Area guide
Bude — your nearest town
Bude is the friendly North Cornwall seaside town about two miles from the valley — beaches, a sea pool, a historic canal, independent shops and somewhere to eat after a day on the coast.
For a small town, Bude packs a lot in. The beaches, Summerleaze and Crooklets, are right on the edge of town, with the much-loved Bude Sea Pool tucked beneath the cliffs at Summerleaze.
The beaches and the sea pool
Summerleaze and Crooklets sit right on the edge of town, so you can park, walk down and be on the sand in minutes. Summerleaze is the one most people head for first, with the Bude Sea Pool at the foot of the cliffs — a sea-water pool that the tide tops up, and a gentler swim than the open Atlantic on a lively day.
Both beaches are close enough that a lazy beach morning doesn’t need much planning. Take the towels, come back for lunch, go again in the afternoon if the weather holds.
The canal and the town
The Bude Canal runs from the sea lock inland and makes for a flat, easy walk or cycle, with cafés along the way. It is one of the easiest walks in Bude — no hills, water on one side, and somewhere to stop for coffee at either end.
The town itself has a good mix of independent shops, surf hire, places to eat and the practical things you’ll want for a self-catering stay.
An easy base
Because we’re so close, Bude is your go-to for an evening out, a forgotten essential, or a lazy beach morning. The South West Coast Path runs straight through the town, so you can start a walk from the sea lock and be on the cliffs within minutes.
Most guests end up in Bude at least once a day without really meaning to — for the bakery, the beach, or somewhere to eat when nobody fancies cooking.
At a glance
Highlights
Distances and times are from the park.
Summerleaze Beach
Distance from the park: About two miles from the park
The main town beach, a short walk from the centre and home to the sea pool.
Bude Sea Pool
Distance from the park: About two miles from the park
A sea-water pool tucked beneath the cliffs at Summerleaze, topped up by the tide.
Crooklets Beach
Distance from the park: About two miles from the park
The other town beach, just along from Summerleaze on the edge of Bude.
The Bude Canal
Distance from the park: About two miles from the park
Flat, easy walking or cycling from the sea lock inland, with cafés along the way.
The town centre
Distance from the park: About two miles from the park
Independent shops, surf hire, places to eat, and the practical bits for a self-catering stay.
South West Coast Path
Distance from the park: About two miles from the park
The path runs straight through Bude, so walks in either direction start in town.
Questions & answers
About two miles. We’re at Bush, just inland, so Bude is a few minutes’ drive from the park.
Summerleaze and Crooklets — both are on the edge of town rather than a drive away, and the Bude Sea Pool sits beneath the cliffs at Summerleaze.
A sea-water pool at the foot of the cliffs on Summerleaze Beach, refilled by the tide. It’s a calmer swim than the open beach when the Atlantic is up.
The towpath from the sea lock inland is flat and easy going, which makes it one of the simplest walks or cycles in the area, with cafés along the way.
Yes. Alongside the independent shops and surf hire there are the practical things you’ll want for a self-catering stay, so a forgotten essential is only a short drive away.
It does — the South West Coast Path runs straight through the town, so you can pick it up in Bude and walk north or south from there.
Dogs are welcome in every stay here, so plenty of guests take theirs into town and along the canal. Keep them on a lead no longer than two metres, and check the notices at the beach entrance, as seasonal rules vary from beach to beach.
Make the valley your base
Live availability and prices, booked direct — no booking fees, no middleman.