Bude is a well-liked seaside hub, with several top-quality sandy beaches, a wide range of independent shops and a number of well-regarded surf schools that will help you take your first steps on the board. Other top leisure options include golf clubs with sea views, offshore fishing charter trips and, if you really want to slow the pace down, beach hut rental, which is available by the day.

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For days out of town, simply set out north from the site, taking the South West Coast Path into the gorgeous Hartland Heritage Coast area (about a mile from base). Walk the 45 minutes across the cliff tops to Sandymouth Bay, or pack a picnic and press on to Duckpool beach (an hour and 20 minutes on foot), a remote mix of sand and shingle that's bound to be even quieter. 

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Being in such a central location opens up explores further afield as well: other north Cornwall gems like Boscastle (30 minutes) and Tintagel (40 minutes) if you want to head west, while Devon sights like Clovelly (30 minutes) and Bideford (40 minutes) lie in wait to the east and north.