Widemouth Bay

Widemouth Bay (pronounced “Widmuth”) is a broad, south-facing sandy beach 3 miles south of Bude on the north Cornwall coast. The beach stretches for about half a mile and picks up consistent Atlantic swell, making it one of the area’s main surf spots. Several surf schools run lessons here, and boards and wetsuits are available for hire. Seasonal lifeguards patrol from May to September. The car park sits right behind the beach, which is a practical advantage over some of the more remote north coast beaches.

The beach has a cafe, public toilets, and a seasonal shop. The nearby Bay View Inn serves food and has views over the surf. At low tide the beach is big enough that it rarely feels crowded, even in summer. Rock pools form at the southern end. The coast path runs along the cliffs in both directions - north to Bude (about an hour’s walk) or south towards Crackington Haven through some dramatic cliff scenery.

Widemouth Bay is a popular choice for family surf holidays. Bude, with its supermarkets, canal-side walks, sea pool, and Bude Castle Heritage Centre, is a short drive north. The area around the bay has a good supply of self-catering properties, from bungalows near the beach to farmhouse conversions in the surrounding countryside. The Bude Canal towpath provides a flat walking and cycling route inland.