Weekend away
Bude Hideaways, Cornwall
GO & STAY
Situated between two nature reserves and set within a seven-acre smallholding, Bude Hideaways is a short drive from Bude’s many beaches. But, as the name suggests, it is indeed hidden away in countryside buzzing with wildlife and reached only by lanes.
Karen and Conrad Allen moved here with their family ten years ago. After searching for several months, they found a farmhouse in desperate need of repair with a couple of barns ripe for conversion.
We arrived to a warm greeting from Conrad who showed us round The Cob – our light, contemporary ‘barn’. We unpacked, then settled into the comfortable snug to read, wood-burner gently crackling away, while our daughter napped. A great deal of our weekend was spent in the double-height open-plan kitchen and dining room – a wonderful space to cook and enjoy meals.
The rest of the barn is set over two floors and offers everything you could possibly need: underfloor heating, sumptuous linen, REN toiletries, a well-stocked kitchen, stacks of mags, games and DVDs… Outside
SEE & DO
were beautifully designed gardens and a small woodland. Guests are encouraged to collect eggs from the free-range chickens, so we happily obliged. On our first day, we drove to Summerleaze beach, one of Bude’s main beaches, to find a stretch of golden sand and a line of candy-coloured beach huts. We walked the water’s edge and built sandcastles. The tidal Bude Sea Pool is a great spot for a gentle swim, or the more adventurous can hit the waves with a surf lesson.
The next morning we headed south to Boscastle, recovered and rebuilt after a devastating flash flood in 2004. The village is set deep in a valley, so we parked at the top and walked down towards the sea. We explored the tea shops and crossed the bridge before following the coast path up and along the cliff edge to a bench for a picnic with wild sea views.
After lunch we made our way back up the headland, stopping first at Crackington Haven, with its soaring, craggy cliffs. We sat on the pebble beach and took in the dramatic views. The tide was high during our visit,
but at low tide, it offers great rock-pooling. If you’re peckish, the Coombe Barton Inn serves good food.
We drove back along the coast road to Northcott Mouth, a rocky cove managed by the National Trust. It’s more secluded than the main beaches so it’s great for families. At low tide, we walked along the shore to discover a sunken steamship emerging from the sand.
The next day, on our way home, we visited Clovelly, just across the border in Devon. Making our way down the steep, cobbled street (no cars allowed), passing tiny cottages, we reached the traditional harbour to find a film crew wrapping up a period-drama shoot. Well worth the journey down (and back up!).
EAT & DRINK
Bude is well served with restaurants and cafes. We feasted on fish and chips, and River Exe mussels in a lime, chilli and ginger broth, at family-friendly The Deck, above Summerleaze. Then we wandered over the dunes, which were bathed in golden-hour sunlight.
In the morning we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at The Cob (a hamper was provided), tucking into local bacon, their chickens’ eggs and coffee made on the stove.
On our way into Boscastle, we stopped at the farm shop for picnic supplies – locally produced fruit and veg, pies, salads, fresh bread and sweet treats. At lunchtime we added a sea view and it was heaven.
Bude Hideaways is bookable through i-escape at i-escape.com/bude-hideaways