Is Marhamchurch a good place to live? Yes, if you want a proper Cornish village, with a pub, shop and school, a mile and a half from the beaches at Bude. Marhamchurch sits on a ridge just south of Bude, in the EX23 postcode, off the A39.
Marhamchurch at a glance
| Where | North Cornwall, just south of Bude, off the A39 |
| Postcode | EX23 |
| To Bude | About 1.5 miles, five minutes |
| Nearest transport hub | Bude |
| In the village | Community shop, Bullers Arms pub, primary school, village hall, two churches, playing field |
| Biggest event | Marhamchurch Revel, the Monday after 12 August |
Marhamchurch is what Bude’s estate agents mean when they say “village within easy reach of the beach”. Close enough to cycle to the sea, far enough that August stays a rumour.
The old heart of the village has been a conservation area since 1997, and it shows. Here’s what makes it special.
The Revel: the best day of the year
Every year, on the Monday after 12 August, Marhamchurch holds its Revel, a festival with medieval roots that celebrates St Marwenne, who founded the village. A schoolgirl chosen by her classmates is crowned Queen of the Revel by Old Father Time, whose real identity is a closely guarded village secret. She then leads a procession through the village on horseback to the Revel field for an afternoon of music, morris dancing and games.
Name another village that does that. I’ll wait.
Village life in Marhamchurch
For a small village, Marhamchurch has the lot: a community-run village shop, the Bullers Arms, a primary school, a playing field, the Bray village hall and both a parish church and a Methodist chapel. St Marwenne’s, the Grade I listed church, has stood at the top of the village since the 14th century.
Marhamchurch CofE Academy is a proper village school, the kind that turns out for a beach clean at Widemouth and lights the village beacon.
The canal, the coast and Bude
The old Bude Canal runs below the village, and its towpath gives you flat, traffic-free miles into Bude for bikes, buggies and dogs. Widemouth Bay is a few minutes’ drive the other way, and Summerleaze and the sea pool are five minutes up the road. Read the full Bude guide.
Homes and house prices in Marhamchurch
- A bit of history: stone and cob cottages in the conservation area around the church and village square.
- Family homes: houses and bungalows on the newer roads around the old core, walking distance to the school.
- Room to breathe: farmhouses and barn conversions in the lanes around the parish.
Being this close to Bude, Marhamchurch is popular, and prices reflect it. Buying a second home? Since 1 April 2025, Cornwall Council has charged double council tax on second homes. Budget for it before you offer.
For the latest local figures every month, read Plot & Shore.
The honest bit
It’s a hilltop village, so the walk back up from the canal will keep you honest. Bude’s summer traffic is five minutes away, even if it doesn’t reach you. Homes in the conservation area come with extra planning rules, so check before you plan an extension. And check the broadband at the exact address before you fall in love.
Living in Marhamchurch: quick answers
Where is Marhamchurch?
A village in north Cornwall, about a mile and a half south of Bude, just off the A39. Its postcode is EX23.
When is Marhamchurch Revel?
Every year on the Monday after 12 August, starting with the crowning of the Queen of the Revel by Old Father Time.
Does Marhamchurch have a pub and shop?
Yes. The Bullers Arms is the village pub, and there’s a community-run village shop.
What schools are near Marhamchurch?
Marhamchurch CofE Academy is the village primary. For secondary, Budehaven Community School in Bude takes students from 11 to 18.
Do second homes in Marhamchurch pay extra council tax?
Yes. Cornwall Council has charged a 100% premium on second homes since 1 April 2025.
About the author. Mat Loach has worked in estate agency for 20 years. He lives on the Devon and Cornwall border between Bude and Holsworthy, and spends most weekends on the beaches and cliff paths of north Cornwall.
Sources: Marhamchurch Parish Council; A Church Near You; The Post; Calendar Customs; Cornwall Council.
Fancy a look round?
If you’re thinking about a move to Marhamchurch, I’m always happy to chat it through over a coffee in Bude. No pitch, just a local view.