Being a county magazine editor and living out of the county does certainly present its challenges, and so when opportunities arise for me to spend some time in Cornwall, I jump at the chance; particularly when it comes to parts of the county that I am not as familiar with. The north of Cornwall, with its wonderful surf beaches and magnificent dunes certainly differs from the quaint fishing villages of the south that I’ve visited before. And while I have actually been to Bude once before, and to this very resort in fact, I was excited to return after I discovered that Luxury Lodges have invested £10 million into the refurbishment of Bude Coastal Resort, adding new properties for ownership and rental, and smartening up the facilities to create a high-end, family friendly resort which delivers on style and substance.
With family in tow, (husband and two boys aged seven and four) we arrived on a rather mizzly and misty day to our accommodation, The Glasshouse, which thankfully is the first property you see when you enter the resort, and meant that immediately we could park up on our own private drive (space enough for one car or two small ones) and escape the confines of the car and indeed the argument which was on the edge of taking place as we juggled the reading of the resort map.
An imposing, glass-fronted building which lives up to its name, The Glasshouse is one of a few properties on site that boasts three bedrooms and is therefore a great choice for multigenerational holidays due to the third bedroom being on the ground floor, with an adjacent shower room. All of the six-person holiday lets also include the ultimate self-catering must-have nowadays, a hot tub. As well as a really decent set of appliances in the kitchen, which may not seem as exciting as the chance to relax in your own outdoor bubble heaven, but to me, represented the high build quality of the property as well as the time taken to think through all the little things that make family life easier while away from home. High-tech ovens and efficient dishwashers as well as a very useful while on a surf holiday, washer/dryer were all present and working well, making it effortlessly easy to knock up a quick family meal or sort through the days’ washing so more time could be spent enjoying the environment around you.
These little luxuries are continued throughout with good quality beds and bedding, well-imagined storage space for unpacking and private bathrooms for each room, with the master being particularly impressive with its walk-in shower and free-standing bath overlooking the surrounding fields. It’s things like this that, as I get older, I realise I find most appealing when looking for somewhere to stay with the family. When everyone has their own space to play and relax, and cases can be unpacked and stored away, that’s when I really start to feel my shoulders edge away from my ears.
If trying out the fancy ovens in the accommodation isn’t your thing, you could happily feed the family onsite at Burn Bar & Café every day if you so wished. There are pizzas to order for takeaway and light-bites to enjoy as well as tea, coffee and a cake or two to indulge in. But it’s the staff here that really made our stay more enjoyable, they were brilliant with the children and most importantly, were a hive of local knowledge. Head down for a pint or a coffee and come away with a wealth of information on places to visit nearby and locals’ favourite spots, such as Duckpool Beach, which we never would have discovered on our own, and whose beach waterfalls are a must-see.
Summerleaze beach in Bude, which is around a ten-minute drive, is vast and open and has lifeguard cover from May until the end of September so is perfect for families. We hired wetsuits and kit from Bude Surfing Experience, who are conveniently based in the car park, and had great fun messing about in the white water. The boys loved exploring the dunes and digging in the soft sand and were fascinated by the sea pool, which fills up as the tide comes in. We also had an excellent lunch at Life’s A Beach, which sits directly above the beach and enjoys views out to sea, it’s the perfect place to watch the surfing and tuck into a plate of delicious fish and chips. If you’d rather leave the car back at the resort, there is a walk through the countryside and golf club which takes just under 30 minutes, or less if the call of the hot tub is strong enough to start you in to a little jog!
This resort makes for an excellent base from which to explore the delights of North Cornwall, and the investment made by Luxury Lodges is clear to see from the outset. If you fall in love with Bude, there is also luxury accommodation available to purchase, meaning you could holiday here year after year. luxurylodges.com
