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.
The Bude Canal & Harbour Society are working to reopen the full lower section of the canal from the foot of the Marhamchurch Incline to the Sea Lock and make it navigable once again. The Rodd's Bridge / Lower Pound Lock has already been restored.
Read MoreIt 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.
The Bude Canal & Harbour Society are working to reopen the full lower section of the canal from the foot of the Marhamchurch Incline to the Sea Lock and make it navigable once again. The Rodd's Bridge / Lower Pound Lock has already been restored.
