To make sure you get the most out of your stay with us at the Camelot Hotel, whether it’s one night bed and breakfast or a week long holiday, we strive to find out what’s going on in the area. If you’d like to know more about any of these events just get in touch.

Lundy Island Day Trip: Running until 26/10/10

Spend a day on the natural & historic National Trust island of Lundy, take the ferry from Bideford across and experience the unspoilt charm of this island.  Lundy lies off the coast of North Devon, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Bristol Channel, Lundy itself is a granite outcrop, three and a half miles long and half a mile wide that is filled with unique and interesting wildlife and fauna.

Bude Jive Club (Lessons): 06/09/10, 13/09/10, 20/09/10, 27/09/10

Bude Jive Club has been in existence for five years and due to its popularity has moved to bigger premises – namely The Parkhouse Centre in Bude three years ago. The rise in interest has developed from combining two dance styles, traditional rock and roll and jive. Bude Jive Club has fast gained a reputation as a friendly club and has a very varied social diary supported by Rock and Roll club members throughout the southwest. Throughout the year dances are run with live bands, record hops and other events. The live band nights usually take place at the Bullers Arms, Marhamchurch, near Bude.  This is a great and friendly dance club that suits all levels of experience and are very friendly!

Bude Canal & Harbour Society Guided Walks: 05/09/10, 26/09/10

Discover Bude Canal with a guided walk and fitting narrative with the Bude Canal and Harbour Society.  Explore the beautiful landscape of Bude while learning a little about its rich history.  Guided tours begin at 2PM on the above dates, check the weather forecast first though to dress the part!

Jazz Festival 29/08/10 for a week

Bude Jazz Festival is getting closer and closer!  Don’t miss out on one of Bude’s biggest events, the Jazz festival is renowned throughout the Jazz world as one of the most diverse, with over 140 items on its week long programme and a great range of artists and musicians.  For more information take a look at our article on Bude Jazz Festival and see our bed and breakfast rates for the week.

Duchy Opera Presents The Merry Widow: 16/10/2010

Duchy Opera is proud to present a unique adaptation of Lehar's much-loved operetta, The Merry Widow. Set amidst the celebrations in Maxim’s, a run-down cabaret bar in Berlin, it offers a glimpse of the lives affected by three decades of East and West Berliners being kept apart as the despised Berlin Wall is finally torn down, brick-by- brick, on 9 November 1989.

Art Exhibition by Gwynngala: 29/08/2010 - 13/09/2010

Art Exhibition featuring works by 'Gwynngala'. 20 Artists and Makers will be exhibiting paintings, textiles, prints, photography, sculpture, papier mache and cerramics at The Willoughby Gallery at The Castle Heritage Centre, in Bude.  This will be a mixed media exhibition by a group of artists and makers from the Launceston area who have taken as their main inspiration – just jazz!

Line Dance Social: 10/09/10

Enjoy the community sprit at thhhe Line Dance Social at Poughill Village Hall on Fri 10th September 7.30 - 11pm. Charity raffle in aid of Macmillan Cancer/Research. Bring and Share Supper. Tickets £4 on the door.

Fishing is a sport on the rise; more and more people are learning to fish or are returning to a much loved hobby introduced in their youth.  We recognise the appeal of fishing whether it’s the relaxation of the day or the thrill of the catch there is always something to keep everyone happy.

To make sure you get the most from your fishing holiday while staying with us in Bude, we have put together a series of tips and tricks for the new angler and some helpful reminders for those who have done it all before.

A focus on: Trout Fishing

Understanding how moving water shapes the stream channel will improve your chances of finding trout. In most streams, the current creates a Riffle-Run-Pool pattern that repeats itself over and over. A deep pool may hold a big brown trout, but rainbows and smaller browns are likely found in runs. Riffles are where you will find small trout, called troutlet, during the day and larger trout crowding in during morning and evening feeding periods.

•    Riffles have a fast current and shallow water. This gives way to a bottom of gravel, rubble or boulder. Riffles are morning and evening feeding areas. Trout usually spawn just above or below riffles, but may spawn right in them.

•    Runs are deeper than riffles with a moderate current and are found between riffles and pools. The bottom is made up of small gravel or rubble. These hot spots hold trout almost anytime, if there is sufficient cover.

•    Pools are smoother and look darker than the other areas of the stream. The deep, slow-moving water generally has a bottom of silt, sand, or small gravel. Pools make good midday resting spots for medium to large trout.

•    It is recommended that when fishing for trout, that the fisher should use line in the 4-8 lb test for stream fish, and stronger line with the same diameter for trout from the sea or from a large lake.

•    For bait, trout also find salmon eggs, worms, minnows, cut bait, or corn attractive with corn and the occasional marshmallow especially attractive to farm raised trout.

Fishing at the Camelot Hotel

At the Camelot Hotel we recognise that a holiday in Cornwall should be a mixture of relaxation and activity and there is no greater fusion of the two than there is in fishing.  There are many opportunities for the angler, including sea, game, and coarse fishing in Cornwall and Bude in a wide and diverse series of locations.

We have recently set up connections with local fisheries and sea fishing vessels throughout North Cornwall and can offer our guests access to these venues, whether you are a master angler or have never fished before we can arrange a premier fishing experience tailored to your specifications, just ask one of our front of house managers when booking your stay or take us up on one of our upcoming holiday packages!

North Cornwall is blessed with a rugged and dramatic coastline, with towering cliffs interspersed with sandy beaches and deserted coves. The large tidal range means that beaches can have a dramatically different character at low and high tide.

At low tide many beaches are an expanse of golden sand, but when the tide comes in the sand is sometimes covered, perhaps leaving just a narrow pebbly strip at the head of the beach. Here is a description of all the beaches close to the Camelot. All these beaches have lifeguard cover during the holiday season (May to September).

Polzeath

Polzeath is about 40 minutes drive from the Camelot, but it is one of the most popular beaches in Cornwall. It is wide and Sandy, and sheltered by low cliffs on both sides. The sand is firm and most of the car parking is actually on the beach itself. The surf here is very mellow and great for learner surfers and children. With all the amenities close to the beach, a good surf shop, and easy parking, this is a great family beach.

Trebarwith Strand

Although a little off the beaten track this is a very picturesque beach. At high tide the beach disappears completely and all you will see is a bay surrounded by high cliffs. This is the time to retire to the Port William pub which overlooks the bay. There is not much parking close to the beach but there is a large car park five minute’s walk away. Access to the beach is by a short but rough track. Although plenty of families with very young children come here it is perhaps better suited to those with slightly older kids who will enjoy exploring the rock pools.

Crackington Haven

Crackington is dominated by the very high cliffs on both sides which gives it a slightly closed-in feel. It is quite rocky and there is often not that much sand, but it is never really busy and it does have a car park, toilets and cafe very close to the beach, not to mention the Coombe Barton pub which overlooks the beach.

Widemouth Bay

Just five minutes south of Bude, Widemouth is a very popular beach. It is wide and sandy with ample car parking just feet from the beach. It is a great place to learn to surf. For those wishing to explore, a few minute’s walk up the beach in either direction leads to a more secluded and sheltered part of the bay, with plenty of rock pools for the kids. A cafe, toilets, and surfboard hire are all available at both ends of the beach. In fact sometimes at high tide the beach is briefly separated into two by a low promontory, and at times like this it seems there are two different beaches, each with its own character and facilities.

Summerleaze

Situated in the heart of Bude, this beach has it all. Except at low tide, the beach is sheltered from the heaviest of the surf by the breakwater. There is ample car parking, excellent facilities and easy access to the beach. And there is plenty of additional interest close at hand. To one side of the beach is Bude's sea pool - naturally filled with seawater at high tide, it gives the experience of being in the sea but in a sheltered environment. On the other side of the beach is Bude’s small harbour and the lock gates where the canal enters the sea. Overlooking the beach is an excellent cafe and bistro: Life’s a Beach. At low tide acres of sand are uncovered and the beach merges with the neighbouring beach, Crooklets.

Crooklets

Just a few minute’s walk from the Camelot Hotel in Bude, Crooklets beach is the home of the country's first Surf Lifesaving Club: you will always see very good surfers in the water here. There is parking, toilets and a cafe just yards from the beach. On the lowest of low tides it is possible to walk northwards along the water's edge for miles, perhaps with a little rock hopping, to the next two beaches.

Northcott

Just a few minute’s drive from the Camelot Hotel, or a mile’s walk along the cliff tops, is Northcott beach. There is limited parking and no facilities but It is a lovely spot and quieter than the busy beaches of Bude. At high tide there is often very little sand, but there is no shortage of rock pools to explore!

Sandymouth

Owned by the National Trust, Sandymouth is a stunningly beautiful stretch of coast. At low tide the sand extends north and south for about a mile, interspersed with fingers of rock. At high tide there is often not much more than a narrow pebbly beach with cliffs behind. If walking on the beach towards high tide take care not to be cut off. The sandbanks here make it a popular place for experienced surfers, but there can also be dangerous currents and you would be well advised not to swim in the sea here unless in the lifeguard supervised area. The car park and cafe are quite close to the beach, but access to the beach is down a short but fairly steep rough track.

To make sure you get the most out of your stay with us at the Camelot Hotel, whether it’s one night bed and breakfast or a week long holiday, we strive to find out what’s going on in the area. If you’d like to know more about any of these events just get in touch.

Beauty and The Beast – Open air theatre 30/07/10
Performed in the Castle grounds, Bude, by Chapterhouse Theatre Company. Come along to watch this heart-warming story of fun and friendship in fancy dress and join Louisa and her friends in a fairytale parade during the interval . Grounds open for picnics from 5pm. Refreshments available. Bring your own rug or seating.

Bridgerule Carnival 31/07/10
The carnival kicks off with the procession starting at 7.30 pm. This small village really pushes the boat out each year for their carnival with rows of stalls along the roadside, open BBQ and processions. The village also is home to the famous Bideford Pipe and Drum Band and hosts a selection of vintage cars and motor bikes. The procession itself has many tableaux, some walking fancy dress and an equestrian section.

Leopallooza 31/07/10
Bude's very own rock festival is now in its fifth year with many great and varied acts in the line up. Leopallooza V kicks off from 9AM on Saturday 31st July through to 4PM on Sunday 1st August at The Wyldes just south of Bude. 

Clovelly Lifeboat weekend 31/07 – 01/08/10
A great day out for all the family, packed full of fun and action down at the harbour. Lots of stall and activities in this beautiful and unique village.

Sorry! That's Life by Footsbarn Theatre 31/07/10 for 2 weeks
After a 2 year break Footsbarn return with their Big Top at Carruan Farm near Polzeath. Clowns and undertakers. Actors and tractors. Corpses and horses. Theatre and circus. Footsbarn have joined forces with Pierre Byland and Cirque Werdyn, a gypsy horse circus to bring you an evening of burlesque and anarchy with our big top in Victoria Park.

Hevva Hevva Ceili 07/08/10
Never been to a Cornish Ceili? Worried you won’t know the steps? Don’t be, traditional Cornish dance and music group, Hevva Hevva will set your feet-tapping and before you know it you’ll be dancing with the best of them. Hevva Hevva have a caller and all you do is follow what they call. Venue is Bude’s Parkhouse Centre (8.00pm - 10.00pm).There is a bar on site and tickets include an authentic Cornish pasty.

Bude Canal Guided Walk 15/08/10
Bude has one of the few canals in Cornwall. It has some of the most extraordinary engineering features of any canal in the county. Meeting at the newly renovated sea locks at 2pm, this walk will take us along the canal towpath to the Barge Workshop at Helebridge, Nr Marhamchurch, a distance of about 2 miles. The walk takes about an hour allowing for some explanations of features en route. The walk will terminate at Helebridge Basin.

Bude Carnival 21/08/10
Starting at 2PM, the Bude Carnival is a highly anticipated event throughout the area. This year’s fancy dress theme is Disney and will involve several walking parades throughout the day and a motor parade in the evening. With several events proceeding throughout the day such as karaoke, competitions and various tableaux, Bude’s annual carnival is fun for young and old alike.

Jazz Festival 29/08/10 for a week
Each year during the August Bank Holiday week the Camelot Hotel bustles as Bude’s streets dance to the sound of jazz as people come far and wide to listen to a diverse selection of music as the annual jazz festival kicks off. Held annually the Bude Jazz Festival is a riot of sound, colour and excitement. With more than 140 items on the programme each year, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to jazz. All the venues are played by the finest jazz musicians from the UK and overseas and also feature many talented young artists. The musicians come from all backgrounds and their styles range from blues and ragtime to mainstream and bop, with an especially rich choice of old-style New Orleans and classic jazz. Starting on the 28th of August and reaching its show stopping finale on the night of the 3rd of September, The Bude Jazz Festival is a landmark in the Jazz landscape!

Jazz Is In The Air
Each year during the August Bank Holiday week the Camelot Hotel bustles as Bude’s streets dance to the sound of jazz as people come far and wide to listen to a diverse selection of music as the annual jazz festival kicks off.

Held annually the Bude Jazz Festival is a riot of sound, colour and excitement. With more than 140 items on the programme each year, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to jazz. All the venues are played by the finest jazz musicians from the UK and overseas and also features many up and coming young artists. The musicians come from all backgrounds and their styles range from blues and ragtime to mainstream and bop, with an especially rich choice of old-style New Orleans and classic jazz.

There are fourteen different indoor venues which include pubs, hotels, halls and restaurants – comfortable and informal surroundings that help to create Bude Jazz Festival’s friendly and relaxed atmosphere. In addition to good listening facilities, there will be a dedicated dance marquee, offering swing, jive and New Orleans bands from midday to 11PM at night.

Relaxing Jazz Holidays
Into relaxing?  If you want to sit back and chill while listening to some live jazz music then you'll find several small, intimate venues will be hosting performances. Don’t want to jazz on an empty stomach?  At the Camelot Hotel we start serving dinner in our award winning Hawkers Restaurant early throughout Jazz Week, so you can get to the evening venues in good time and maximise your enjoyment.

Don't think that the fun only starts at night though; there will be concerts at various Bude venues throughout the day which means that no matter what you plan to do during your stay you should find time to take in a show or two.

Bude Accommodation
When it comes to making the most of the various events that make up the Bude Jazz Festival, knowing where you’re going is the ticket to success.  That’s why at the Camelot Hotel we don’t just offer bed and breakfast and a superb evening meal, we provide you with an expert knowledge of the local area and programmes of the entire Jazz Week. The venues are mostly within easy walking distance. All are linked by continuous bus services which are free of charge to Festival ticket-holders and pick up guests right from The Camelot Hotel’s front door.

Don't miss the fun
Starting on the 28th of August and reaching its show stopping finale on the night of the 3rd of September, The Bude Jazz Festival is an event not to be missed!

Surfing is great fun
Whether standing up, or lying down, surfing all the way to the beach for the first time is an amazing experience. And there is nowhere better to learn to surf than North Cornwall. The wide, sandy beaches and consistent surf here make Bude a favourite destination for people wanting to learn to surf. So, book in to the Camelot Hotel and get wet!

Surfing equipment
All you need to learn to surf is a surf board! But it also helps if you have a wetsuit, and in the winter at least, wetsuit boots and gloves. Surfing is not nearly so much fun if you are cold. Boogie boards are cheap and readily available at many different shops in Bude. But if you want to stand up you will need a proper surfboard. And whether you hire one or buy one, there is one golden rule - make sure it is big enough. The bigger the board the easier it is to catch waves and the more stable it is, making it far easier to get your feet. Whether buying or hiring make sure you get the advice of the staff in the surf shops, who will all be experienced surfers.

Surf schools
If you are serious about learning to surf, by far the best way is to have a proper lesson. There are a number of surf schools in and around Bude. All of them have trained coaches and provide everything you need. Whoever you choose, make sure they are affiliated to the British Surfing Association who insist that coaches are also trained lifesavers. A typical lesson will last 2 1/2 hours, and in it you will learn everything you need to know about surfing. After that it is simply a case of practice, practice, practice.

Surfing beaches
The best beaches for learning to surf are wide, sandy and flat. Here the waves will be gentler and you'll have plenty of room. And flatter beaches generally have fewer currents. Avoid surfing near rocks, and take care that there are no rocks hidden below the surface. The best beaches to learn to surf on are Widemouth to the south of Bude, and Summerleaze in Bude itself. Crooklets in Bude is also excellent, as is Sandymouth a few miles to the north.

Surf safely
All the main beaches in North Cornwall have lifeguard cover throughout the summer. They are normally on duty from 10am to 6pm. If at any time you get into trouble in the surf simply hold on to your surfboard and raise your arm: this is this signal that you need help and the lifeguards will be with you very quickly. If there are dangerous currents the lifeguards will put up the red flag, and although you will see experienced surfers out in the surf you would be well advised to stay on the beach. If there are no lifeguards on duty avoid surfing at low tide when the currents are usually at their worst. In fact as a learner surfer your biggest risk is not from the sea but from being hit by your own, or someone else's, surfboard. When you wipe out (all part of the fun!) cover your face with your arms as you come to the surface to protect yourself from your board. Try to avoid getting in other people's way, and try not to crash into anyone yourself!

Surf schools in the Bude area
Oudoor Adventure
Raven Surf
Atlantic Pursuits
Big Blue
BSX

Cycling Around Cornwall and Devon

If you love the fresh air and fancy taking in some of our beautiful countryside, why not try cycling? There are some beautiful and easy rides, so round up the kids, pack a picnic, get on your bike and follow the Camel and Tarka trails.

The Camel Trail in North Cornwall

The Camel Trail wends its ways through some of England's most beautiful and relatively unknown coastal scenery and countryside. There are 11 miles of disused railway beside the River Camel that have been converted from the rail track bed to trail way, thus linking the towns of Padstow, Wadebridge and Bodmin. An offshoot of the trail follows the river through North Cornwall's rugged moorland village landscapes and idyllic wooded valleys, towards the picturesque market town of Camelford. The hub of the Camel Trail can be found at Wadebridge and from here poses two possibilities:

• One is to head west and follow the trail to Padstow. Just over five miles of cycle trail are waiting to be discovered. The trail passes through some of the most beautiful countryside in England, with stunning views out over the Camel estuary, complimented with little tributaries that disappear into the heart of the fabulous north Cornwall countryside, as well as revealing little inland coves and beaches at low tide.
• The other option is to head inland, east towards the town of Bodmin, with equally inspirational surroundings and various interesting diversions along the way.

In either direction you will enjoy a myriad of sights to inspire the mind as well as the benefits of a healthy excursion. The Camel Trail is virtually level all the way due to it being laid on the old railway track. Although not quite a road surface, the Camel Trail is mostly smooth and provides safe and easy access to unspoilt countryside for those folk unable to use our undulating inland and coastal paths.

The Tarka Trail

Over 180 miles in length, the Tarka Trail takes a looping route through North and Mid Devon; from the rugged Atlantic Coast, the estuaries of both the Rivers Taw and Torridge  of Tarka the Otter fame,  through rural Devon Countryside onto the northern Slopes of Dartmoor, and the source of the River Taw.

The Trail between Barnstaple, down the Taw, upriver to Bideford, following the River Torridge to Torrington, takes the route of a disused railway line and is particularly suited for both cyclists and walkers.

Following the South West Coast Path, along the North Devon Coast, it takes in Baggy Point, Mortehoe and Lynmouth, then up Contisbury Hill to Exmoor, the legendary Lorna Doone Country.

Although the stretches of Trail from Bideford to Barnstaple are the most well-used by cyclists, a cycle ride from Bideford to Torrington and on towards Meeth is equally delightful. This takes in Salt Marsh and the mellow North Devon countryside as the Trail heads inland along the floodplain of the Torridge, beloved by Henry Williamson, the author of Tarka the Otter after which the Trail is named.

A few miles out of Bideford is the Ironbridge, offering good views along the river, upstream to ancient oak woodlands of the west bank of the river,  as it makes a wide loop. Look out for the lime kiln just downriver of Ironbridge! The River Yeo joins the Torridge at Landcross, a small village the Trail passes in a short length of tunnel. Then, following first the east bank then the west bank of the river, the route gently climbs towards the former Torrington Station- now the Puffing Billy, a good place to stop for a break and bite to eat. At Beam the Trail crosses the River no less than 3 times in less than half a mile. To reach the Cavalier Town of Torrington high on the hill leave the Trail at the Station.

Beyond the Puffing Billy the Trail yet again crosses the Torridge, this time on a high level viaduct, offering good views along the River, before heading South west towards Meeth, passing Pencleave Woods and Watergate Halt. This is unspoilt Devon countryside at its best. The Trail reaches a summit on Stowford Moor as it approaches the ball clay works at Merton and Meeth. Beyond Meeth the Trail follows footpaths and quiet country lanes to Hatherleigh, then quieter country lanes hence to Jacobstowe and Okehampton.