One of our favourite pastimes is setting off on a coastal walk to blow away the cobwebs and breathe in that restorative salty sea air. The restorative effect of walking has never been as prevalent as during the last 12 months; lockdown has seen many of us using our daily walks to reconnect and refresh. Immersing ourselves in nature recharges the batteries and refuels the soul.
During lockdown you may have explored every inch of your local area and cannot wait to get out there to explore further afield. We feel extraordinarily blessed to live here on our cliff top farm in North Cornwall with miles of stunning coastline walks on our doorstep and cannot wait to share it with visitors new and old. We have so much natural beauty to share, come and take a look…
Walks Near Bude Suitable for The Whole Family
1. Widemouth Bay to Bude Coastal Walk
This circular coastal walk is approximately 6 miles (10km) and takes in some stunning scenery, panoramic coastal views and even a nature reserve teeming with wildlife. This stunning walk starts at Widemouth Bay and then follows the coast path north, passing Phillip’s Point Nature Reserve (one of Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s smallest reserves) to the watchtower at Compass Point and then along the canal towards Bude. Keep an eye out for the swathes of sea pinks and campions (and look out for the seals which can sometimes be seen at the nature reserve). The towering cliffs will make you feel a sense of diminutive awe as you hug the coastline, especially when you get to Compass Point and you can see all the way across to the Trevose Head lighthouse on a clear day.
Special Note: This coastal walk is suitable for dogs and children due to the lack of stiles, however as with much of our dramatic coastline, always be aware cliff edges where there is no fencing.
2. Bude to Crackington Haven
This (nearly) 10 mile walk can be challenging due to the steep valleys and rough sections (including Scrade which is one of the deepest most dramatic valleys on the Cornwall coastal path) but those plucky enough to challenge themselves will be rewarded with breath-taking, dramatic views across the mighty Atlantic ocean. There are numerous waterfalls along the walk to Crackington, including the final one at Aller Shoot which is a particularly beautiful feature of this walk. Dizzard Wood is a mystical coastal woodland filled with rare lichens and oak trees stunted by the force of the Cornish weather. It is said that it is a remnant of the prehistoric forest which once covered the entire country. Once you arrive at Crackington Haven (the closest surf beach to Trevigue) sit back and enjoy the sheltered backdrop of cliffs as you dip your toes in the rockpools (at low tide).
Special Note: The valleys are a playing place for many species of butterfly so keep your eyes peeled as you amble between the peaks of the cliffs. Chipman Valley has been dubbed ‘Butterfly Valley’ thanks to the kaleidoscopic fluttering of red admirals and meadow browns.
3. The Bude Aqueduct Trail
This pretty circular 10mile walk takes in some interesting scenery and you even get to straddle the border between Devon and Cornwall as you cross the Tamar Lakes on the approach to Pancrasweek. The marshy heathland of Dunsdon Nature Reserve halfway along your walk to Bude has some rare examples of plants, including the lesser butterfly orchid, petty whin and wavy-leaved St John’s Wort. This makes the Bude Aqueduct walk a hot spot for keen horticulturists. 26 butterfly species have been spotted here, and sometimes otter can be spotted playing in the rivers too so keep your eyes peeled.
Special Note: The Bude waterway was closed for industrial trade in 1901 thanks to the introduction of railways making the canal network redundant.
4. Bude to Sandymouth Walk
This walk is of moderate difficulty and only about 6miles (with 2 of these miles on beautiful stretches of golden sand), making it a popular one for people looking for family-friendly walks near Bude. With a castle, a shipwreck and an historic tidal sea pool to look out for on this popular coastal walk, there’s lots of interesting things to keep all ages engaged. Keep eyes peeled for herons and egrets at Bude’s River Neet, whilst photographers will love the stunning panoramic coastal views (south to Tintagel Island and North to Morwenstow).
Special Note: Dogs are allowed on Summerleaze beach, Sandymouth and Northcott Mouth all year round, but there are seasonal restrictions on Crooklets beach so check before visiting this beach with your dog.
5. Tintagel to Boscastle Walk
Starting out at the home of the legend of King Arthur, this 9 mile coastal walk takes in some of North Cornwall’s most magical and interesting coastline. At Willapark the remains of an iron age settlement lie beneath the gorse, whilst Boscastle is known as one of Cornwall’s prettiest fishing villages. The final stretch of this walk near Bude takes in St Nectan’s Glen. The woodland of the Glen is rumoured to hold magical powers and you can see hundreds of brightly coloured ribbons tied into the trees where people have pilgrimaged to make wishes and immerse themselves in the positive energy.
Special Note: After rain (most of winter!) the section through the Glen can be very muddy and slippery so take care/boots.
6. Port Isaac to Tintagel Walk
This is a one-way walk of 9.7miles which can be strenuous in parts due to inclines and unsteady ground. Up and out of the valley past Barrett’s Zawn is one of the steepest and most difficult climbs on the entire Cornish Coast Path! This is where the donkey used to carry the slate through the clifftop tunnel, back in the days of the slate mines and you can still see the ‘donkey hole’ in the rock. Swathes of wildflowers will provide the glorious anecdote to any strenuous climbing in spring, whilst the chance of spotting rare seabirds and even an ancient church at Tintagel (as well as the famous, recently renovated Tintagel bridge).
Special Note: In rough seas/stormy weather sometimes you can see the sea foam whisk itself into a frenzy and create incredible sea foam ‘tornadoes’ at Backways Cove (a small rocky inlet beneath Trebarwith Village). Amazing to see, but don’t get soaked!
7. Port Isaac to Polzeath Walk
As well as being a quaint, quintessentially Cornish fishing village, Port Isaac is of course most famous for being the setting for the TV series Doc Martin. This coastal walk (also known as the ‘rollercoaster’!) can be strenuous in parts so walking boots are recommended.
After you’ve had a look around the spots you recognise from the show (!), wind your way past Port Quin (once a bustling fishing village but now just a fistful of houses) and around the Rumps headland (where you can walk through the Iron Age fortifications) and Pentire Point. At Pentire Point stop and look back at the Rumps where the rocky structure looks like the spiny backbone of a dragon going down into the sea. And finally after a stunning walk with so many points of interest, you will make your descent on to the famous surf beach of Polzeath.
Special Note: The tide goes out and comes in a long way at Polzeath beach so keep that in mind to avoid floating picnics!
8. Port Isaac to Port Quin Walk
If you want to cut the distance of the walk above (Port Isaac to Polzeath) in half, then try the Port Isaac to Port Quin walk. This pretty circular coastal walk goes from the pretty fishing village of Port Quin to Kellan Head. Enjoy the stunning views over the natural harbour and pretty woodland sections before wending your way back to Port Quin. Keep eyes peeled for the playful grey seals before approaching National Trust-owned Doyden Castle – a small folly built in 1830 that sits on the edge of the cliffs on the Port Quin headland. At Port Quin look out for the ‘Cow and Calf’ rock formation out in the sea- so named because one rock is smaller than the other.
Special Note: Enjoy the rolling waves and seemingly endless undulations- this stretch of coastline can be challenging, but oh-so-worth it.
We are looking forward to welcoming walkers, hikers and those with a penchant adventure to our little corner of Cornwall. The coastal path walks near Bude you can enjoy whilst staying here at Trevigue are nothing short of breathtaking and we love to share them with our guests. Get in touch today to book your next stay!
