Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2009 20:11:06 GMT
I was around Bude today and walked the tow path of the Bude Canal which has recently seen a number of improvements including restored lock gates and a resurfaced path. There's only a couple of miles of water left these days - from the sea lock to Helebridge - from a system which once extended as far as Launceston. The main purpose of the canal was to ship sand inland for use as a fertiliser.
There's a fair amount of detail on Wiki as well as an outline at
www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=13350 (from where the map below is taken).
You'll see there is a clear circular route but - should you want a marvellous contrast between pastoral countryside and rugged coastal scenery - you can cut across the fields from Helebridge to near Widemouth Bay and walk back to Bude along the cliffs. Alternatively, as I did today, head inland to Marhamchurch and through the lanes to Stratton and back to Bude. Whichever route you choose, take advantage of the tea garden at Helebridge (closed on Thursdays):
www.visitbude.info
There's a fair amount of detail on Wiki as well as an outline at
www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=13350 (from where the map below is taken).
You'll see there is a clear circular route but - should you want a marvellous contrast between pastoral countryside and rugged coastal scenery - you can cut across the fields from Helebridge to near Widemouth Bay and walk back to Bude along the cliffs. Alternatively, as I did today, head inland to Marhamchurch and through the lanes to Stratton and back to Bude. Whichever route you choose, take advantage of the tea garden at Helebridge (closed on Thursdays):
www.visitbude.info
