Cottages in Bude

Table of Contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a cottage in Bude?
• Cottages in Bude: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Bude: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Bude?

• Cosy and characterful: Bude cottages offer beamed ceilings, wood burners and gardens, ideal for families, couples and dog owners.
• Where to stay: Close to Summerleaze and Crooklets beaches, along the canal, or in the quieter countryside nearby.
• What guests love: Golden Blue Flag beaches, the Bude Sea Pool, superb surfing and dramatic coast path walks.
• Where to eat: Fresh seafood, canalside cafes and relaxed British dining across the town.
• Things to do: Surf the beaches, swim in the Sea Pool, walk the canal towpath and explore Boscastle and Tintagel.

Cottages in Bude are made for cosy, characterful holidays on the rugged north Cornwall coast, from traditional stone homes with wood burners to spacious family retreats a short stroll from the sand. Set around this friendly seaside and surfing town, they range from snug boltholes for couples to roomy houses for a big family gathering, many with gardens, sea glimpses and space for children and dogs to roam. Whether you want to be near the beaches or somewhere quieter in the countryside, there is a self-catering cottage to match. Expect features such as:

• A wood burner or open fire for cosy evenings
• An enclosed garden or patio for outdoor dining
• A well-equipped kitchen for self-catering families
• Wi-Fi, parking and space to store surfboards and wetsuits
• A warm welcome for dogs and their owners

Wherever you base yourself, a beach, a cafe or the coast path is rarely far away. Weighing up your options? You can also browse holiday homes in Bude and log cabins in Bude, compare glamping in Bude, or see all holiday lettings in Bude. Fancy exploring further afield? Take a look at holiday lettings in St Ives or camping in Cornwall.

What are the best areas to stay in Bude?

It depends on the holiday you have in mind: the seafront is best for the beaches and surf, while the countryside suits peace and space. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests booking cottages in Bude through Holidu often highlight the cosy comfort of a wood burner after a day on the beach, the golden Blue Flag sands and the bracing swims in the Bude Sea Pool. Many mention the superb surfing, the dramatic coast path walks and how welcome their dogs are made, and return for the friendly seaside atmosphere and the easy mix of beach days and clifftop adventures.

On the rugged north coast of Cornwall in south-west England, Bude is a friendly seaside and surfing town famed for its golden Blue Flag beaches at Summerleaze, Crooklets and Widemouth Bay. Home to the sea-water Bude Sea Pool, the historic Bude Canal and its towpath, Bude Castle and the Storm Tower, it blends superb surf with dramatic clifftop walks along the South West Coast Path. With the enchanting harbour of Boscastle and legendary Tintagel close by, it makes a wonderful base for a cosy cottage holiday.

🥗Where to eat in Bude?

According to Google Maps reviews, Temple Restaurant + Terrace Bar is one of the best rated restaurants in Bude. Below is a table showing top highly-rated spots hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers rate Life's A Beach, a casual spot serving fresh seafood specials with wonderful views over the bay at Summerleaze: the perfect place to watch the surf roll in over a relaxed lunch or an evening meal.

1. Relax on the beaches
2. Swim in the Bude Sea Pool
3. Learn to surf
4. Walk the Bude Canal towpath
5. Explore Bude Castle and the Storm Tower
6. Hike the South West Coast Path
7. Day-trip to Boscastle and Tintagel

1. Relax on the beaches

   Bude's golden beaches are among the finest in Cornwall, from the family-friendly sands of Summerleaze to the surf at Crooklets and the broad sweep of Widemouth Bay. Backed by dunes and dramatic cliffs and awarded the Blue Flag for their clean water, they are perfect for building sandcastles, rock-pooling and lazy days in the sea air. Many welcome dogs out of season, making them a firm favourite with families and their four-legged friends.

2. Swim in the Bude Sea Pool

   Tucked into the rocks below Summerleaze Beach, the Bude Sea Pool is a much-loved semi-natural tidal pool filled fresh by the sea at every high tide. Free to use and safe from the currents, it offers bracing, sheltered swimming with the waves crashing just beyond the wall. A charitable trust cares for it, and a dip here is a quintessential Bude experience for swimmers of all ages.

3. Learn to surf

   Bude is one of Cornwall's great surfing towns, with consistent Atlantic swells rolling into Summerleaze, Crooklets and Widemouth Bay. Friendly surf schools line the beaches, offering lessons and board hire for complete beginners and improvers alike, while more experienced surfers can chase the bigger sets. Whether you fancy your first wave or a dawn session, the surf is at the heart of Bude's laid-back seaside spirit.

4. Walk the Bude Canal towpath

   The historic Bude Canal offers one of the loveliest gentle walks in town, its level towpath following the water inland from the sea lock past reed beds and grazing meadows. Perfect for families, buggies and dogs, it is alive with swans, herons and dragonflies, with cafes and picnic spots along the way. Hire a rowing boat or simply stroll and soak up the peaceful scenery away from the beach.

5. Explore Bude Castle and the Storm Tower

   Overlooking Summerleaze Beach, Bude Castle was built in the 1830s by inventor Sir Goldsworthy Gurney and now houses a heritage centre telling the story of the town, its canal and its shipwrecks. Nearby, the octagonal Storm Tower stands sentinel on the headland with sweeping views over the coast. Together they make an atmospheric and rainy-day-friendly glimpse into Bude's seafaring past.

6. Hike the South West Coast Path

   Bude sits on the celebrated South West Coast Path, and the clifftops on either side of town offer some of the most dramatic walking in Cornwall. Head north towards Northcott Mouth and Sandymouth or south past Widemouth Bay for towering cliffs, hidden coves and endless sea views. Bracing and beautiful, these clifftop trails reward walkers with fresh air, wildflowers and the chance to spot seals and seabirds below.

7. Day-trip to Boscastle and Tintagel

   A short drive down the coast brings you to the enchanting harbour village of Boscastle and legendary Tintagel, steeped in the myths of King Arthur. Explore Tintagel Castle's clifftop ruins linked by a striking footbridge, wander Boscastle's pretty quay and visit its quirky museums. With rugged scenery and rich history, this stretch of the Cornish coast makes a memorable day out from your Bude base.