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Bude
Image by Matt Jessop - supplied by Visit Cornwall
Bude is Cornwall's most northern town and has been a popular seaside resort from Victorian times. In the l9th Century, the town was notorious for wreckers who plundered ship wrecked off the coast - over 80 vessels in the fifty year up to 1874.
Present-day Bude is a pleasant small town with character. It has two beaches with excellent broad sands close to the town itself, and is a good centre for adjacent beaches. Its sea front faces west and the Atlantic rollers make for good surfing when conditions are right. The main access road in and out of Bude is the Atlantic Highway (A39)
Notable buildings include the Perpendicular parish church (St Olaf's) in the village of Poughill just outside of Bude, the parish church of St Michael and All Angels (built in 1835 and enlarged in 1876; the architect was George Wightwick), Ebbingford Manor, and the town's oldest house, Quay Cottage in the centre of town. Bude Castle was built about 1830 for Victorian inventor Sir Goldsworthy Gurney and is now a heritage centre.
Upcoming Events
Literary Festival - Thursday 16 May 2024 to Sunday 19 May 2024
Bude Literary Festival
This year’s festival is running from Thursday 16th – Sunday 19th May 2024 with an additional Schools Programme running from Monday 13th through to Friday 17th May 2024.
We’re currently getting excited with the diverse and cultural range that will be joining us in this year’s programme with over 70 exciting events this year. We currently have a fantastic Schools Programme, where local businesses have supported a programme of free author workshops in schools to inspire and encourage hundreds of young people. This year sees a range of authors, poets, directors, podcasters and a chef providing in-school workshops. Find out more on the dedicated pages.
This year’s festival would not be possible without the support and organisation of Bude-Stratton Town Council and its dedicated team based at The Castle, our Event Programmer, Richard Wolfenden-Brown, the team at Bude Library, our team of volunteers, our local venue supporters and our local business sponsors.
Bude Literary Festival, presented by Bude-Stratton Town Council, broke box office records with demand for the 123 events, workshops, talks, walks, and competitions at an all-time high in 2023. This year we will see more inspirational authors, both local and national. A range of cultural creative minds that will take us all on a literary adventure and a host of workshops and live music events happening around the town.
There will be activities for families, competitions and a Free Family Fun Day on Sunday 19th May on The Castle lawn to celebrate the Literary Festival being in town once again. We can now announce that the quick glance guide is available to download and tickets are due to go live and on sale, both online and at Bude Library from 1st March.
Click HERE to download the quick glance guide
Various Venues
Cornwall Pride 2024 - Saturday 27 July 2024
Celebrate Pride in Cornwall
Free to attend - Live entertainment - Family friendly - Foof and drink vendors - Quiet space provided
Bude Pride - July 27
The Castle Green 11am - 6pm
Cornwall Pride (Truro) - August 31
Lemon Quay 10am - 7pm
Saltash Pride - September 14
Jubilee Green 11am - 5pm
St Ives Pride - October 05
Island Centre 11am - 4pm
Jazz Festival - Tuesday 27 August 2024 to Friday 30 August 2024
Bude Jazz Festival
The Bude Jazz Festival has been going for 34 years and is one of the best known Jazz Festivals in the UK.
It is held in the small and unspoilt seaside town on Cornwall’s beautiful Atlantic Coast which now hosts one of Britain’s leading jazz festivals.
The music on offer ranges from blues and ragtime to mainstream and bop with an especially rich choice of old-style New Orleans and classic jazz. Alongside Britain’s finest jazz musicians are featured quality acts from overseas with many more new young musicians from the international scene.
There are some half a dozen indoor venues, all within easy walking distance of each other. These venues include pubs, hotels, halls and clubs with comfortable and informal surroundings that help to create Bude Jazz Festival’s friendly and relaxed atmosphere. There is also a parade and outdoor busking around the town.
Various Locations
