CHRISTMAS and new year IN bude
WITH BIG SKIES, CRASHING WAVES AND GREAT FOOD, CORNWALL MAKES THE PERFECT BACKDROP TO A FAMILY CHRISTMAS. A CHANGE OF SCENERY HELPS EVERYONE BREAK FROM THEIR ROUTINES AND LIVE IN THE MOMENT, NO MORE SO THAN IN BUDE, WHERE THERE IS PLENTY GOING ON, ALL YEAR ROUND.
@ Kieran Hammond Photography
Is there anything more exciting than setting off for a Christmas break?
Cosy outfits & wellies packed, presents wrapped and tucked away, board games and jigsaws piled up, with some carefully selected bottles clinking in the boot.
Christmas is never just about December 25th though. The lead-up and even afterwards into New Year should be grabbed with both mittens as the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with those you love and embrace the season. Something we really love about Bude is that whilst some Cornish spots go to sleep for the Winter, Bude remains alive throughout the year with plenty of events and places to eat, drink and shop, for both locals and visitors alike.
So, here’s our insider’s guide to the holidays in Bude.
SHOPPING AND PROVISIONS
If you’ve not managed to get everything done from your list, then not to worry. Bude has a great selection of independent shops to cover all bases from the cheeseboard to stocking fillers. Here are a few of our favourites!
Spencer Thorn
A gem of a bookshop with a great selection to cover all ages and interest, with a carefully curated collection of Cornish books, toys and adorable Jellycat soft toys.
Belle Vue, Bude EX23 8JS
Zuma Jay Surf Shop
Run by surfers, for surfers, but super friendly and welcoming to novices too, with everything from boards, wetsuits, accessories plus great quality clothing and gifts.
Belle Vue Lane, Bude EX23 8BR
Rooted Ocean
A real insider secret, Rooted Ocean make sustainable bags, blankets, clothing and other outdoor gear in their workshop in the heart of Bude.
Belle Vue Lane, Bude EX23 8BR
North Coast Wine Lounge
North Coast manages to be both a great wine merchants, full of carefully curated and sensibly priced bottles, and a great coffee & wine bar. A great place for a pit stop, their cheese and charcuterie platters are the perfect accompaniment to a good glass of red wine.
Lansdown Rd, Bude EX23 8BH
Lansdown Dairy
Whilst it may look modest from the outside, this family run grocery store is an Aladdin’s cave, stuffed to the gills with local produce, including well-stocked cheese and deli counters.
Lansdown Rd, Bude EX23 8BH
Lansdown Bakery
No relation to the deli (we think), this unassuming little bakery is another gem, having been in its current location for nearly 200 years. Brilliant for pasties, traditional bread and artfully iced biscuits.
Lansdown Rd, Bude EX23 8BH
Moores Butchers
The quintessential English high-street butcher, packed full of high-quality local produce. Not the cheapest but you can really taste the difference.
Queen St, Bude EX23 8BB
Bellinis Deli Kitchen
Small but exquisite, full of tasty treats including wine, cheese, chocolate and coffee, much of which is local. They’ll happily make hampers from your selections for the perfect foodie gift.
Queen St, Bude EX23 8BB
Toymaster
Forgotten someone’s present or need some extra stocking fillers? Never fear, this family-run gem is stuffed to the rafters with something for everyone – adults included.
Queen St, Bude EX23 8BB
The Wharf
Although the farmers and craft market is on pause for the winter, the Wharf remains home to a number of small businesses making great gifts, including stained glass, woodcraft and kitchenware, as well as the lovely Olive Shed restaurant and Lock Gates Cafe.
Lower Wharf, Bude EX23 8LG
And if all that wasn’t enough, there are plenty more independent shops, plus high-street staples like WH Smith, Boots, Sainsburys, Coop, Saltrock and Fat Face.
Things to do
The Christmas Day Dip
Wednesday 25th December
For many, the highlight of season, held in aid of Bude Surf Life Saving Club. Twinned Sydney’s Bondi beach, hundreds turn out to blow the Christmas cobwebs away. Head for Crooklets Beach at 11am, dressed in your dry robe/dressing gown/slippers and ‘slouchies’, wait for the claxon and run! Exactly what it says on the tin, this isn’t a swim, it’s a dip in and get out situation and be warned, wetsuits are frowned upon! For more information look up Visit Bude’s page.
Bude's Christmas Fayre
Sunday 1st December
Who doesn’t love a Christmas Market! Carols singing in the background, woolly hats everywhere with food, gifts, artwork and lots more available to buy from local small businesses. This event is even putting on free children’s crafts & activities, live music, Santa’s Grotto and a magic show, spread across two venues.
FREE festive workshops at The Castle
Wednesday 11th and Monday 16th December
A fun event for children to design and decorate a house, which will become part of the Winter Village display at The Castle’s festive light show on December 18th (see below).
Great fun for children of any age, all materials are provided but be warned, things could get a little messy!
Glow in the Castle
Wednesday 18th December
Built in 1830 on the edge of the river, the Castle is Bude’s museum and heritage centre, often hosting fun events. Glow in the Castle will see it lit up and decorated, with live music, drinks, cakes, Santa’s Grotto and a Winter Village made by the children of Bude.
Walk Along the Cliffs to Northcott Mouth
Any time
If you feel you’ve eaten a few mince pies too many, nothing blows away the cobwebs like a bracing walk along the cliff top to the unspoilt pebbles of Northcott Mouth beach. If you’re lucky, the delightful Sip+Sea café might be open, but otherwise take a thermos, or save yourselves for Rosie’s Kitchen back at Crooklets Beach where the milkshakes and hot chocolates should prove ample reward.
Eat and drink at the Falcon Hotel
If you’d like to leave the cooking to someone else for a night or too, the Falcon Hotel is a very safe pair of hands indeed. Built in 1798 and grandly overlooking Bude Canal, it’s the oldest coaching hotel in North Cornwall, with a solid reputation for great food and hospitality.
Take a look at their website to see what’s on as there’s often a band or a special event. We’re big fans of their Sunday lunches, so we’re sure their Christmas menu will be a delight, whilst their New Years’s Eve parties are a firm fixture on the local social calendar.
Christmas Illuminations at Clovelly
November: 16th, 17th & 30th, December: 1st, 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th & 15th
A short drive north into Devon is the unique village of Clovelly, picturesque, privately-owned fishing village, steeped in maritime atmosphere and history.
A must-visit at any time of year, Clovelly is lit from top to bottom in the run-up to Christmas, especially the beautiful gardens. A great way to spend an evening with the family and get in the festive spirit — look up their events here!
There’s plenty more going on, so if you need more inspiration, take a look at Visit Bude
We’ll be sharing the events and places we visit but we’d love to see what you get up to too - tag us in any photos you post on Instagram and Facebook: @thepinkhousebude
