Author: Paula Woodward

The height of summer is still a little way off, but as the days are getting longer and weather is getting warmer, there’s a real sense of Spring in the air. Whilst the pathways are quiet and the temperature is mild, enjoy some of the fantastic rambling routes in and around Bude that we’d suggest.

Bude to Marsland Mouth – 10 miles

Beginning at the Tourist Information Centre in Bude, follow the canal towards the sea and pick up the cliff-top path. Walkers will pass Bude Sea Pool and Sandymouth Beach to find one of the most remote areas of coast in Cornwall.

Maer Cliff – 2.1 miles

For views of two sandy beaches and an easy going footpath, an amble along Maer Down is ideal. Beginning at Northcott Mouth and finishing in Crooklets Beach, this walk is only around a mile long, perfect for visitors looking to quickly blow away the cobwebs. The nearby nature reserve is recognised internationally as a resting and feeding site for migratory birds that are blown by strong Atlantic gales, and the cliffs remain of geological importance. Although the path is exposed to occasionally harsh weather, the cliff remains laden with wild flowers. Northcott Mouth and Crooklets Beach are renowned for rock pooling, and whilst Crooklets has a seasonal ban on dogs, Northcott welcomes them all year round.

Bude Canal – 5.6 miles

As an alternative to a coastal path, Bude Canal offers a peaceful landscape with plenty of wildlife. The walk is predominately flat, with a low hill between the canal and coast path, ideal for children or wheelchair users. The path is bustling with pipits and buntings in the autumn, who are searching for pickings in the newly-harvested fields found alongside the canal. Bring a picnic and watch the kayaks and boats glide past in a picturesque setting.

Duckpool & Woodford – 5.1 miles

The walk along Duckpool Beach and the coastal path is known for its wildlife and small, but well-known, beach. The circular walk is around five miles and although the tide is too dangerous for swimming at any time of the year, the beach is a uncrowded hidden gem, which almost completely disappears at high tide. 

Bude Town Trail – 4 miles

With a beautiful coastline, it is easy to forget that Bude’s town trail is full of culture, history and beautiful views. When walking along Summerleaze Crescent and heading inland, walkers will come across pit stops such as the Clifton Memorial Stone and Bude Marshes Local Nature Reserve. 

Hawker’s Hut walk – 1 mile

This is a gentle walk on the cliffs of North Cornwall which encompass an array of breathtaking views. Walkers will come across historical landmarks, such as a beautiful church which is believed to date back to Saxon times, as well as Hawker’s Hut, the refuge of poet Reverend Robert Hawker. There is plenty of local wildlife and on a clearer day visitors can see Lundy Island.

Dunsdon to Vealand Farm Wild Walk – 4 miles

This child and dog friendly walk is around four miles and three hours long. Explore the grassland meadows and wander along the waterway before finding the Vealand Farm nature reserve, full of ponds, hedges and meadows.

Images courtesy of Adam Gibbard and Visit Cornwall.

The widely anticipated second series of popular British television drama Poldark returns to BBC1 on the 4th of September which means that once again the beautiful Cornish coastline will be making a regular appearance on screens across the UK. The plot is based on the acclaimed novels written by Winston Graham, and is set in various rugged locations around Cornwall. The final episode of series 1 left audiences in suspense after Ross Poldark is arrested for murder and wrecking, leaving his beloved Demelza distraught. To prepare viewers for the second series, we have picked out some of the filming locations around Cornwall which featured in the drama, for visitors to explore.

Bodmin Moor

Bodmin Moor was largely featured in the first series of Poldark and the cast and crew became very familiar with the 200 square kilometres of grassland and heather. It was the perfect backdrop for many scenes, including capturing cast members on horseback. The passion and family dramatics that Poldark is famous for are replicated within Bodmin Moor’s rugged views and stormy landscape. This was also where a number of the miners’ cottages were based along with Ross Poldark’s house, Nampara.

Port Quin

Port Quin, located just past Port Isaac was also featured in the TV series. The peaceful area that remains unscathed by visiting boats is ideal for conjuring up images of past settings and scenery.

Charlestown

The traditional appearance and collection of ships caught the eye of locations managers for Poldark and for some scenes it was used as the principal town. The original grade two listed harbour featuring plenty of tall ships allows visitors to be transported back to the 18th century, into Graham Winston’s setting.

Padstow area

The North Cornwall coast line was used for plenty of cliff scenes, and a lot of regular visitors will recognise the Camel Estuary and Tregirls beach. The wide, sandy beach of Porthcothan was also used in series one along with the headland at Stepper Point, which was used for some of the more dramatic cliff scenes, including horse drawn carriages filmed soaring across cliff tops.

Truro

Although Corsham in Wiltshire was Truro’s double for filming purposes, the Cornish city Truro was the author’s original inspiration for the story of Poldark. Therefore it only seemed apt to use the location for the world premiere of the series. Locals, producers, writers and headline cast members joined together for the first exclusive viewing of the first episode and claimed their first reviews, which were full of praise.

Images courtesy of Adam Gibbard and Visit Cornwall.

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 sea pool relies on management from the Friends of Bude Sea Pool (FoBSP), a local volunteer-run charity set up to maintain the sea pool and maintain it’s landmark status in Bude.

We spoke to Fay Hargreaves, a member of the Friends of Bude Sea Pool, to learn more about this fantastic facility.

How and why was the Friends of Bude Sea Pool charity created?

FoBSP was created due to the reaction from the public – both locals and visitors – to Cornwall Council’s withdrawal of funding for Bude Sea Pool. The council were going to demolish it due to ongoing maintenance costs.

The tide bashes the pool twice daily therefore the fabric of the pool is compromised. Coupled with the lack of investment over preceding years this meant a lot of money was needed to bring it back to life, and safety standards.

How do Friends of Bude Sea Pool make a difference?

FoBSP are a small committee supported by a larger group of volunteers who are passionate about Bude Sea Pool.

Bude relies on tourism for its economy and therefore the businesses are very supportive. FoBSP raise funds via advertising businesses, membership, beach hut rentals, deckchair rentals, events, merchandise sales, donations and grants.

We raise the profile of Bude Sea Pool via social media interaction, and proactively highlighting the profile of Bude as a holiday destination. The funds are all used to bring the pool up to date with maintenance to ensure the safety standards are met as best possible practice.

Funds also encourage local engagement, for example, starting a water polo club with a grant from Sport England.

What makes Bude Sea Pool an important feature on Summerleaze Beach?

Summerleaze Beach is the first beach visitors go to when entering Bude, it is safe swimming on the North Atlantic coast, making it very family friendly. It is also used for training.

Bude Surf Life Saving Club use the pool for nippers training, and surf schools use it for beginner surf lessons sometimes when the sea is too rough.

Who uses Bude Sea Pool?

Many locals and visitors use the natural pool instead of swimming in the sea or chlorinated water of leisure pools. The canoe club uses it sometimes, and schools use the pool for lessons.

Why is it important to maintain Bude Sea Pool?

It is vital to retain Bude Sea Pool as a free amenity, for safe swimming in an otherwise hazardous area, with large sea swells and many rescues, especially in the summer months.

Visitors to Bude use the pool and Bude relies on tourism for it’s economy. Historically Bude Sea Pool was built in 1930 to save lives; this heritage is continued today and we hope it will continue for many generations to come.

How does seawater quality or pollution affect Bude Sea Pool?

The run off from the valleys when it rains a lot comes down the river in to the sea, this in turn washes into the pool twice daily. Equally it is safe to swim most of the time.

The only times the pool is closed is when the sea is polluted by South West Water and we are notified from doing sampling. Mostly the water is fresh and clean and a wonderful place to swim or play.

For more information on the pool and how to find it, go to Friends of Bude Sea Pool.

Images courtesy of Symages Photography, Visit Cornwall and Adam Gibbard.