Holiday rentals in Bude

Thanks to low-lying rocks and some of the tallest cliffs in Britain, this stretch of the north Cornwall coast has always been a place of high drama. In the 19th century, wreckers would lure ships to their doom and plunder their contents. Today, the Atlantic waves at Bude attract surfers, while its quiet beaches have made it a popular destination for families booking holiday cottages. Independent shops and businesses maintain the town’s traditional feel, along with a restored canal that affords pleasant walks into the surrounding countryside. Summerleaze beach, a five-minute walk from the center, is overlooked by the crenellated walls of Bude Castle, a 19th-century mansion built by a local inventor, while sunsets over the harbor pick out the dramatic silhouette of Barrel Rock, a treacherous outcrop marked out by a tall beacon made of ― you guessed it ― a barrel.

Storms are a regular part of life on the Atlantic coast, and can be part of the fun of visiting here. You just need to be prepared, with plenty of warm, waterproof clothing and good footwear for walking the cliffs. Rain can be expected any time of year, and the wind can make it feel colder than it is, with average temperatures between 55 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Cornwall is famous for being one of the sunniest spots in the UK, with an average low temperature in winter that rarely drops below 37 degrees. The sea temperature averages 68 degrees (dropping to around 50 degrees in the winter), so wetsuits are recommended.

Lundy Island

Officially part of Devon, this 3.5-mile-long island can be seen from the sandy beach of Widemouth Bay, just south of Bude. Car-free, and home to a 13th century castle, it’s a serene place for a day trip, and home to all kinds of wildlife, from seals and dolphins to wild ponies and deer.

Bude Sea Pool

Built in the 1930s out of the surrounding rocks, this semi-natural tidal pool nestles beneath the cliffs of Summerleaze Downs, where it offers a calm alternative to sea swimming. It’s larger than an Olympic-size pool, and the water is usually a good deal warmer than the Atlantic.

Crackington Haven

Bude is surrounded by pretty villages — Poundstock, Stratton, Kilkhampton, and Morwenstow — but this is one that should be at the top of your list. The views from its cliff tops are spectacular, the waves are great for surfing, and its shingled beach and sandy shore are nicely sheltered and fringed with rock pools.