The Castle Heritage Centre

The Castle - 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)

For details the programme of current exhibitions click here

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

Admission Charges

under 5 years of age - free
children 5-15 (inclusive)- £2.50
family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children under 16) - £10.00
adults (16 and over) - £3.50
concessions: senior citizens (over 60)/students - £3.00
group prices on application

Season tickets are available

Adult £5
Concessions £4
Child £3
Family £12

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 357300
ckett@bude-stratton.gov.uk

Castle Shop
01288 357300