Widemouth Bay
The beach at Widemouth Bay is a wide expanse of open sand stretching nearly 2 miles. Despite being only 3 miles from the popular resort town of Bude the beach here has a wild feel.
This is an exposed stretch of coast, facing west, straight into the full force of the Atlantic Ocean. Great news for surfers but it can get a little breezy. In this case you may be able to find some shelter among the sand dunes on the foreshore.
A recent winner of the much coveted Blue Flag Award, you can be sure Widemouth Bay has all the facilities you'll need for a family day at the beach. In addition to cafes and toilets there are lifeguards during the summer months. But if you fancy a swim, observe the flags, they're there for a reason.
To the southern end of the beach the foreshore becomes increasingly rocky. This is great news for rock pooling and at lower tides there is no shortage of marine life to be discovered here.
Amongst all these fingers of rock is the distinct form of Black Rock. A lone lump of rock rising high above any of the surrounding beach.
Widemouth Bay is the landing point for many important communications cables which link the UK to other countries. It is said that one of these is the 'Trans-Atlantic hotline' connecting Downing Street with the White House!
Also known as:
Black Rock
Type of beach
Sandy
Lifeguard service
RNLI lifeguard cover: Easter bank holiday, Weekends during April, daily from 5 May to 30 September and weekends during October.
Dogs friendly beach?
Dogs allowed all year (Black Rock / South Beach only). On the rest of the beach dogs are banned from15th May to 30th September between 10am and 6pm
Disabled access
Good beach access with ramp onto the sand
Postcode
EX23 0AH
OS grid ref.
SS 1988 0218
Parking
Amazingly for Cornwall there is free car parking at both the north and south end of the beach!
Awards
Widemouth Bay Reviews (8)
Awesome
Catherine Hodgkinson
Oct 11th 2020I was travelling to Bude along the scenic route and I came across Widemouth Bay. It is stunning wild and beautiful. I gave up on Bude. Lol
Dog attack
Mandy moore
Aug 24th 2021This beach is beautiful we parked up on here over the weekend in our red converted transit van, I experienced a dog attack on Sunday and the owner of the bull bread who locked its jaw to another dog didn’t bother to put it on a lead at all, apparently she’s known for her dangerous dog she needs reporting next time it could be a child.
Should be 5 stars
Amazing beach with a good balance of wildness and facilities. Should be 5 stars but unfortunately the key let down is that certain dog owners have no control of their dogs, not even keeping watch. As a dog owner for many years it’s sad to see the selfish attitude of thankfully a minority. But picking up poo and not letting dogs run aggressively at children etc should be the basics for considerate dog owners. Beaches should be for all where all feel safe.
Amazing beach
Sara
Aug 12th 2023Amazing beach for whole family, depending upon tides you have sand, rock pools, sandy pools, great fun!!
My favourite beach! Stunning! Sand, space, lifeguard, great surfing, everything you need! Would definitely recommend!
Brilliant dog beach, great clean facilities, excellent food and shop at black rock beach, thank you!
Absolutely stunning
Kate
Nov 11th 2021Our favourite beach in Cornwall, absolutely stunning, beautiful sunset point too
Stunning
David Memmory
Feb 23rd 2020Unspoilt Beautiful beach, perfect for family’s, crabbing for the kids, great surfing, fantastic facilities close by.