Villas in Bude
Bude suits families and surfers who want sandy beaches on the north Cornish coast, with a tidal sea pool in town. Widemouth Bay is a few miles south. There is no railway station, so arriving without a car takes planning.
- Villas
- 9
- From, per week
- £448
About Bude
Bude is a seaside town of over 7,000 people at the mouth of the River Neet on Bude Bay. Three beaches lie in the town: Summerleaze, Crooklets and a middle beach, and Summerleaze has a tidal sea pool. Surf is the main draw, and the town was home to the UK's first surf life saving club. Bude has England's only manually operated sea lock gates. Homes sit fairly close together, and many sleep six or more. Cliffs here are sandstone, unusual for Cornwall. Tourism is the main trade, with pubs and restaurants in town for the evening.
Is Bude right for you?
- Best for
- Surfers and families after big sandy beaches
- Not for you if
- You plan to arrive by train, because Bude has no station.
Near Bude
Widemouth Bay
A few miles south of Bude, a surf beach with about a mile of sand and a dog-friendly southern end.
Sandymouth
A National Trust beach with spectacular cliffs and rock formations, and also dog-friendly.
High Cliff
At 735 ft, the highest cliff in Cornwall, south of Bude.
Okehampton
The nearest station with regular train services, about 47 km from Bude.
Getting to Bude
From London it is about 220 miles and four and a half hours by road. Without a car, take a train to Exeter St Davids and then a bus. Okehampton, about 47 km away, and Bodmin Parkway, about 51 km, are the nearest stations with regular services. A car is the practical choice once you arrive.
When to go to Bude
The climate is maritime, with cool summers and mild winters, and annual rainfall averages about 900 mm. Lifeguards are on duty at the main surf beaches in summer. Tourism is the main trade in town.
Villas in Bude
Bude villa holidays: questions answered
Does Bude have a railway station?
No. The line closed in 1966, and Bude and neighbouring Stratton are further from the rail network than any other towns in England. The nearest stations with regular services are Okehampton, about 47 km away, and Bodmin Parkway at about 51 km.
Is Bude good for surfing?
Very. Summerleaze, Crooklets and Widemouth Bay all have good surf, and lifeguards are on duty in summer. The town also had the UK's first surf life saving club.
Can you take dogs to the beaches near Bude?
Many are dog-friendly, including Summerleaze, Widemouth Bay South, Northcott Mouth, Sandy Mouth and Duckpool. Check for any seasonal restrictions on the day before you set out.
Is there a sea pool in Bude?
There is. Summerleaze Beach has a tidal sea pool about 90 m long, and the Bude Sea Pool lido dates from 1930.
How long does it take to drive to Bude from London?
About four and a half hours by road for roughly 220 miles, so it is a long single-day drive from London.
Nearby towns to Bude
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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