Bude Canal and the storms of 2008

The idea to build the Bude Canal was thought of by Cornishman John Edyvean in  1174.  In 1819 the Bude Harbour and Canal company was formed.

In the 1820's the Bude Canal was built. It was about 35 miles long and went from Bude to Holsworthy and Launceston. Water was fed into the canal from Tamer Lakes, and was used to carry calcium rich sea sand, which was used as fertilizer on poor soil by farmers further inland. It was also used to transport local produce.

The Lock opened in 1823, and allowed ships carrying limestone, coal and other merchandise to have access to the canal. The Lock has always remained in use for fishing boats.

The canal closed in the 1830's after the coming of the railways.

Only the first few miles of the canal are still in use for fishing and rowing boats.




In 1997, the storms caused severe damage to the Locks, but four years later, in October 2000, and around £1/2 million, they were ready for use again. They were reopened in May 2001.

In March 2008, high tides and strong gale force winds have once again damaged the lock gates and hinges, leading to more devastation.

 		      Large concrete blocks were put at the end of the canal to try and stop further damage by storm waves. The blocks were removed and a large wall of sandbags were placed there.
Large sandbags acting as a dam were placed at the canal basin to try and retain the water in the upper canal.  Fish have been rescued and been placed in holding pools further up the canal until the damage has been repaired.

The lock gates were rehung and the gates were kept closed, allowing the lower wharf of the canal to refill with water, following the large spring tides and rainy weather.    June 2008
    Photographs  © Anna Marrie  2008    
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