If you have found this page because you are looking for campsites in Cornwall near beach, you are spoilt for choice at Tamar Lake Farm. Whether you are looking for sandy beaches for children to play, rock pools to explore, surfing and surfing lessons or just a great place to let your dog run free and enjoy the beach, you have many lovely beaches to choose from in this area of North Cornwall, close to the North Devon Border.

Tamar Lake Farm may not be the first place you would consider when looking at a map for campsites in Cornwall near beach but here are just a few of the local beaches that you could visit whilst holidaying with us.

Dog-Friendly Beaches – Bude

Bude has recently (2020) updated the information for its ‘dog-friendly beaches’ below is a brief guide:

Dog-Friendly all year: Northcott Mouth Beach, Sandymouth Bay, Duckpool Beach, Black Rock Beach (south of Widemouth Bay) and Millook Beach

Seasonal Dog Restrictions apply to: Summerleaze Beach (dogs on leads between 10am and 6pm  1st July – 31 August)

Seasonal Dog Bans: Crooklets Beach from July 1st to August 31st between 10am and 6pm. and on Widemouth Bay (main beach) from 15th May to 30th September between 10am and 6pm.

The above information has been taken from the ‘Visit Bude’ website – to visit the relevant page, please use this link: Dog-Friendly beaches in Bude

Beautiful National Trust Beaches Near To Tamar Lake Farm

Sandymouth Beach

Sandymouth is a National Trust beach and has a large car park and a further overflow car park for busy periods during the summer. The car park is free for National Trust members on production of a current membership card.

Access to the beach is down a path from the car park and over large pebbles beside the water fall that cascades onto the beach and down onto the sand – making this unsuitable for wheelchair users or the less mobile.

At low tide there is a vast expanse of golden sand and it is possible to walk between here and Bude (about two miles) – if you are feeling energetic, you can make a beautiful circular walk by returning back to Sandymouth along the coast path.

The sand and rock pools are a delight for families. Lifeguard cover on the beach runs from mid May until late September.

Surfing is popular here and a surf school now operates from the beach during the summer. Dogs are welcome on the beach all year round.

Facilities include an excellent cafe/restaurant with open air seating, a beach shop and toilet facilities.

Duckpool Beach

This is a very special place with a wild beauty all of its own. This is another National Trust Beach with free car parking right next to the beach and toilets (open during the summer season only). Although the car park is quite small, it is usually possible to park here right through the busy summer season. This is a wonderful place to walk and there is a sandy beach at low tide. However, although experienced surfers take to the water here, it is unsuitable for swimming with strong tides and no lifeguard cover.

Dogs can go onto the beach all the year round and the walks up over the cliffs on either side of the cove provide spectacular views.

For those who like to sit and take in the ambiance, refreshments are provided in the summer from an ice cream van also serving light snacks, soft drinks, teas and coffee.

Northcott Mouth

Northcott Mouth is a National Trust beach with a small car park that has no fixed charge, just a box for voluntary contributions. There is a sandy beach at low tide and a stream which crosses the beach and rock pools for the children to enjoy.

Lifeguards are on duty between 4th July and 6th September. Dogs are welcome on the beach all year round.
There are no toilet facilities at this beach but there is a refreshments caravan (Margaret’s Rustic Tea Room during the summer. Image right, from The Sassy Minx Website.

Beaches and Facilities at Nearby Bude

Summerleaze Beach

Summerleaze Beach in nearby Bude is very popular with families as it has a large, sandy beach in the shelter of the breakwater. It takes only five minutes to walk to the beach from Bude town centre and has a large car park immediately adjacent to the sand dunes.

For families, there is sand for children to play and the salt-water sea pool which is a feature partly natural and partly man made providing a brilliant place to swim. There are also facilities including a beach cafe, toilets and shop.

For those who want to swim in the sea, Lifeguards are on duty over Easter weekend and all summer from beginning of May to end of September. Dogs can run free on the beach out of season but must be on leads between 10.00 am and 6.00 pm between 1st July and 31st August (new dates for 2020).

Disabled facilities include access from the car park, toilets and a Sand Chair which can be hired from the Summerleaze Beach Office (Tel: 01288 352226). Booking in advance is advisable and hire is free (although a refundable deposit is required).

For surfers, surfing is possible at all tides and suitable for beginners and experienced surfers alike.

Crooklets Beach

Crookelets Beach is another of Bude’s beaches very popular with families as there is plenty of sand at low tide and lots of rock pools for children to explore. Family facilities include a play area and a skate-board park. There are also, toilets, showers and a beach cafe. The beach can either be reached by walking the short distance over Summerleaze Down, or from the centre of Bude. Alternatively, there is a large car park close to the beach.

For surfers, Crooklets Beach is very popular. The Bude Surf Life Saving Club provides demonstrations on the beach in the summer on Tuesday evenings. Lifeguard cover is available right through the summer from May to end of September.

Only Guide Dogs are allowed on this beach between 1st July and 31st August between 10.00 am and 6.00 pm (these new, less stringent restrictions were put into force at the beginning of 2020.

So if you are looking for Campsites in Cornwall near beach, consider all that Tamar Lake Farm has to offer. These lovely beaches are within a short drive of the site, additional information on Bude beaches here. Watersports at Upper Tamar Lake are within walking distance. There are beautiful countryside walks to enjoy too in this unspoilt part of rural North Cornwall.