Beach Retreats team
19 August 2025
Golden sand, colourful beach huts and the hum of the waves. Summerleaze Beach is the beating heart of Bude. With the Atlantic rolling in, families paddling at the shoreline, surfers waxing their boards and swimmers dipping into the sea pool, it’s where the whole town comes alive. Just steps from the centre of Bude and with its mix of seaside charm and adventurous spirit, Summerleaze is a beach for everyone.
Bude Sea Pool
No summer in Bude is complete without a dip in Bude Sea Pool. Cut into the rocks at the base of the cliffs in 1930, this semi-natural tidal pool offers safe, calm waters beside the open ocean – perfect for wild swimmers and family splashing. Today, it’s lovingly maintained by the charity Friends of Bude Sea Pool, who protect and fund this local landmark. Arrive early for a peaceful morning swim or float on your back at sunset as the cliffs glow gold above you.
Surf and sand
With consistent waves and a wide, sandy beach, Summerleaze is great for budding surfers. Big Blue Surf School, based right on the beach, is one of Cornwall’s longest running surf schools and offers lessons for all abilities.
Look up from the sand and you’ll spot the Storm Tower, or ‘Pepperpot’, perched dramatically on Compass Point. Originally built in 1835 as a navigation aid for ships, it remains a striking symbol of Bude’s maritime heritage and one of the best viewpoints for watching the waves roll in.
Food and drink
From beach cafés to stylish small plates, Bude’s food scene makes refuelling part of the adventure:
Life’s a Beach Café is a Summerleaze institution, serving shell-on prawns, daily specials and local fish with unrivalled sea views.
The Lock Gates Café, set beside the canal, is a laid-back spot for coffee, light lunches and cakes.
Temple offers small plates with big flavour, best enjoyed on its rooftop terrace as the sun dips low.
For something fresh and design-led, try Golowi Bar Café, part of George & Mills Interiors, where matcha, cold-pressed juices and artisan coffee meet contemporary style.
Local finds
Beyond the sand, Bude is full of creative spirit and independent character:
Rooted Ocean – a workshop and surf shop specialising in board repairs and handcrafted, ocean-inspired apparel.
Wharf Studio – local artist Lynne’s gallery, showcasing artwork and upcycled surfboard creations.
After a salty dip, sweat it out at the Ocean Soul Sauna, a wood-fired retreat overlooking Crooklets Beach next door – a unique way to balance hot and cold therapy with Atlantic views. At low tide, you can walk across from Summerleaze.
Back on Summerleaze, stay a little longer as the evening settles in. Surfers ride their last waves, kids chase the tide as it slips out, and the pastel huts glow in golden light.
Discover surf, swims, sea pool dips and golden evenings, where Bude’s community spirit meets Cornish seaside charm.
Stay at Summerleaze
Your Beach. Found
Your beach is the one that has just what you’re looking for: sandcastle sand, shoreline strolls, sunset surfs or sunrise swims. Find your beach with the Beach Match Quiz.
Take the quiz
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.