Widemouth Bay

Widemouth Bay is a broad sand-and-rock surf beach just south of Bude on Cornwall's Atlantic-facing north coast, and it is one of the more relaxed places to fly in the area. At low water a huge expanse of firm sand opens up beneath low, layered cliffs, giving you plenty of uncluttered launch space and clean sightlines out over the breakers. The land here is not National Trust, so taking off and landing from the public beach and the roadside pull-ins is straightforward, though you should still keep well back from surfers, dog walkers and the busy summer crowds. There is no airport Flight Restriction Zone nearby, with Newquay roughly 40km to the south, so the airspace is open class G. Keep clear of the cliff faces in spring and summer where gulls and fulmars nest, and be honest with yourself about the wind, as the exposed Atlantic swell can bring strong, gusty onshore breezes that punish small aircraft. Fly early or on a settled autumn day and you will have dramatic sunset light, big skies and easy parking right behind the beach.