The area around Stewarts House is perfect for family holidays. Whether you like lazing on the sandy beaches, surfing, walking or exploring the places of interest, there is plenty to entertain the whole family.

Bude is Cornwall's special unspoilt place "where coast meets countryside". The Bude area offers its visitors a variety of holiday experiences from a relaxing short or weekend break to challenging activity holidays in natural surroundings, family holidays with nearby attractions and adventure parks, and opportunities for walking, cycling, golf and bird watching,

The area has some of the best surfing beaches in the UK and was the site of the first life-saving club. Add a spectacular heritage coastline, designated area of outstanding beauty, unique sea-lock and canal with easy disabled access, a friendly town with mostly locally owned shops, special events and festivals throughout the year, and you have all the ingredients for a great holiday location. 

There are many sandy beaches in the area, including Widemouth Bay, Bude and Crackington Haven. The beaches are family friendly, with plenty of rock pools to entertain the younger children. Bude has some of the best beaches in the country and our special climate means they can be appreciated all year round. The spring tides are the highest in Cornwall and it is strange to think that only a few hours after you have been standing at the sea's edge, that same area will be covered with over 20 feet of water!

At low tide the expanse of clean sand extending along the coast can be the size of 60 football pitches - an awe inspiring sight! Many little rock pools are exposed and the often vertical strata of the "time warped" cliffs seems even more fantastic.

The main beaches have full lifeguard cover during the season but it is unwise to go into the water at low tide when currents can be strong. Always be aware of tide times and watch out for the flags which indicate when and where it is safe to swim or surf, and if you are unsure, for your own safety, please ask.

Visitors to the area can visit the historic harbour villages on Boscastle, Port Isaac and Padstow, famous for it's quality sea-food restaurants.

Walkers will love the rugged coastline at Hartland, Appledore and Instow. A day out in Clovelly is also recommended. Stewarts House is surrounded by unspoilt countryside with many varied and picturesque walks.

There are many gardens in the area including the Eden Project, Lost Gardens of Heligan, RHS Rosemoor and many more. The National Trust also maintains a number of historic sites and houses in the area.

For sporting enthusiasts there are numerous golf courses, fishing and sailing lakes. Cyclists can enjoy the many trails including Sustrans route and the more leisurely Camel and Tarka trails. Also nearby are many adventure and animal parks including Killarney Springs, Brocklands, The Milky Way and The Big Sheep.

Places of interest nearby include:-

BOSCASTLE

Delightfully pretty little fishing village full of character, with a narrow harbour entrance straddled by imposing cliffs. The typically Cornish cottages huddle around the harbour which is sheltered from the storms by massive breakwaters. There are also lovely walks through the Valency Valley. Boscastle is owned by the National Trust and should be on everyone's "must visit" itinerary.

TINTAGEL

The legendary birthplace of St Arthur and the Arthurian Legend and one of the best known places in Cornwall. The dramatic 12th/13th century castle ruins, built by the Earls of Cornwall, sit perched high above the sea with wonderful views over the coastline which has been designated by Europe as a Special Area of Conservation. In recent years the discovery of a 1400 year old inscribed slate tablet, the Arthnou stone, has rekindled interest and speculation about Tintagel's mysterious past. The famous Old Post Office and King Arthurs Halls are well worth a visit too.

ST NECTANS GLEN

Sited nearby Tintagel is this beautiful hidden valley which is only accessible on foot. The unique 60ft waterfall at the head of the idyllic wooded valley has been described as amongst the ten most important spiritual sites in the country. The Kieve has been a place of reverence, worship and healing since pre-Christian times. People of many faiths have walked the ancient route to the waterfall to bathe in its mysterious and therapeutic atmosphere and powers.

DELABOLE

The village boasts the largest man-made hole in the country, the Delabole Slate Quarry, which has been producing quality slate for over 600 years. More recently the site of the Gaia Energy Centre where you can discover the past, present and future of renewable energy, which is built on what was the very first commercial wind farm in the country.

COOMBE VALLEY

A delightful wooded spot four miles north of Bude. There was once a busy village here based around the wood and corn mill. The Coombe Valley Nature Trails commence at the picnic site and car park. There are a number of paths, some of which provide easy walking for young children, prams and adults of all ages.

CLOVELLY

The totally delightful village of Clovelly is privately owned, the cobbled streets are closed to traffic and tumble down towards the 4th century harbour. There is a large car park, but pedestrians can walk down "Hobby Drive", which meanders through beautiful woods which are a riot of wild flowers in the early spring and summer. There are dramatic views of the sea and coastline and of the village and harbour. A small charge is made to assist in the maintenance of the village and for the provision of all facilities which include an audio visual theatre. Especially worth a visit are the Fisherman's Cottage and Kingsley Exhibition.

LUNDY ISLAND

Lundy is a remote, tranquil island 3 miles long and half a mile wide lying some 11 miles of the north Devon coast. It is a place of outstanding natural beauty with skies full of birds, seas teaming with friendly grey seals, basking sharks and a wealth or marine flora and fauna. It was the country's first Marine Nature Reserve and the whole island is an activity centre for climbing, diving, fishing, birdwatching and walking. The island only really became acceptable a couple of centuries ago even gaining a church, but it has a rich history of pirates, smugglers and convicts. Lundy even has its own beer and stamps. All year round sailings of the MS Oldenburg make this wonderful island accessible and tickets can be purchased from Bude Visitor Centre for sailings from Bideford. On clear days Lundy Island is visible from many places along the coast including Widemouth Bay.

For more information and suggestions please click here to visit the Bude Tourist Information official website. 

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