If you consider sunbathing a bore and you want more out of your holiday, Bude offers a wealth of great activities to keep you active during your stay. Our great coastal location means that we can take advantage of the outdoors, with the rugged north Cornwall coastline and beautiful countryside providing lots to do, with great indoor sporting facilities around the town too.

Whether you’re looking for an alternative way of seeing the sights, or want to continue training as you would at home, we’ve rounded up our favourite ways of keeping active in Bude that’ll make that delicious cream tea even more deserved.

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A round of golf with a view

Book a round at Bude and North Cornwall Golf Club and enjoy the far-reaching sea views and sights of the north Cornish cliffs. The challenging course covers 18 holes and was voted one of Great Britain’s top 100 courses under £100 by National Club Golfer Magazine.

The club hosts a number of events and open competitions throughout the year, inviting both visitors and members of all abilities to enter, and there is a much-anticipated Golf Festival from 14-22 July which will see eight days of golf competitions and games.

Hit the gym

If the weather isn’t playing ball, hit the gym at The W Club which boasts a great selection of facilities, like a state-of-the-art fitness suite and hard tennis courts. If you need a little help or some top-tips for a beach-ready body, there are also highly qualified in-house trainers that can offer a free personalised induction. Once you’re done feeling the burn, hop into one of the plentiful saunas or steam rooms to wind down, or book yourself in for a relaxing massage or treatment.

Race across Tamar Lakes

Lower Tamar Lake was built in 1819 to supply water to Bude Canal, but has since become a hub of activity. Visitors can book kayak, canoe or sailing lessons with an experienced instructor, or hire the watercraft and enjoy the wild surroundings from the water, whilst trying to spot the kingfishers, butterflies, herons and dragonflies that are regularly seen on the water’s edge. There is also a weekly Tamar Lakes park run, taking place every Saturday morning at 9am which follows a pre-planned 5km loop along a mixture of tarmac paths, cinder and grass. The event is free but participants must sign up prior to the run here – http://www.parkrun.org.uk/tamarlakes/.

Go surfing

Summerleaze Beach is right on our doorstep and has some great surf conditions, regularly picking up the consistent Atlantic swell that hits the North Cornish coastline due to its west-facing position. When it’s too windy for most of the other surf spots on this stretch of coastline, Summerleaze Beach can still provide some fun waves, with suitable conditions for both experienced surfers and beginners. The beach is lifeguarded over the summer months, and there are several nearby surf schools offering tuition, including Big Blue Surf School, Bude Surfing Experience, and Raven Surf. If you’d like to try some surf spots a little further a field, we’ve rounded up our recommendations here.

Get on your bike

Cycling is said to be one of the most efficient forms of transport, and will allow you to see the incredible surrounding area. Bude Bike Hire have a range of bikes and equipment available to suit all ages and abilities, whether you’re planning on a leisurely ride along the canal or a challenging route along the winding country roads. They can also help with route planning, offering free, downloadable maps that will ensure you don’t get lost on your cycle, with loops that include the canal, coastal views or rugged farmland and countryside.

Hop on a horse

Broomhill Manor Stables is located on the outskirts of Bude, offering horse riding excursions and lessons for all ages and abilities on well-schooled horses and ponies. Beginners can ride around the grounds and along the quiet local lanes, whilst experienced riders can enjoy galloping along the beach and cliffs on sports horses or shire horses, taking in views of the beautiful Cornish coastline. One-on-one tuition can also be provided for first time riders wanting to learn the fundamentals, or for experienced riders wanting to improve their technique.

Take a walk

We’re in an ideal location for a coastal or canal-side walk, with the 600 mile stretch of the South-West Coast Path on our doorstep and Bude canal only a stone’s throw away. The canal route provides a long, flat walk with beautiful scenery and impressive wildlife, whilst the coastal path is a little more challenging, but still very rewarding with hidden coves and quiet beaches. We’ve rounded up our favourite walks in Bude here, but if you need a little more guidance, there are numerous guided walking tours available throughout the week leaving from the Tourist Information Centre.

Take a dip in Bude Sea Pool

Bude Sea Pool is a partly man-made and partly natural swimming pool tucked beneath the cliff at the northern side of Summerleaze Beach. The sea pool provides a safe haven for swimmers who can enjoy the benefits of wild swimming without having to worry about the dangers of the sea, such as rips, big waves and surfers. The pool stretches 100 metres in length, a great distance for laps, and provides a real sense of being in the sea. The sea pool is also home to a wild water polo club in the summer months and provides the perfect body of water for the swimming section of the Bude Junior Triathlon which takes place in early June.