Things To Do
Contact
David on 07771 514820
david@mallardsbude.co.uk
The most useful site for the local area is www.visitbude.info. The tourist information office for the Bude area is just a few minute’s walk from the house beside the canal. For information about Cornwall and Devon generally we suggest you simply use your preferred internet search engine. The following is a very brief summary.
For anyone who wants an activity holiday in Cornwall our cottage in Bude is an ideal base. There is a huge range of outdoor pursuits and sports facilities available, many within walking distance. One of the largest adventure and activity holiday companies in the country is based in Bude, and there are many other smaller ones in the area offering individual tuition and equipment hire as well as courses for groups. There is of course also endless scope to do things independently. The following is a just a brief summary of the activities available, and there are some useful links included.
Eating Out
The Barge at Bude
Excellent lunches, cream teas, coffees and cakes etc. on the canal at reasonable prices. Dogs allowed.
Elements at The Beach at Bude
Highly recommended high end restaurant and cocktails.
River Life Bistro
Can be found by cycle hire shop across nature reserve, good value friendly service dogs welcome
Widemouth Manor
Real ales and good food in a relaxed pub environment with comfy sofas and large outdoor terraces.
Life’s a Beach
Scandinavian style bistro restaurant / cafe overlooking Summerleaze beach.
Outdoor Activities
Canoeing & Kayaking
Bude Canal is perfect for learning to handle canoes and kayaks, and its two miles of navigable water is used extensively by beginners. Surf kayaking is also very popular on the beaches mentioned above. You can launch a surf kayak from the private jetty of our holiday cottage and be at Summerleaze beach in about 5 minutes! Sheltered access to the sea from the end of the canal makes Mallards a perfect starting point for experienced sea kayakers.
Surfing
Raven Surf School. The best in the area for small groups and individual tuition. Highly recommended. Lots of links to other useful surfing sites, weather and surf forecasts, tide data and local information.
Rock Climbing & Abseiling
There is some good rock climbing on the cliffs around Bude, and some classic routes in quite isolated spots along the coast in both directions. Some of the tors on Dartmoor and Bodmin are less than an hour’s drive away. Abseiling is a popular
Cycling
The roads are relatively quiet in this part of Cornwall and up into Devon, both near the coast and inland, so there is plenty of scope for exploring the area safely by bike. There are several well-signposted cycle routes in the area, including a local off-road but surfaced route into town, starting from the canal towpath and crossing the river valley through the nature reserve. You can also get to a number of off-road cycle routes within an hour’s drive, including the Camel Trail between Bodmin and Padstow, and the Tarka Trail along the Torridge estuary.
Walking
There is an extensive network of public footpaths in the Bude area, both inland and along the coast, including some of the most spectacular parts of the South West Coast Path. In addition the local authority and the National Trust are very active in improving access to the coast by creating permitted paths and access land by agreement with landowners. These are well signposted but only appear on the most recent O.S. maps. The more popular routes are well-maintained and signposted and there are numerous circular walks and nature trails of varying lengths.
Angling
Bude Canal is a popular spot for coarse fishermen and competitions are often held there. You can fish from the private jetty at Mallards. There are numerous course and trout fishing lakes and rivers in the area, including several large reservoirs managed by the South West Lakes Trust.
Golf
There is an excellent 18 hole links golf course at Bude with views of the sea and adjacent to the town centre. Visitors are welcome. See www.budegolf.co.uk for details. For those who don’t take their golf too seriously, there is also a crazy golf in the park.
Tennis
There are six well-maintained municipal courts by the park between the canal and the town centre, about 10 minutes walk from Mallards.
Swimming
Bude has a very large sea-water pool at Summerleaze Beach which was restored and re-opened in 2005. There is also an indoor pool with water slides etc. on the edge of town adjacent to Morrisons supermarket.