Walk - Bude to Crackington Haven

9.8 miles (15.8 km)

Bude Crackington Haven

Challenging - Strenuous

An easy start on the grassy cliff path along the back of the beaches from Bude to Widemouth Bay should not mislead you into imagining the whole day will be like this. The Path soon proves challenging as it becomes rough and narrow in places and plunges into steep valleys, including Scrade which is one of the deepest and steepest valleys on the Cornwall section of the Coast Path. This walk provides you with wide, open views of the Atlantic from high cliff top paths where you are always conscious of the force of the sea and winds due to the uneven ground and crumbling cliffs below you.

There are a range of wonderful places to lay your head near the Coast Path for a well-earned sleep. From large and luxurious hotels, to small and personable B&B's, as well as self-catering options and campsites. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Widemouth Bay Caravan Park

Set in 50 acres of grounds in peaceful countryside with the famous Widemouth Bay within walking distance. A lively park, great for children with entertainment and an indoor pool. Self-catering & camping available.

Beach House B&B and Break Bar

Sat on Widemouth Bay with private access to golden sands, our B&B has a restaurant, bar, garden and family rooms. Listed in The Times top 20 beachside bars.

Efford Down Campsite

Basic hillside camping right in the heart of Bude. Close to SWCP, cafes, pubs, beaches and shops.

Canalside Bude

2 Bed, 2 Bath self catering apartment overlooking Bude's gorgeous canal. Walking distance from South West Coast Path, Pubs and Restaurants. Private Garden with BBQ.

Trevigue Farm

16th century farm on the cliffs of North Cornwall between Crackington Haven and Boscastle

Sea Jade Guest House

Sea Jade has 7 en-suite rooms. Single night stays welcome. Happy to help with travel arrangements.Come as a guest,leave as a friend.

Stones Throw Apartment

Contemporary self-contained apartment just 500m walk to beach and 10 mins from town centre.

The Tree Inn

The Tree Inn is a charming former Manor House dating back to the C13th. We offer 6 comfortable rooms, 2 bars, restaurant a flower filled courtyard.

You'll be spoilt for choice for where to eat and drink along the Path. With lots of local seasonal food on offer, fresh from the farm, field and waters. Try our local ales, ciders, wines and spirits, increasing in variety by the year, as you sit in a cosy pub, fine dining restaurant or chilled café on the beach. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Brendon Arms

Bude's best known inn, owned and run by the Brendon family since 1872.Overlooking Bude's inner harbour and 200 yards from the unique sea-lock and Summerleazes Beach.
What is on your list of things to do when you visit the Path? From walking companies, to help you tailor your visit, with itineraries and experts to enhance your visit, to baggage transfer companies and visitor attractions there are lots to people and places to help you decide what you'd like to do. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Bayside Taxis

Family run friendly reliable taxi service 8-seater mini bus and car (dogs welcome) covering North Cornwall coast path

Bude Tourist Information Centre

Modern TIC, open 360 days of the year. Large resource of books, maps, guides, and local information. Free and comprehensive accommodation booking service/

Friends of Bude Sea Pool

FOBSP charity set up 10 years ago to save and enhance BSP. The SWCP goes along our perimeter path so people can enjoy a swim along the way too.

Trev's Taxi

A local taxi service based in Bude in the beautiful county of Cornwall. Providing an efficient service around Bude and surrounding areas. Particularly convenient for visitors walking the Coast Path.

Interactive Elevation

Highlights

  • The 1830’s octagonal Storm Tower on Compass Point, also known as the Tower of the Winds, was rebuilt in the 1880’s matching the Temple of the Winds in Athens.
  • Watching the surfers from Efford Beacon. On a clear day it is even possible to see some of the inland tors of Dartmoor.
  • Spotting grey seals from the magnificent cliffs at Phillip’s Point Nature Reserve, with views north to Hartland Point and south to Widemouth Bay. Sea campion and pink thrift grow in abundance here.
  • Searching for marine wildlife in the many rockpools of Widemouth Bay.
  • The folded, contorted strata of Millook Cliffs are of national importance. They can be appreciated better from the beach below.
  • Spotting the many butterflies in the steep stream valleys. The local name for Chipman Valley is actually Butterfly Valley due to the many red admirals, pearl-bordered fritillaries, ringlets and meadow browns found here.
  • Looking down on Dizzard Wood’s sessile oak trees which are stunted by the force of the Atlantic winds. This stretch of coastal woodland is of international biological importance for the many rare lichens and mosses which enjoy the exceptionally clean air of the North Cornwall coast. Dizzard Wood is actually said to be a remnant from the prehistoric wood that once covered the entire country.
  • Tremendous views from Castle Point.
  • The many waterfalls, including the final one at Aller Shoot.
  • The fantastic views from Pencannow Point to Hartland Point, Tintagel and out to Lundy Island. In the summer, the valley below becomes ablaze with colour from masses of heathers and gorse.
  • Resting on the beach and looking at the extraordinary geology and rich coastal heathland around the enclosed bay of Crackington Haven.

Shorter option

There are plenty of buses running between Bude and Widemouth Bay, so you could walk out to the Bay and bus back or vice versa.

Longer option

Continue on to Boscastle (an additional 6.7 miles, 10.8 km).

Public transport

There are a couple of good bus services running between Exeter (which has a mainline train station) and Bude. The Western Greyhound 595 bus service runs every 2 hours between Bude and Crackington Haven. For details visit Traveline or phone 0870 6082608.

Parking

Bude (Postcode for Sat Navs: EX23 8LG), Widemouth Bay, just inland of Lower Longbeak and Crackington Haven.

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