Bottereaux Castle Site

The ruins sit on a clifftop above Bude, and honestly, it's the view that matters more than what's actually left of the castle itself. You get proper 360-degree coastal scenery from up here - the sort of thing that justifies the short walk inland from the beach. What you're looking at are the remains of a 13th-century fortification, though these days it's mostly earthworks and broken stone foundations. The views across the headland towards Widemouth Bay make it worth the detour if you're staying in the area, especially on a clear day when you can see for miles.

This isn't a place to spend hours. Twenty minutes to half an hour is realistic - you'll take photos, walk around the perimeter, maybe sit on the grass and look out at the Atlantic. Families with younger kids might find it a bit underwhelming without the castle building itself, but walkers on the coastal path absolutely should stop here. It's free, obviously, and there's no gate or barrier.

Combine it with Crooklets Beach or Summerleaze Beach, both within walking distance of Bude town centre. If you're based at Pencuke Farm Holiday Cottages or Rosebud Farm Touring Park, both just outside Bude, you could easily fit this into a morning walk before heading elsewhere along the coast. The clifftop location means it can get windy, so pick a calm day if you want to linger.