Photo guide
Use these photos to get a quick feel for the places mentioned in this guide before planning your route.
Editor's Note
Budemeadows Touring Park is no longer operating through this website. This page rebuilds the old Budemeadows surf topic as a modern travel guide for the Bude and Widemouth Bay area.
Why Surfing Was Part Of The Budemeadows Story
The old Budemeadows website linked the campsite with Widemouth Bay, Bude, and the North Cornwall surf scene. That connection makes sense: many visitors to this part of Cornwall come for beach time, bodyboarding, surf lessons, and coastal weather.
If you are researching the former campsite, treat old surf pages as historical. Conditions, schools, safety guidance, and access details should always be checked from current local sources.
Widemouth Bay
Widemouth Bay is one of the key surf-focused beaches near Bude. It is known for its wide beach and open coastal setting, which is why it appears so often in old Budemeadows material.
For beginners, the most important thing is not whether a beach is famous, but whether conditions are suitable on the day. Wind, tide, swell, rocks, crowds, and lifeguard cover all matter.
Bude Beaches
Visitors also commonly research beaches around Bude, including Summerleaze and Crooklets. Each beach has its own access, parking, tide, and safety considerations.
If you are new to surfing or bodyboarding, look for current local surf schools, lifeguard information, and beach safety notices before going in the water.
Surf Trip Checklist
Before heading out, check:
- tide times
- wind direction
- swell size
- beach safety flags
- seasonal lifeguard cover
- local restrictions
- parking availability
- whether lessons need to be booked
- water temperature and wetsuit needs
Do not use archived campsite pages for current beach safety decisions.
Beginner Tips
Beginners should avoid going out alone, especially in unfamiliar water. A lesson can be worth it even for confident swimmers because surf safety is different from pool swimming.
Good beginner priorities:
- choose a supervised beach when possible
- stay within your ability
- understand rip currents
- use the right board and wetsuit
- watch local signs
- get out before you get tired
Related Archive Page
For the former Budemeadows campsite background, read:
- https://budemeadows.com/budemeadows-touring-park-history/