Visit to Bude by Paul Bather ARPS

To celebrate the New Year, I went with my wife and a couple of friends for a week’s break staying in Marhamchurch near Widemouth Bay just outside of Bude.

It was a long-delayed break having been booked two years previously and then delayed due to Covid.

Bude is a seaside town situated on the northeast coast of Cornwall close to the border with Devon. It has consistently been voted one of the best UK coastal resorts in national Travel Awards. There is a good range of facilities with something for everyone, including a small tidal harbour leading onto a canal.

Bude also has a number of fantastic beaches close by including Sandymouth, Widemouth Bay, Northcott Mouth, Crackington Haven and Duckpool. All of which have their own unique qualities be it waterfalls, rock pools or formations.

It is also close to a number of local attractions including a harbour at Boscastle – 15 miles, Clovelly with its cobbled steep incline and beach waterfall – 20 miles, Padstow with its working port and selection of shops and restaurants– 35 miles and Royal Horticultural Society Gardens at Rosemore a 65 acre garden in North Devon with a range of woodland walks, water features and gardens with a wide range of plants and trees, 25 miles away. All of which are well worth a visit and served by ample parking facilities.

My wife and friends are not photographers and taking my tripod, a set of neutral density and graduated filters and then spending time waiting for ideal photographic conditions would I am sure, have rightfully tried their patience. So, I kept my photographic equipment to the minimum taking my trusted Nikon D500, an 80-140mm and 50mm lens along with a polarizing and ultraviolet filter.

Boscastle inlet

© Paul Bather ARPS

Boscastle rocks

© Paul Bather ARPS

Rosemoor Gardens fall

© Paul Bather ARPS

Although not a photographic holiday I did however conduct the usual research using the internet looking at local tourist sites and making use of the photographer’s ephemeris. I also looked at local tide times to ensure if the opportunity arose, I could make the best use of any available time.

My usual research before going away consists of pouring over maps and going back over previous articles and travelogues which, I had bookmarked on the internet or even cutting out articles from magazines. Although I have visited Bude in the past and made mental and written notes of where I would like to return to, there is always something new to explore and record.

I am a great believer in having a loose plan to make sure that, if possible, I can be prepared and able to try to capture the vagaries of weather and light effects. I also like to look for the intimate details of the landscape. Also having a loose plan enables me to diversify and look around to investigate other subjects.

Widemouth sunset

© Paul Bather ARPS

Clovelly Falls

© Paul Bather ARPS

The weather when we were away was changeable with periods of extreme rain and wind but going to Cornwall in January I never expected to come back with a suntan.

We did however manage to visit a number of places close by of which the following are a small selection of the pictures taken.

I hope you like them.

Rosemoor Gardens fall

© Paul Bather ARPS