The are lots of benefits to holidaying in the UK and visiting places like Cornwall, such as the beautiful beaches and range of outdoor activities, but when our guests book one of our Bude cottages, we often get asked the question ‘what is there to do when it rains?’. We have rounded up a list of the most interesting things to do in and around Bude on a rainy day for families. If it isn’t raining during your stay (we hope not) then please read through our blogs on our top 5 picks of things to see and do in Cornwall and Devon, which are mainly outdoor based.
Spend the day at the beach in a Bude beach hut
This may surprise you but a wet day at the beach can still be a really fun day when you spend it in a beach hut. Hiring out one of the iconic beach huts gives you and your family some shelter and privacy to enjoy the stunning views of Bude’s beaches. There are beach huts on both Crooklets and Summerleaze beaches and the great thing is that most huts are available to hire for a set price, rather than per person, so they could be a really affordable and fun rainy day out.
Spend time in the water
The joy of being in the sea is that you may not even notice that it’s raining, which is the reason why no matter what the weather you will always find surfers and body boarders in the sea. There are plenty of local shops in Bude that hire out wetsuits and surfing or bodyboarding gear, so you will still have a great opportunity to improve your surfing skills in some of the best surfing conditions in the country! And if you are new to surfing why not have some surfing lessons?
Bude’s beaches are west facing, so you will find consistent waves here, ideal for surfing. Wondering which beach to go to? We have listed what each one has to offer below:
- Crooklets beach is perfect for experienced surfers, with rideable waves all along the beach
- Summerleaze beach offers great surfing conditions for beginners and there are plenty of surf schools nearby
- Widemouth Bay is known for having the best waves, attracting experienced surfers at high tide and beginners at other times, as the waves often break more gently here.
If you don’t quite fancy surfing, but still like the idea of being in the water, Bude Sea Pool at Summerleaze beach is a family-friendly attraction that is completely free to use! It’s a semi-natural tidal pool, where the sea fills it up twice a day and it’s open all year round. Depending on the time of year the sea water can feel very cold, so you may want to wear a wetsuit. If you love swimming but want to be inside while it’s raining, or you fancy warming up after your swim in the Bude Sea Pool, then we have a heated pool on site at our luxury Bude cottages.
If you and your family enjoy arts and crafts then a visit to The Kitchen Front Studio is a must on a rainy day! Situated on the Bude Canal and just 10 minutes away from our Bude cottages, The Kitchen Front is a kitchen shop with crockery and utensils themed around the 1940’s and 1950’s era. But the really fun part is they host creative workshops, where you can make something for your own home or to give as a gift. They provide homemade cakes and tea during the workshops and offer special rates for children! If you don’t want to make something yourself, The Kitchen Front’s owner, Clair Roberts can create personalised gifts for you to take home.
If you plan your trip in advance you could be lucky enough to experience the 1940’s Pop-Up Victory Tea Room, which is open on more popular days during the season and on holidays and commemorative weekends. The building is turned into a traditional 1940’s tearoom, with music of the era playing and the staff dress up in period costumes, serving a tasty WWII ration-inspired menu such as home-made cakes, speciality loose leaf tea and artisan coffee in china cups. These events could be a really special, cosy family day out when it’s raining, as the tea room seats just 16 people.
At the centre of Bude, and only a 10 minute drive from our family-friendly Bude cottages is Bude Castle and Heritage Centre. Entry is free for everyone and it’s fully accessible for wheelchair and pram users. There is plenty inside to enjoy! Learn all the interesting facts about Bude inside the museum, from shipwrecks in the Middle Ages, the town’s involvement in the Civil War, smuggling, preparations for D-Day and Bude’s appeal as a tourist destination. Also inside the castle you will find an art gallery with ever changing exhibitions and there are plenty of 2019 events planned. There is also Café Limelight offering ‘the best café views in Bude’, serving light snacks and freshly ground coffee, all at reasonable prices and they can also cater for some dietary requirements.
Rebel Cinema is a family-run, small, traditional and independent cinema. Although the setting offers traditional surrounds, the cinema shows the latest films. Rebel Cinema benefits from two screens, with the latest digital 3D projection and surround sound systems as well as super comfy seating to deliver a unique cinematic experience. There’s also a wide range of warm and cold snacks and drinks available from the front desk. Click here to see the current film listings and times at the Rebel cinema. If you would prefer to watch a film in the comfort of your Bude holiday cottage on a rainy day, then we have a wide selection of DVD’s for our guests to borrow.
Cornwall is well known for its good weather compared to the rest of the UK, but we think it’s good to know that there are alternatives to keep the whole family entertained in case a rainy day does occur on your trip to Bude.
There are also plenty of indoor activities for our guests on site at our Bude cottages, including the 24h games room, puzzles and board games that can be taken to your holiday cottage or you could visit us in the cellar bar for a local beverage. To find out all about our facilities please click here, or browse through our lovely warm, luxury Bude cottages.