Weekly Photo Archive from The Magic of Cornwall

Wednesday 27th June 2007 - Week 26

Bude, Widemouth Bay and Bude Canal (Part 2)

This week's photos are a continuation from last weeks posting and the conclusion of my circular walk from Bude to Widemouth Bay, inland to Helebridge and return along the Bude Canal. As Widemouth Bay comes into view you will pass the free car park on your left and proceed down to the beach. Where the path is diverted around a seafront property walk towards the road and directly opposite you will see a gate into a large field. This is the wheatfield you see below, and although very green at the moment the field should turn a lovely golden yellow with the ripening wheat very soon. Keeping to the well worn path skirting the fields and at one point crossing diagonally across you will see the hilltop village of Marhamchurch come into view, with Helebridge just below. From this point you can walk the path which follows the canal all the way into Bude and return to your car. Bude Canal was originally constructed in the 1820s to transport sand from Bude to the farms above Bude and into Devon near Holsworthy. Initially successful the canal declined due to better road transport and the coming of the railways to this area. It closed in the 1870s but has recently undergone some reconstruction with the help of EU funds. The Bude Canal and Harbour Society have a website where you can find more information.

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