Bude Canal

The Bude Canal Regeneration Story.

The Bude Canal was built to transport sand, coal and limestone to farms in rural North-Cornwall and North-Devon to improve the crops and soil. With its arms stretching all the way to the Tamar Lakes, past Holsworthy and as far as Launceston, it was a welcome waterway to carry goods further inland. First thought of in 1774 when a 91 mile incline plane canal was on the cards,a substantially less ambitious canal was finally opened in 1823. With the opening of the canal both canal basins were developed - Petherick's storehouse, now converted into flats, still stands proudly at the higher basin, together with Petherick's mill. Down at the lower basin the Olive Tree, the Barkhouse and the old Museum (which used to be a smithy) still tell their tale.

Sadly, the Canal fell into disuse over the last century.  Sections were sold and mother Nature reclaimed the land and only a small stretch, from Bude to Helebridge, remained navigable. However, thanks to the Bude Canal Regeneration Project many original features of the canal have been restored, including the locks, bridges, towpaths & lower wharf.  Combined with the regeneration has been the provision of the Bude Tourist Information and Canal Interpretation Centre. This innovative showpiece exhibition and information centre has recently opened its doors. Visitors to the centre will find all they need to know about the Canal and information walks and leaflets encouraging you to explore the canal and all its heritage on foot, canoe, kayak or rowing boat.

Also worth a visit is the refurbished Bude Castle which is known now as The Castle Heritage Centre, a real asset for the area.  Included in the centre are a shop, gallery, heritage displays and local archives.  A quality restaurant with excellent sea views is included as a franchised business.

See also, the Bude Marshes