Bude Canal

Bude Canal is a waterway system in Cornwall and Devon that once stretched over 35 miles through farmland and countryside. The route used inclined planes and locks to move boats across different levels of terrain.

Built between 1819 and 1825, this waterway transported mineral-rich sand from the coast to farming areas for many decades. It fell out of use around 1891 as other transport methods became more practical.

The waterway shaped how people moved goods and connected communities across the countryside for generations. Today, locals and visitors use the towpath as a place for walking and cycling, keeping the route part of daily life.

The restored canal path starting from Bude is easiest to walk in the first two miles, where pathways are well-maintained and clearly marked. Wheelchair-accessible sections and information boards explain how the engineering system worked.

The Hobbacott Down section features one of Britain's steepest water-transport inclines, where boats were lifted and lowered using a system with water-filled buckets. This mechanical method allowed boats to move efficiently across major height differences.