Vinegar Cove

The walk down to Vinegar Cove rewards you with a proper sheltered beach that feels genuinely tucked away, despite being just outside Bude. It's a small affair - don't expect sprawling golden sand - but that's precisely what makes it special. The cove itself is backed by dramatic cliffs, and at low tide you get decent beach space for a paddle or a sit-down with a coffee from a flask.

It's the kind of place that draws walkers and families after they've done the more famous Bude beaches. The approach involves a bit of scrambling down the path, which keeps the crowds manageable. On a decent day, the light hits the water brilliantly, and you can see why people bother making the trip. Storm watching here is excellent if you're the type to stand about in dramatic weather.

You won't find facilities or vendors at the cove itself - come prepared. Allow an hour for the walk down and back, longer if you're stopping to properly explore the rocks. It's free, naturally, being a beach. The real value comes if you're based at Wooda Farm Holiday Park up the road - it's barely a twenty-minute walk, making this an easy morning's venture. Atlantic Surf Pods is similarly close if you're after something a bit different from the main Bude seafront, though the water here isn't particularly special for surfing. Worth the detour if you're in the area for a week, less so if you're just passing through.