page_title: Bude
section_title: Beaches
hierarchical_section_title: Bude / History and description / Beaches
context_page_description: Bude is a compact seaside resort town in north east Cornwall, England, in the civil parish of Bude-Stratton and at the mouth of the River Neet. It was sometimes formerly known as Bude Haven. It lies southwest of Stratton, south of Flexbury and Poughill, and north of Widemouth Bay, located along the A3073 road off the A39. Bude is twinned with Ergué-Gabéric in Brittany, France. Bude's coast faces Bude Bay in the Celtic Sea, part of the Atlantic Ocean. The population of the civil parish can be found under Bude-Stratton. It has a vibrant local community, well-known for its focus on the environment and home to the Two Minute Foundation started by writer, surfer and activist, Martin Dorey, among other green initiatives.
  Its earlier importance was as a harbour, and then a source of sea sand useful for improving the inland soil. This was transported using Bude Canal. The Victorians favoured it as a seaside resort. With new rail links, it became a popular seaside destination in the 20th century. Bradshaw’s Guide of 1866, Section 2, described Bude as: “a small port and picturesque village in the north-eastern extremity of Cornwall”.
context_section_description: There are a number of good beaches in the Bude area, many of which offer good surfing conditions. Bude was the founder club in British Surf Life Saving.
  Summerleaze, Crooklets and 'middle' beach, are all within the town;
  Widemouth Bay is a few miles south of the town and offers a long, wide sandy beach;
  Sandymouth Beach is owned by the National Trust, and has spectacular cliffs and rock formations with shingle below the cliffs and a large expanse of sand at low tide. There are also a number of other coves and beaches to be found and explored in the local area.
caption: The sea lock on Bude Canal
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