Maer Cliff, Bude
The popularity of Bude as a seaside resort dates from Victorian times. In the 19th Century it was notorious for its wreckers, who plundered the ships that came to grief off the coast - more than 80 between 1824 and 1874.
In 1823 the Bude Canal was dug to carry beach sand - used as a fertiliser - 20 miles inland to Launceston and for exporting local produce. It was this waterway that brought development to the town. The canal is now used for pleasure-boating and fishing.
The town overlooks a wide bay of hard golden sand flanked by spectacular cliffs and protected by a breakwater. There is a seawater swimming pool under Summerleaze Downs which means safety for swimmers even at low tide. Crooklets and Summerleaze beaches have extensive flat sands when the tide is out and these Atlantic-pounded beaches have been described by Australian surfers as the "Bondi of Britain."
Maer Cliff, Bude
The popularity of Bude as a seaside resort dates from Victorian times. In the 19th Century it was notorious for its wreckers, who plundered the ships that came to grief off the coast - more than 80 between 1824 and 1874.
In 1823 the Bude Canal was dug to carry beach sand - used as a fertiliser - 20 miles inland to Launceston and for exporting local produce. It was this waterway that brought development to the town. The canal is now used for pleasure-boating and fishing.
The town overlooks a wide bay of hard golden sand flanked by spectacular cliffs and protected by a breakwater. There is a seawater swimming pool under Summerleaze Downs which means safety for swimmers even at low tide. Crooklets and Summerleaze beaches have extensive flat sands when the tide is out and these Atlantic-pounded beaches have been described by Australian surfers as the "Bondi of Britain."