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UPDATED 13/04/2026
Widemouth Bay, pronounced wid-muth, sits just a couple of miles south of Bude and while it benefits from all the Bude has to offer, is a slightly quieter setting. It is a beachside village dotted with cafes and bars, plus everything you need for a great day at the beach. Surf hire and surf schools are available and there is a very chilled out feeling to this area.
Widemouth Bay is close to the A39, which makes it easy to explore the North Cornwall and Devon coastline. Only a short drive away are the historic villages of Tintagel and Boscastle, steeped in legends and folklore. Padstow is less than an hour’s drive from Widemouth Bay, and is favoured among foodies with many talented chefs serving up fresh local food.
Widemouth Bay sits just off the A39 Atlantic Highway, between Bideford in Devon and Camelford in Cornwall. The easiest way to reach it is by car.
It is only 23 miles from the main A30 via the B3254, or you can reach it by leaving the M5 at Junction 31 Exeter, thereby skirting the north side of the dramatic landscape of Dartmoor as you head towards the A30.
Alternatively, take the M5 to Junction 27 at Tiverton and follow the North Devon Link Road (A361) thereby avoiding Exeter. This way, you arrive via the Atlantic Highway, a special stretch of A39 from Barnstaple to Newquay, bear in mind that it’s a bendy road so it’s slower.
If you’re driving to North Cornwall in a plug-in electric vehicle, see our list of charging locations here.
There are two main car parks at Widemouth Bay, and both are ideally located right next to the two beaches, Widemouth Bay and Black Rock. Both are generous in size, but during high summer the beach car parks can become busy quickly.
Widemouth Bay car park is owned by Cornwall Council and has 560 spaces. From 1 April to 31 October, prices start at £2.70 for up to 1 hour, rising to £5.30 for 1 to 2 hours, £7.70 for 2 to 4 hours and £11.70 for 24 hours. A weekly ticket costs £29.20. In the quieter months, from 1 November to 31 March, prices are lower at £1.50 for up to 1 hour, £2.70 for 1 to 2 hours, £5.70 for 2 to 4 hours and £7.20 for 24 hours, with a weekly ticket at £17.60.
Evening parking is also available at Widemouth Bay. In summer, the evening session from 6pm to midnight costs £2.50, while from midnight to 9am there is no charge. In winter, parking is free from 4pm to 9am.
Black Rock car park is privately owned and is a handy option for the southern end of the bay. Charges can vary, but generally you pay for all day (from £5) but it is best to check the board on arrival.
For those in the know, there are also free viewing point car parks just north of Widemouth Bay, which are extremely popular in summer. From here, the coast path leads you down to the beach and rewards you with some truly spectacular views, although it can be steep in places, so not ideal if you are carrying lots of beach gear.
As ever at Widemouth Bay, arriving early is the best plan on sunny summer days, especially if you want to park right by the beach.
For its size Widemouth Bay has a great selection of eateries, with plenty of options to appease your appetite.
A morning at the beach can build up quite a hunger, so head to Black Rock Cafe for a hearty lunch. With a selection of choice, such as a filling baguette or tasty ploughmans, you’re sure to return to the beach with some newfound energy. Dog owners will be pleased to know your pup is welcome too.
The Bay View is just a few moments from the beach, meaning you can watch the crashing waves as you tuck into some pub classics. There’s plenty of space for family meals, plus it’s dog friendly and there’s a children’s play area. Be sure to wash your meal down with a local ale or Cornish gin
The Beach House is a funky set up, as the unique venue as it has private access to the beach at the bottom of the garden. With a secret hideaway feel, the menu focusses on sea food, naturally, and there’s a street food vibe with an eclectic mix of global cuisines. On a Sunday they do ‘Roast on the Coast’, a real British classic!
Widemouth Manor – on the way to nearby Millook – benefits from a cliff top location, overlooking Widemouth Bay’s dramatic coastline. With daily specials to highlight locally-sourced ingredients, to award-winning Phillip Warren steaks, you’ll find something to tempt you. The adults-only Sunset Drinks lounge, is the perfect date-night spot, and as the name suggests, the sunsets from here are stunning.
With a relaxed surf vibe, overlooking the beach at Widemouth Bay, sits Widemouth Bay Cafe. Open all year round this is a great spot if you want to grab a Farmer Tom’s West Country Ice Cream or relax with a illy coffee. In fact, you may want to start the day here and tuck into a ‘Widdy Big Breakfast’ or one of their organic fruit smoothies.
With two wonderful beaches, Widemouth Bay and Black Rock will have the kids exploring rock pools, building sandcastles and experiencing the beautifully clear water. If they happen to tire from the beach, there’s still plenty to do nearby.
At Black Rock kids can take a spin on a go kart, plus there’s a JCB sand pit for excavating fans.
Head to Bude and take on a leisurely family trip on Bude’s Canal. You can choose from rowing boats with oars or a jolly swan or VW beetle pedalo. Buoyancy aids are provided and you’ll find Bude Boat Hire down at the Wharf. Nearby there’s also Budehaven Recreation Ground with crazy golf, tennis, bowling, putting, squash and table tennis, if you fancy some family competition.
For indoor entertainment The Venue, which is also in Bude has bowling and soft play. Right next door, if you want some indoor swimming, is Bude Leisure Centre, with its 25m pool, plus kids and big kids alike will love the flume and wave machine.
You’d struggle to beat the Widemouth Bay area for an introduction to the beauty of surfing, with great water quality, consistent waves and wide expanse of sand. And there are plenty of local surf schools to help you on your surfing journey.
OA Surf Club is a surfing and coasteering school, with 35 years of experience, the team’s relentless passion and commitment provides an ideal start to surfing.
Local surfing European champion Reubyn Ash also runs a surf school here at Widemouth Bay. Reubyn has over 30 years experience in the water, and is a fully qualified SLSGB Lifeguard and ISA Surf Coach.
With over 15 years experience in taking small groups, families and individuals on surfing lessons in and around Widemouth Bay, Freewave Surf Academy is here to help on surfing, SUP and coasteering.
There are plenty of places locally to hire all the surfing paraphernalia too. Black Rock Cafe Surf Hire has a selection of bodyboards, surfboards and wetsuits to hire.
Head to nearby Bude for your fix of all things creative, with art galleries, craft workshops and more.
When the sun is shining, it is a breath-taking place to spend your day. Try a stretch of coast path walk along dramatically eroded cliffs (be careful to stick to the paths and keep dogs on leads), play on the sandy flat beach at low tide, and check for wildlife among the plethora of rock pools in the rockier parts of the shoreline. There is something for every beach-lover.
Both Widemouth Bay and Black Rock are lifeguarded during high season, the sea is of excellent water quality, perfect for water sports but equally equipped for a gentle paddling session with small children. In winter, the exposed waves can be a little wild, the elements providing for superb storm-watching, when the beaches are excellent for dog-walking. Don’t forget to catch a sunset too, they’re pretty impressive here.
Head south to Millook a pebbly beach, which is about 2 miles from Widemouth Bay, and is accessible via the coast path, or you can drive, however parking is an issue. Bude is about 2 miles north, and has beautiful beaches aplenty, with the two main ones being Summerleaze Beach and Crooklets Beach.
Widemouth Bay isn’t known as a shopping destination. If you want a proper browse you’ll need to head to nearby Bude. However, at Widemouth Bay, The Beach House Shop specialises in freshly caught fish and local meat, and there’s also a small gift shop at Black Rock.
For a rainy day, just off the A39 at Poundstock is a lovely independent cinema, The Rebel, the perfect place to spend a few hours – popcorn at the ready. As Widemouth Bay is close to the A39 you’ve good access to plenty of Cornish hot spots, such as Boscastle, Padstow and Rock. Sure to be on your Cornish bucket list, The Eden Project is just over an hour’s drive.
Why not try horse riding? Broomhill Manor Stables is just a few miles away and caters for all ages and abilities, or head to Monster Slip & Slide for thrills and spills.
The village of Widemouth Bay is fairly recent in comparison to many Cornish villages, consisting mainly of bungalows built during the twentieth century. Widemouth Bay does have a rather tiny church, Our Lady and St Anne, the church’s modest dimensions earned it a place in Dixe Wills’ 2016 book Tiny Churches.
You’re in a fantastic location for a bit of rambling. The coastal walk into Bude follows the coast north and takes around an hour. A scenic walk, you’ll pass Phillip’s Point Nature reserve, over Efford Down, as you enter Bude take in the iconic Storm Tower at Compass Point. The route then turns inland at the Bude breakwater and follows the canal from the sea lock into Bude.
If you wanted to, you can make this a 10km circular route by continuing along the canal towpath to Helebridge and following the footpaths over fields from Whalesborough to the coast.
If you’re up for a challenge take on the south west coastal path to Crackington Haven. It’s a good stomp, and is just over 6 miles. It’s rather strenuous in parts but the views are worth it if you can handle the steepness.
Coast path at Widemouth
The weather is ever-changing in Cornwall, like the rest of the UK. The warmest months are usually July and August but September can be lovely too. Make sure you have a cosy place from our website to stay.
There are public toilets at Widemouth Bay car park.
Widemouth Bay Waves
Widemouth Bay Cottages & Luxury Homes
Rebecca Moore
LOCAL EDITOR AND CORNISH AFICIONADO
Rebecca Moore is a seasoned editor and content writer with over a decade of experience, specialising in Cornwall’s unique lifestyle, travel, and culinary scene. Her expertise has been featured in media outlets such as The Sun, Express, and Cosmopolitan. A proud Cornish resident, Rebecca’s authentic insights help readers explore the best of the Duchy.
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