Whatever time of year you are camping in Cornwall, you won’t need to worry about whether or not you will find enought to do! If Bude is your destination, you have a choice of many popular annual events. Your only problem may be fitting them all into your schedule!
The Bude Jazz Festival was a popular annual event in the town, and when it was announced that it was to be end, there was a huge backlash, both from the local community and regular visitors. Fortunately, a group of volunteers have stepped up to the mark and pledged to save the festival. Under its new name of Bude Jazz, its first year will be 2012, which is actually the 25th anniversary of jazz in Bude. The festival takes place at the end of August and is a wonderful celebration of jazz music, with dozens of performers playing at various venues throughout Bude.
Bude Jazz Festival 2010 (from http://www.budepeople.co.uk/)
Another annual treat of the musical variety is the Bude and Stratton Folk Festival, a completely acoustic festival in Bude and its neighbouring town, Stratton. A diverse range of sessions, dances and performers are featured and the event is growing in popularity every year, with many viewing it as one of the best small folk festivals on the circuit. This is a really inclusive festival, as everyone is encouraged to join in. ‘Sing around’ sessions, musical workshops and folk dancing are just a few of the activities you can participate in. Who knows, you might even discover a hidden talent! The Bude and Stratton Folk Festival takes place in June every year.
If sporting events are more your thing, there are loads of annual events to enjoy whether you are a participant or a spectator. One of the biggest is the Awesome Foursome, which takes place in early Autumn and is definitely not for the faint-hearted! The event kicks off with an 800 metre sea swim (consisting of a double loop within the Summerleaze bay area), followed by a 30 kilometre cycle along the coast road to Widemouth, Wanson Mouth and Millook as far as the Wainhouse Corner junction of the A39. It’s then back to Bude by bike, just time to gear up for a 10 kilometre kayak paddle, twice around the Bude canal.
The final part of the Awesome Foursome is a 10 kilometre run to Helebridge, following the canal towpath, then across the fields to Widemouth before returning to Bude along the coastal path. If you can’t even imagine yourself taking part, do go along and support the participants – the atmosphere is brilliant and it’s really special being part of one of the UK’s major sporting events!
Other great annual events in Bude and the surrounding area are the Bude Shoreline Triathlon, which takes place mid summer, and Clovelly Celebration of Local Ales and Ciders, which normally occurs in late May. The beauty of camping in Cornwall is that you have so many great attractions and events at your fingertips.
Here are the web sites where you can find out more information about the events mentioned – and more!