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  1. Canals of England and Wales

Bude Canal

The Bude Canal was a canal built to serve the hilly hinterland in the Devon and Cornwall border area, chiefly to transport lime-bearing sand for agricultural fertiliser. The Bude Canal system was one of the most unusual in Britain.

It was remarkable in using inclined planes to haul tub boats on wheels to the upper levels. There were only two conventional locks, in the short broad canal section near the sea at Bude itself. It had a total extent of 35 miles (56 km), and it rose from sea level to an altitude of 433 feet (132 m).

The canal opened in 1823 and all except the seaward end closed in 1893. The section from Falcon Bridge to the Sea Lock remains in use and acts as a harbour for Bude. Access to the Sea Locks is only possible at high water.
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  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    The Barge at Bude is a waterbased refreshment room. It is a purpose built traditional wide beam barge constructed in 2015 and opened in 2016. During the winter it trades from the sheltered canal basin, moving to a location near the sea locks for the summer season where these is convenient access to the beach. it is well worth a visit.

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Sailing boats in the canal basin

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    View through the Sea Lock towards Bude Breakwater.

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    View towards the basin from the inner gate of the Sea Lock.

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Inner gate of the Sea Lock

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Fishermen's tackle by the Sea Lock

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    The Sea Lock

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Breakwater and the approach channel to the Bude Canal sea lock.

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    The Sea Lock

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    The sea lock.

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Canal buildings were once in use as the Bude - Stratton Museum. The Museum has relocated to Bude Castle Heritage Centre and these buildings are now retail outlets.

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    View towards Falcon Bridge - the low air draught of which now limits navigation of larger vessels to outer basin. This was once a swing bridge.

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Canal overflow sluice

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Boats in the outer basin

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Canal buildings which at the time the photograph was taken were in use as the Bude - Stratton Museum. The Museum has relocated to Bude Castle Heritage Centre and these buildings are now retail outlets.

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    The Barge at Bude is a waterbased refreshment room. It is a purpose built traditional wide beam barge constructed in 2015 and opened in 2016. During the winter it trades from the sheltered canal basin, moving to a location near the sea locks for the summer season where these is convenient access to the beach. it is well worth a visit.

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    View to Falcon Bridge. The present stone clad concrete bridge was built in 1962 replacing a traditional swing bridge. The low air draught of the bridge means that only small boats can proceed to the upper basin. The cream coloured building is the harbour master's office.

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    The Barge at Bude is a waterbased refreshment room. It is a purpose built traditional wide beam barge constructed in 2015 and opened in 2016. During the winter it trades from the sheltered canal basin, moving to a location near the sea locks for the summer season where these is convenient access to the beach. it is well worth a visit.

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    View across the lower basin showing The Barge - a new purpose built floating eatery which opened in 2016.

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    The Wharf in the lower basin. This was once linked to Bude station by a branch line.

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Canal side buildings at the Lower Basin have been transformed in recent years into a variety of eateries and retail outlets.

  • Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    Bude Canal, Cornwall - April 10, 2019

    This former canal warehouse is now the Olive Tree Coffee House and Bistro.

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