The top beaches near Bude

Crooklets Beach

Second on our list is Crooklets Beach, another beach with golden sand and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. It is perfect for leisurely strolls, sunbathing, and beachcombing. 

The facilities on Crooklets Beach make it family-friendly. There is ample parking nearby, public toilets, and lifeguards on duty during the peak seasons. There are beach huts which are available to hire, along with deckchairs, to create a typical British holiday scene! There is also a café that serves drinks and hot food.

For us, one of the many reasons to visit Crooklets Beach is the surfing. The conditions are perfect, and it’s a hotspot for those interested in watersports. There are also plenty of spots for rock pooling for the mini adventurers in the family. 

Widemouth Bay

If picturesque is what you’re looking for, we’d recommend Widemouth Bay. It’s a beautiful beach framed by dramatic cliffs and sand dunes. It’s also known as a great spot for wildlife, particularly marine life. Like most of the beaches on the list, there is plenty of room for an array of beach activities, including sunbathing, beach games, people-watching, and picnicking. It’s ideal for a mix of relaxation and fun. 

The facilities at Widemouth Bay mirror those of the previous two beaches on the list. You’ll find public toilets and lifeguard patrols in the high seasons. There is also a café serving the usual snacks, lunches, drinks and food. 

If you’re looking to hit the waves, there is also equipment available to hire, and for those who are just dipping their toe quite literally in the water, there is a surf school to get you up on the waves. 

The exposed nature of Widemouth Bay means it’s an exceptional spot for surfing (it attracts surfers from all over the world). The constant swells make it popular for bodyboarders, surfing, windsurfing, and any other water sport you can think of!

Sandymouth Beach

Let’s be honest: most beaches are stunning, and Sandymouth Beach is no exception. It has a rugged beauty. It’s flanked by towering cliffs and backs onto soft sand dunes, creating beautiful spot for a beach day of relaxation and sunbathing or beach games and paddling. 

The facilities here are also very family-friendly for all ages and include a large car park, public toilets, lifeguard patrols during the popular seasons and a National Trust café which serves refreshments and snacks. 

If walking is your thing, there are great opportunities to explore the surrounding area on the coastal paths and nature trails. 

It’s also a landscape photographer’s dream. The dramatic rock formations and sea stacks, which are exposed at low tide, make for some impressive photos. 

The offshore winds mean this is also an excellent spot to catch the waves on a surf or bodyboard. 

Duckpool Beach

If you’re looking for unspoilt, Duckpool is definitely a beach to add to your list. The beach is a quiet spot with golden sand and crystal waters. Lush greenery and rugged cliffs surround it. It’s a perfect location for swimming, sunbathing and wildlife watching. 

The beauty of Duckpool Beach is that it is relatively undeveloped, which means there are fewer facilities, but also fewer people. However, basic facilities remain, including public toilets and limited parking. You have stunning views across the cliff tops. There are picnic areas and benches to catch your breath and enjoy the scenery en-route. 

Duckpool is known as a tranquil spot of natural beauty, so it is at the top of our list for people who want a more unique, secluded experience. It’s a good beach for those interested in wildlife; there are some great rock pools and an array of marine life. It’s also a perfect spot for anyone looking to explore the geological formations of the coastline. 

Crackington Haven Beach

Another one of our family favourites is Crackington Haven Beach; it’s a little hidden gem, particularly for nature lovers who can enjoy the coastal walks and hiking trails. Crackington Haven is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with diverse flora and fauna to discover along its rugged coastline.

It’s not a soft and sandy beach but a mix of pebbles, shingles and sand. The shoreline is somewhat picturesque, though. The beach is in a sheltered cove surrounded by the dramatic cliffs the Cornish coastline is famous for. 

Being another secluded beach, Crackington Haven Beach’s facilities are a little more basic, but there are still public toilets, seasonal lifeguard patrols, a beachside café and a car park nearby. 

Crackington Haven Beach has made our list mainly because of the spectacular scenery and stunning sunsets. It is an excellent spot for those looking to capture a romantic sunset selfie, or photographers looking to get the perfect golden hour coastal scene. 

There are also opportunities for watersports, especially surfing and bodyboarding—there are offshore winds and consistent waves, so it’s an ideal and beautiful spot to hit the waves. 

We could mention many beaches; over the years, we have visited them all and have many great memories of each one for different reasons. There is something for everyone: beach lovers, nature and wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and watersports fanatics. We may be biased, but with the stunning coastline, golden sands, rugged beauty and excellent facilities, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better area to explore all the natural beauty of North Cornwall.