Inland is kinder, farmland, sheep grazing and piskeys tricking.
Bude is a place where water sports and sandcastling fun can be had, it’s a seaside town and surfing favourite. Summerleaze Beach, a huge expanse of sand, rolls out to fan the town, and holds a tidal outdoor swimming pool, Bude Sea Pool. You can walk along the canal or the River Neat to the sea, while Bude town winds up the hill with shops on either side. The Castle Bude was the home of an inventor not a king, and is now a heritage centre.
Along the coast are windswept villages: Boscastle is characterised by its stunning sweeping harbour, the river cutting through a steep valley. Little boats wait to count the knots in the Wind Witches’ ropes before venturing out into the wild seas.
The ruins of Tintagel Castle lay strewn along the headland. A pair of choughs loop across the bay keeping watch, some say the spirit of King Arthur lives on in the chough and if you are very lucky the red beaked bird will welcome you as you enter the castle walls.
