Bude and Around5.71 StartBude Canal was originally conceived in 1774 as a 95-mile waterway from Bude harbour to the English Channel, its main purpose being to transport lime-rich sea sand inland for use as agricultural fertiliser. The scheme proved too ambitious and in the end, 35.5 miles of canal were built, completed in 1825. Work to restore the first two miles of the canal from Bude's sea lock to Helebridge was finished in 2009. From the car park turn L along the canal towpath, initially a dual use pedestrian/cycle route, but the two soon part company, the footpath continuing beside the canal and the cycle path forking L. Canoes and kayaks are a common sight on the canal, as are ducks and geese. Note the carved wooden 'resting posts'; the words on them are Cornish, the first you come to, named Lestriva, means shipyard. Shortly you reach another, Godhvewnans and the Bude Marshes bird hide on L. Continue past a wooden footbridge on your L until you reach a gate and Rodd's Bridge which crosses the canal.6.32Turn R across the bridge and continue along the towpath on the opposite side, the canal now on your L. (NB the OS maps misleadingly show the footpath continuing on the original/east side, then on the west side, from a point where there is no footbridge!) Pass lock gates, then a small path on R, then a second set of lock gates and weir. Pass footbridge on L, and signpost for footpath to Widemouth Bay, and continue to car park, bearing round R to skirt perimeter of lake.10.43Turn L at public footpath sign and follow path that curves uphill towards hedge on far R with gate. Continue across fields to Widemouth Bay coastal road. Cross and carry on ahead to pass to R of dwellings to join Coast Path.6.34Turn R and follow the grassy cliff top Coast Path north back to Bude, enjoying the magnificent coastal views. At the northern end of Efford Down just before Bude Haven is Compass Point, an octagonal tower, with the points of the compass inscribed on each face. Head downhill and turn R above the breakwater, and then descend some steps, cross the sea lock, and turn R (canal on your R again) back to the start.Bude and Around5.71 StartBude Canal was originally conceived in 1774 as a 95-mile waterway from Bude harbour to the English Channel, its main purpose being to transport lime-rich sea sand inland for use as agricultural fertiliser. The scheme proved too ambitious and in the end, 35.5 miles of canal were built, completed in 1825. Work to restore the first two miles of the canal from Bude's sea lock to Helebridge was finished in 2009. From the car park turn L along the canal towpath, initially a dual use pedestrian/cycle route, but the two soon part company, the footpath continuing beside the canal and the cycle path forking L. Canoes and kayaks are a common sight on the canal, as are ducks and geese. Note the carved wooden 'resting posts'; the words on them are Cornish, the first you come to, named Lestriva, means shipyard. Shortly you reach another, Godhvewnans and the Bude Marshes bird hide on L. Continue past a wooden footbridge on your L until you reach a gate and Rodd's Bridge which crosses the canal.5.94.555.94.77.48.45.35.666.36.35.96.55.56.32Turn R across the bridge and continue along the towpath on the opposite side, the canal now on your L. (NB the OS maps misleadingly show the footpath continuing on the original/east side, then on the west side, from a point where there is no footbridge!) Pass lock gates, then a small path on R, then a second set of lock gates and weir. Pass footbridge on L, and signpost for footpath to Widemouth Bay, and continue to car park, bearing round R to skirt perimeter of lake.64.98.18.38.3810.61011.710.211.48.79.5109.89.59.510.43Turn L at public footpath sign and follow path that curves uphill towards hedge on far R with gate. Continue across fields to Widemouth Bay coastal road. Cross and carry on ahead to pass to R of dwellings to join Coast Path.21.525.935.845.847.647.345.736.129.323.415.914.96.34Turn R and follow the grassy cliff top Coast Path north back to Bude, enjoying the magnificent coastal views. At the northern end of Efford Down just before Bude Haven is Compass Point, an octagonal tower, with the points of the compass inscribed on each face. Head downhill and turn R above the breakwater, and then descend some steps, cross the sea lock, and turn R (canal on your R again) back to the start.6.228.332.432.931.935.940.646.154.119.65858.752.347.547.558.961.152.34657.961.446.748.84427.647.227.950.849.753.933.953.759.616.539.92.73.736.628.347.254.759.43552.544.625.933.230.73012.719.66.2-2.2-2.2-2.2-2.26.16.55.75.15.1714.714.713.621.18.5-2.21412.2613.713.72027.639.238.141.840.638.134.618.324.228.429.629.62.7244450.548.947.247.250.738.323.725.132.927.143.950.529.724.330.734.322.329.931.868.457.770.665.283.697.298.1109.8110.1110.1113107.299.298.7102.4102.693.186.484.374.870.258.25146.24346.649.445.74628.624.421.219.28.69.820.526.928.934.836.439.633.33433.628.32615.712.812.87.78.813.314.6