Bude

Introduction

Bude in North Cornwall is a small, unspoilt seaside town situated on the Atlantic Heritage Coast. It is well known for its surfing and annual jazz festival. There are many shops to explore - including a number of excellent surf shacks.

Surfing The excellent beaches to be found in Bude have ample lifeguard cover during the summer months, this being the home of England's very first Surf Life Saving Club, formed in 1953. Bude and nearby beaches provide some of the finest surfing to be had in all England. Read a surf check of Bude's conditions at the moment.

Bude Jazz Festival

The annual Bude Jazz Festival takes place at the end of August. The festival usually features about 200 events, with music ranging from blues and ragtime to mainstream and bop, with an especially rich choice of old style New Orleans and classic jazz. A single ticket allows you to visit an amazing range of jazz sessions every lunchtime, afternoon and evening. The many jazz venues are mostly within easy walking distance of each other. Phone 01288 356360 or 01633 211368 for further details.

Bude Canal

The famous Bude Canal was built in the early 1820’s to carry calcium rich sea sand, used by farmers as fertiliser for the poor soil to be found further inland. Water was fed into the canal system from the Tamar Lakes, the project was a magnificent engineering feat of its day, stretching 35 miles from Bude to Holsworthy and on to Launceston. The sea lock was constructed to allow coastal merchant ships access to the canal and the upper and lower wharf in Bude. The lock opened in 1823 and is still in operation today.

Tourist Information