Trevalgas Cottages, Bude, North Cornwall

© Trevalgas Cottages, Bude, North Cornwall    |    Sitemap    |   Page updated 14 February 2012

Bude's situation, close to the Devon border, makes it an ideal centre from which to explore both Cornwall and north Devon.

Out and About - Walking (with or without a dog)

Useful links

Visit Bude - The Official tourism Web Site for Bude

Bude Webcam - Twelve up-to-the minute views from the Castle at Bude - or even see what the weather is like!

Bude at Cornwall Online - Lots of detail about the town and surrounding area.

Bude’s Atlantic Trail - Details of cycle routes in and around the area.

See also our Press Comments page.  It includes a fascinating article from the Sunday Telegraph (10.08.2009) about Bude and it’s history - and “a dotty vicar and a famous inventor”  

“Golf is a good walk spoiled” - a remark attributed to Mark Twain - but this page is not to comment on golf, but to offer some information aimed at helping those who want to spend some time walking when in the area. It is known that walking is very good for us - not only for the exercise but for the sheer enjoyment of being in the fresh, clean, air in coastal north Cornwall.

Whether you have a dog that needs daily walking, prefer a gentle saunter exploring the locality, or are intent on clocking up the mileage along the South West Coast Path, Trevalgas Cottages will provide a good base.

Below are:-

A. Suggestions for a few popular local walks in the immediate area

B. Places that may be convenient/suitable for dog walking.

C. Some useful links that provide much more detailed information according to you walking interests

A. Three local walks, each of which includes options for a shorter/longer or circular route

1. Bude canal walk to Helebridge.  In essence, this is a there-and-back level walk on the tarmac’d path along the canal with two options for a circular route using the cycle path.

Please note that the cycle path is a multi-purpose path where cyclists and walkers have equal rights and responsibilities. The canal path is officially designated as a footpath and cycling is not permitted.

• There and back route. Usual start point would be in Bude near the canal, either at Lower Wharf or the Crescent Car Park (follow the signs to Bude TIC). Once you are on the canal path, just follow it inland.  The path goes by the hide for the Nature Reserve and if you only want a very short circular walk, turn left over the bridge across the river, and another left turn where the foot path joins the cycle path which will take you back to your start point. For those doing the whole route, press on to Rodds Bridge (beware of road traffic) where the path changes to the other side of the canal. On this second part of the walk, you will pass two recently restored locks (part of Bude Canal Regeneration Project) and then reach Helebridge where the canal goes under the A39. If in need of refreshment, The Weir Tearoom is very handy. Return when ready
• Circular walk option for coming back. This follows the cycle path. Cross under the A39 and follow the path to the cycle route on the east side of the A39. After a few hundred yards, the cycle path leaves the A39 (Be careful crossing the road) and it will take you back into Bude.

B. Dog walking

One of the most popular areas for dog walking in Bude is Summerleaze Down - a large green open space between Summerleaze and Crooklets beaches - which includes the local cricket square and pitch and putt course.  There is convenient parking nearby, many benches (if you need to sit and contemplate) and dog waste bins.  It’s handy too for access to Bude’s beaches (see more below)

A nearer area of open space popular with dog owners is the Civil War Battlefield site off Stamford Hill.

In addition, there are many signed paths and tracks in the area though some can get quite muddy or boggy in wet weather

• Longer circular walk options. Near to Helebridge, en route towards The Weir Tearoom, near a style, you should see a footpath sign pointing west across a field, with a slight gradient, towards the coast.  This path will take you close to Widemouth Bay (and several refreshment places) where the return to Bude is along the SW Coast path. This route is about 7-8 miles, depending on whether you go into Widemouth Bay.  The path will bring you into Bude close by ‘The Pepper Pot’ (more formally known as Compass Point), an octagonal Victorian structure once a coastguard lookout. (Beware, while The Pepper Pot has the 8 principal compass points engraved on its sides, they are misaligned by a few degrees!)
• Slightly shorter circular walk - but it misses the refreshment opportunities! Between Rodds Bridge and Helebridge there is a signed permissive route which follows a rough path towards the sea and brings you on to the Coast path.

2. Bude to Northcott Mouth, and on to Sandymouth for a longer walk.

Northcott Mouth is about 1 mile north of Bude, and Sandymouth is a further 2 miles. This is great walk at low tide if the weather is fine as it means it become a circular trip along the South West Coastal path and back along the flat sandy beach (or the other way round).  Otherwise just use the footpath both ways (the view is different even though it’s the same path) though there are one or two steepish sections.  In the summer months the tea rooms at both Northcott Mouth and Sandymouth are open. There are car parks at both Northcott Mouth and Sandymouth; the National Trust honesty box is best value.

3. Circular walk/s from Morwenstow Church

A choice of two circular walks depending on how much time (and energy) you have. Park close to Morwenstow Church (well worth a look) and head west towards the sea and the SW Coastal Path, and turn south.  In a short while you’ll see the sign for Hawker’s Hut, the National Trusts’ smallest property, built with wood salvaged from wrecks by Rev Hawker, used as his private retreat.  Another place that’s well worth a look.  Rejoin the path going south.

Within a few hundred yards, there is an option to turn inland where a track will take you back towards the church, passing (or even stopping at) the Bush Inn.

For a longer and more demanding walk, stay on the Coastal Path which has a steep descent into Tidna Valley.  At this point turn inland and climb steadily through the valley to emerge close to the Bush Inn.

C. Useful links

Bude Tourist Information Centre web site.
The TIC sells some excellent leaflets on local walks. This link goes to their ‘Walking’ page.

South West Coast Path
The path runs 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset - so that includes all of Cornwall’s coastline.  A superb web site with much helpful information and great maps and guides.

Cornwall Council web site
Here is a good selection of Accessible Walks.  This link goes directly to a very detailed guide of the Bude Canal/Helebridge walk outlined above.

Walking World
This site has a good ‘Find a Walk’ search facility – and this link is based on walks within 10 miles of Bude. It list 22 walks.

British Walks
This site covers the whole of the UK and is aimed at those wanting a long walk.  There are 4 specified routes for walks to/from Bude - between 13 and 18 miles long.

Download the Cornwall Visitor Guide for Dog Owners
- a detailed and informative leaflet published by Cornwall Council