Several years ago the phrase "the liveliest peace of Cornwall"
was coined to describe the pleasure of Bude and its environment, and despite
the fact that it has now become the centre for several Festivals, little
has changed to alter this claim. The natural beauty of the surrounding
countryside and rugged coastline have been carefully preserved. Crisp,
clean sands, great Atlantic surfing rollers, a high rate of sunshine and
walks with magnificent views of Bude Bay, are there for the visitors'
enjoyment and always will be. The choice is yours: whether to soak up
the excitement and atmosphere of one of the Festivals, or to just soak
up the peace and sheer beauty of the environment, whether to participate
in the many and varied activities or to relax totally in a town renowned
for its helpful friendliness. One word of warning though - we have it
on good authority that one visit to Bude is rarely enough - many visitors
return again and again to experience this "the loveliest peace of Cornwall".
STRATTON, the parent town of Bude, probably dates
back to Roman times, but it was as the stronghold of King Charles and
the Royalists that it made its mark in history. During the Civil War the
7'4" Cornish giant, Anthony Payne, was enlisted as a bodyguard to the
Royalist Sir Bevil Grenville. He fought beside Sir Bevil, Who commanded
the King's army in the victorious battle at nearby Stamford Hill in 1643.
Payne lived and died in the Grenville manor house at Stratton - now the
Tree Inn. It is said that, when the giant died, the house had to be restructured
to allow his huge coffin to be carried in and out. Many of the very fine
churches of Cornwall still bear the Royal Crest decreed by the King in
gratitude to his loyal Cornishmen during the Civil War.
BEACHES
AROUND BUDE
South West Water has completed the first "Clean Sweep"
programme in Bude to guarantee clean bathing water on Bude's beaches.
Water quality testing takes place on a regular basis and results are consistently
amongst the best in the country. Please note there are restrictions on
taking dogs on certain beaches from April to October. Ask at Bude Visitor
Centre for full details.
CROOKLETS
AND SUMMERLEAZE are the two fine Bude beaches, of which mention
has been made before. It is possible, at low tide, to walk to Summerleaze
from Sandymouth, Northcott Mouth or Crooklets - please check on the tide
times and make sure you won't be trapped against the cliffs by the incoming
tide.
WIDEMOUTH
BAY - the most easily accessible and largest
of the beaches, lying adjacent to the coast road. Black Rock stands proud
of the rest of the rocks on the beach which create a large number of interesting
rock pools.
DUCKPOOL
- a delightful little cove at the end of Coombe Valley. SANDYMOUTH
- except at high tide this is a magnificent stretch of firm golden sand,
with many rock pools, reached by driving down a winding country lane.
The car park and cafe are run by the National Trust.
NORTHCOTT
MOUTH - again, except at high tide, a beautiful sandy beach interspersed
with many rock pools.
CRACKINGTON
HAVEN - A delightful spot, with a sandy beach, surrounded by
stretches of down-land covered with golden gorse
PLACES NEAR BUDE
POUGHILL
is a picturesque village just one mile Northeast of Bude and winner
of the Best Kept Village award on a number of occasions.
WIDEMOUTH
BAY just south of Bude, lies in an area of outstanding natural
beauty on the North Cornish coast.
LAUNCELLS
is set in a secluded valley three miles east of Bude; it is away
from everywhere, charming in its loveliness among the fields.
MARHAMCHURCH
lies on the disused canal just 1.5 miles south-east of Bude.
MORWENSTOW
like Marhamchurch, has a church dedicated to St. Morwenna. Standing
high above the sea, about 7 miles north of Bude, the church is very impressive
with much remaining of the original Norman building including the south
doorway and the font.
KILKHAMPTON
about 4 miles from Bude, stands 600 feet above the se and three miles
south of Morwenstow. It is a large attractive village in the heart of
"Grenville country."
WEEK
ST. MARY is a quiet village about seven miles south of Bude.
ST.
GENNYS is a delightful little village perched 400 feet up on
the cliff side just above Crackington Haven.
POUNDSTOCK
three miles north-west of Week St. Mary, is the
site of Penfound Manor, the oldest inhabited manor house in Britain.
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