Activities & Attractions in Bude

Bude’s attractions run from a genuine Victorian inventor’s legacy to a supermarket walkway that accidentally became internet-famous. It’s a properly odd, properly enjoyable mix.

The Bude Tunnel

What is the Bude Tunnel?

A perfectly ordinary 70-metre Perspex covered walkway connecting Sainsbury’s to its car park. Nothing more, nothing less, which is exactly what makes the rest of this story so good.

Why is the Bude Tunnel famous on the internet?

In May 2018, someone posted a joke TripAdvisor review praising it in mock-serious tones, “handcrafted Cornish Perspex” and all. It went properly viral, climbed to the top of Bude’s TripAdvisor attractions, and the town leaned into the joke completely, selling postcards to raise money for the Bude Sea Pool.

Bude Castle & Sir Goldsworthy Gurney

What is inside The Castle Bude?

A heritage centre covering Bude’s history, from its canal and holiday-resort past to shipwrecks and local crafts, alongside a dedicated exhibition on Sir Goldsworthy Gurney, who built the house.

Who was Sir Goldsworthy Gurney?

A Victorian inventor, born near Padstow, who built Bude Castle as his home around 1830. He’s best known for the steam carriage and the “Bude Light”, a brilliant early form of illumination, alongside work on mine ventilation and lighthouse signalling. Genuinely one of Cornwall’s most under-celebrated scientists.

The Castle itself is a minor engineering feat in its own right, Gurney built it directly onto the sand dunes using a concrete raft foundation, to prove it could be done.

The Bude Canal & Storm Tower

What is the history of the Bude Canal?

Opened in 1823, the canal was built mainly to carry sea sand inland as fertiliser, enriching poor local farmland. It’s now a peaceful stretch of water lined with cafes rather than a working transport route.

Can you hire boats on the Bude canal?

Yes, boat and canoe hire is available on the canal in season, a genuinely relaxed way to spend an hour away from the beaches.

Where is the Storm Tower?

On Compass Point, overlooking Summerleaze Beach. This small octagonal tower, locally nicknamed “the Pepper Pot”, was originally a coastguard lookout, built around 1830 and inspired by the Temple of Winds in Athens.

Walking & Golf

What are the best walks near Bude?

The coast path towards Sandymouth and Northcott Mouth offers genuinely dramatic clifftop scenery, while the flat canal towpath makes an easy, low-key alternative.

Does the South West Coast Path pass through Bude?

Yes, the path runs directly through town, easily picked up from Summerleaze or Compass Point without needing to drive anywhere first.

Can you play golf in Bude?

Yes, Bude has its own golf club with genuinely striking coastal views, a proper round with the sea as a backdrop for much of it.

Are there bike hire shops in Bude?

Bike hire is available locally, a good option for exploring the canal towpath and quieter inland lanes around the town.

Indoor & Rainy Day Options

What family indoor activities are in Bude?

Bude Castle’s heritage centre, alongside various indoor activity venues around town, gives families plenty to do when the weather turns.

What rainy-day activities exist in Bude?

The Castle heritage centre, local cafes, and independent shops all make for a decent wet-weather plan without needing to drive far.

Are there escape rooms or bowling alleys in Bude?

Check current local listings for what’s operating, as smaller indoor activity venues do come and go in a town this size.

Where is the best place to watch the sunset in Bude?

Compass Point and the Storm Tower give an open, elevated view over Summerleaze Beach and out to sea, a reliable spot for a proper sunset.

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