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!

Bude canal is unusual in that it starts from the harbour in Bude, with the first lock opening to the sea. The recent renovation of the lock gates means that once again ocean-going boats can be seen tied up in the bude canal basin.

How it all began

The coastal area at Bude has sand that is unusually rich in minerals, and the poor agricultural land of the locality was found to benefit considerably from application of the sand. However transporting sand was exceptionally difficult even to land relatively close to the coast.

Several schemes were put forward to construct a canal to bring the sand to the countryside. In 1817 a new route was surveyed and work commenced in July 1819. By 1823 the canal was operational, involving three locks and six incline planes over the length of 35.5 miles.

The canal system

The main line of the canal ran south east from Bude to a wharf near Launceston, with an easterly branch to Blagdonmoor, beyond Holsworthy. There was a northerly feeder arm from a new reservoir called the Tamar Lake. There were two conventional locks in the short broad canal section which terminated at Helebridge, about two miles from Bude, and ordinary coastal barges travelled this far up the canal.

Tub boats were designed to use the main part of the system, and they made the transit from the harbour at Bude, or from Helebridge if trans-shipping from coastal vessels there. After Helebridge there were inclined planes and the whole of the central part of the system was 433ft above sea level. Having no intermediate locks on the tub boat sections, the canal had to follow the contours exactly between the inclined planes. The tub boats were hauled up and down the inclined planes by chains which were operated by waterwheels.

An unhappy history

On completion of the canal, the owning company was constantly short of cash. The income was less than expected and there were many technical problems in operating the system. When the London and South Western Railway reached Holsworthy this initially  boosted traffic. The canal carried large volumes for onward conveyance by rail. However the arrival of the railway soon spelt the ultimate doom of the canal: manufactured fertilisers had become commonplace and cheap, and they could be brought in by rail, and so the demand for the local sand was diminished considerably.

Finally the tub boat operation ceased in November 1891. The canal was bought by the Urban District Council in 1902 and this enabled them to supply domestic water to local communities from the canal's Tamar reservoir.

The canal today

In recent years the state of the canal between the sea lock gates and Helebridge had steadily deteriorated, but in 2005 ambitious plans to redevelop the canal were approved. Funding of £5.5 million was obtained from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Objective One and the South West Development Agency, and the Spring of 2009 saw the completion of the massive regeneration project.

The two locks between the harbour and Helebridge have been rebuilt, the canal has been dredged and the tow paths recreated. The Bude canal and its surroundings are once again a source of pride to the residents of Bude and Stratton.

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.

Recent guests of The Camelot Hotel included the cast of BBC’s Coast, shooting for their series along Bude’s coastline and inspecting local monuments such as Hawker’s Hut, the smallest National Trust Property in the country.

For those who haven’t heard of BBC’s Coast it is a documentary series that first aired in 2005 and is still going strong today, it covers various subjects relating to both the natural and social history of the British coastline and is presented by the prominent geographer Nicholas Crane.

Hawker’s Hut

The Hut is mainly of timber construction and is partially built into the hillside (earth sheltered) with a turf roof. It was originally built from driftwood and timber retrieved from shipwrecks by the eccentric vicar and poet.

Parson Hawker spent many hours in the Hut writing poems and smoking opium, no doubt inspired by the spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors to the Hut during Hawker's time there included Alfred Tennyson in 1848 (with whom Hawker toured Tintagel) and Charles Kingsley. Today the Hut is accessible on foot from the coastal footpath via a short set of steps.

The coast and beaches of Bude

The coastal scenery surrounding the beaches in Bude is stunning.  There is plenty of bird life for the dedicated twitcher and many interesting and scenic walks along the cliff tops.  The cliff faces themselves are used by rock climbers and the coastal paths around here can be quite a challenging walk.

Further along this coast is Sandy Mouth, an ideal family spot with rock pools and clean sands.  Keep going towards Devon to come to Morwenstow which is just south of Henna Cliff, the cliff is a sheer drop down to the sea and is the highest in Cornwall which gives spectacular views all the way to South Wales.

Heritage Breaks

For those of you who enjoy spectacular coastal walks and discovering Cornish heritage, The Camelot specialises in walking holidays and heritage breaks for all ages.  Click here to explore our activities and holiday information.

Martin Watson is the head chef at The Camelot Hotel (Hawkers Restaurant),
his blog series chronicles the travels and experiences from his youth leading up to now.

Hawker's Restaurant

I have been fortunate enough to work at the Camelot Hotel for the past eleven years. I remember well my interview with Paddy Naylor who asked me 'Can you cook?' My reply, 'Well, I haven't done much cooking for the past twenty eight years, but I did train as a chef', was good enough to secure the position of Head Chef at Hawkers Restaurant and I was contracted to work for the first season (March – October 1999). Having survived the first six months in a kitchen full of out-dated and partially working equipment, much like the rest of the hotel, we closed in October and the Hotel was completely refurbished and expanded.

Now in our twelfth year, I have made many friends, both staff members and hotel guests. Part of my early brief was to 'mingle with the guests' and, not being one to shy away from such a request, have spent many a long night recounting stories from my past.

My Blog Series

One of our most regular guests with whom I have spent many evenings chatting, was taken with the account of my travels through Spain. In the 1970's I hitch- hiked from Gloucestershire to Spain attempting to follow the route which one of my favourite writers, Laurie Lee, had taken some forty years earlier. My trip, as far as following the route taken by Laurie Lee must be considered a failure; however, my introduction to the more rustic Spanish cuisine was a joy. With the advent of the internet, our website and blogs, it has given me the perfect opportunity to share some of my experiences with others. In the fullness of time, I am sure the readers (if there are any) will either inspire me to continue or quit.
You vote with your click!

Happy blogging!
Martin Watson

Close to Summerleaze beach and the centre of Bude you will find the Castle, home to Sir Goldsworthy Gurney. In front of it stands the Bude Light, a monument inspired by an invention of Gurney’s nearly 200 years ago.

Early Days

Sir Goldsworthy Gurney (1793 - 1875) was perhaps the most prolific inventor Cornwall has produced. He was born near Padstow and was educated at Truro Grammar School, and before he was twenty qualified as a doctor.

In 1820 he and his wife moved to London where he began to build horseless steam carriages. In one of these he made a famous journey from London to Bath and back. He set up the Gurney Steam Carriage Company and orders flooded in. However with the coming of the railways the business collapsed, and he branched into other fields including new inventions for the ventilation of sewers and mines.

The Inventing of the Bude Light

In 1830 he moved to Bude and leased a beautiful sandy plot of land close to Summerleaze beach from his long standing friend Sir Thomas Acland. It was a beautiful site for a house but the problem was the unstable sand. He responded to this challenge by building a large concrete raft, the first of its kind, on which he built his so-called Bude Castle.

To illuminate the rooms of the Castle he created a brilliantly bright light by injecting a stream of oxygen into an oil flame. This single light source was reflected throughout the chambers and corridors of the Castle by cleverly positioned prisms and mirrors. This became known as the Bude Light. He was then engaged to improve the lighting in the House of Commons by replacing the existing 280 candles in the House with three Bude Lights. They were used for sixty years until the arrival of electricity.

Gurney adapted the Bude Light for use in lighthouses by placing the light in a revolving frame. As the frame moved it made a flashing beam. Each lighthouse had its own sequence of flashes, a principle still in use today.

The Millennium Celebration Bude Light

To celebrate the millennium of 2000 and the invention of the Bude Light in 1830, the so-called Bude Light 2000 was built in the grounds of Bude Castle. It consists of a slender cone made in concrete with the colours of sand, sea and sky. It is over 9 metres high and weighs nearly six tonnes. There is a core from the base to the stainless steel lantern at the top to house the fibre optic cables and fixing bar. 130 holes were drilled into the lowest section of the cone for the fibre lights to depict the night sky. The cone surrounded by the Zodiac circle which also contains fibre optic lights is set in a coloured design which suggests the seashore.

Gurney was knighted in 1863 but three months later was partially paralysed by a stroke. He died in 1875 and was buried at Launcells Church near Stratton, two miles from his Castle home.

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!

Blanchminster - the oldest charitable trust in the world
Bude houses what is believed to be the oldest ongoing charitable trust in the world. The Blanchminster Trust originated in 1421 and since that date has been actively engaged in providing assistance to persons originally in Stratton and Poughill and later in Bude.

In its early years the Charity had religious objectives as well as providing help for needy people. Since 1893 the Charity Commission has regulated the activities of the Trust. and its 'Area of Benefit' comprises the Parishes of Bude, Stratton and Poughill. The Board of Trustees is made up of thirteen local people. They receive no payment or allowances and give their time freely in the service of the Trust.

The Trust has two principal Objects
Firstly - to promote Education by the provision of assistance to those in need of help. Education is widely defined and not limited to formal school or university activities. It includes involvement of people in sporting activities, community service and further training after the end of their formal education.

Many of the young staff at the Camelot Hotel have been given generous financial assistance when, on leaving school, they move on to further education. Everybody in the community is aware of what the Trust has to offer, and many apply successfully for financial help.

Secondly - 'The Relief of Need'. Anybody who can provide proof of financial need and who is resident in the 'Area of Need' can apply. Help may be in the form of a cash grant, equipment for the disabled, travel costs to visit the sick, and the like. Again the local community, when suffering hardship, know that requests for help will be sympathetically listened to.

Additionally - Also the Trustees may, in certain circumstances make grants to local organisations of a charitable nature where the help is for the benefit of the community. For example, the Trust funded the building of a Crèche alongside the local Junior School.

May The Blanchminster Trust continue to help the citizens of Bude and Stratton for another five hundred years!!!!