The Castle Heritage Centre - Bude

'A castle built on sand'

Formerly the home of Victorian inventor Sir Goldsworthy Gurney, The Castle is now a heritage centre with exhibition galleries, an archive with research facilities, an education room, shop and a restaurant with breathtaking views to the breakwater and Chapel Rock and over Summerleaze Beach to the sea beyond...

Ground Floor

The exhibitions on the ground floor focus on Bude and the surrounding area: its rich and varied geology and natural history, and the town's development as a port, later as a seaside resort and most recently as a surfing centre.

Over one hundred shipwrecks are recorded on the north coast of Cornwall between 1756 and 1969. Try the navigation interactive and see if you can steer your way through these treacherous waters

First Floor

The exhibitions continue on the first floor where you can find out about Sir Goldsworthy Gurney - Cornwall's 'Forgotten Genius' - and his many inventions. As well as his pioneering building, The Castle, which he constructed on sand he invented the world's first mechanised vehicle to travel over distance at sustained speed. He discovered limelight, used in theatres and music halls and developed the Bude Light which lit Trafalgar Square and the Houses Of Parliament

Visitors can model themselves against the Cornish Giant, Anthony Payne of Stratton - a Royalist hero in the English Civil War.

Willoughby Gallery

Temporary exhibitions are held in this room. Local artists can book the space for the display of their paintings/pottery/crafts etc which will be for sale on a commission basis. Local groups and organisations can also book the exhibition space for the display of their work. The Heritage Centre Manager co-ordinates the programme of exhibitions and it is he who you should contact if you would like to arrange an exhibition (contact details below)

Archives

If you would like to find out more about Bude and its Castle why not make an appointment to visit the archives and research library.

The archive office welcomes donations of artefacts, documents and photographs relating to all aspects of life in the Bude - Stratton area.

Education & Lifelong Learning

Please direct any enquiries to The Castle on 01288 357300 (contact details below)

Restaurant

The Castle Restaurant is now open Tel 01288 350543

Open every day 10am - 2pm (Sundays until 3pm) and every evening except Sunday

Shop

The Castle Shop has a wide range of gifts, souvenirs and books - particularly local history books

Facilities

Shop

Restaurant

Parking nearby

Toilets

Access

All levels are fully accessible

Lift

Induction loops are fitted throughout the exhibition galleries

Opening Times

Open every day

Easter week - end October 

10am - 5pm (last admission to the Heritage Centre - 4pm)

November - Easter week

10am - 4pm (last admission to the Heritage Centre - 3pm)

The archive suite is open by appointment

How to get there

From the A39 follow the signposts into Bude. Upon reaching the mini roundabout go straight ahead along 'The Crescent. Take the first turning on the right and The Castle is immediately in front of you. If you turn right at the Bude Light parking is available in the car park to the rear of the Parkhouse Centre (50p per hour); if you turn left at the Bude Light parking is also available in the Lower Wharf Car Park

Contact Details

The Castle

Bude

EX23 8LG

01288 357 300

ckett@bude-stratton.gov.uk

Castle Shop

01288 357 300