Walk - Bude - Coast & Canal

5.7 miles (9.1 km)

Falcon Hotel, Bude - EX23 8SD Falcon Hotel, Bude

Moderate - After a gentle climb out of Bude, the walk becomes easy and flat. There are no stiles along the route, although kissing gates will prevent access for some prams & wheelchairs. The section along the Bude canal is very accessible for wheelchairs and more details about it can be found on the Cornwall Council website. A Tramper all terrain mobility scooter is available for hire from Whalesborough Farm for use exploring the farm trails and canal path. Further information and booking details can be found on the Countryside Mobility SW website.

The walk takes in the Coast Path with lovely sea views, before turning inland across farmland to join the canal towpath back to Bude. An excellent walk for children - if the weather's good take a picnic and watch the boats and kayaks on the canal - or why not hire one yourself and take your picnic upstream? A fine route in spring, when there are ducklings and even cygnets on the canal, the hedges are full of primroses and celandines and warblers sing in the blossom-covered bushes. It is good in autumn too, when pipits and buntings find rich pickings in the stubble of the newly-harvested fields.

A good walk for dogs too as it passes a beach and pubs where dogs are welcome. Have a look at our Top Dog Walks on the South West Coast Path for more dog friendly beaches and pubs. 

Dogs on the coastpath

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Printable map

There are a range of wonderful places to lay your head near the Coast Path for a well-earned sleep. From large and luxurious hotels, to small and personable B&B's, as well as self-catering options and campsites. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Efford Down Campsite

07870 472448
Basic hillside camping right in the heart of Bude. Close to SWCP, cafes, pubs, beaches and shops.
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Sunrise Guesthouse

01288 353214
The Bude Guest House, Sunrise is situated 200m from the South West Coast Path offering opportunity to walk both north and south using us as your base.
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Tommy Jacks Beach Apartments

07869 809476
Modern Coastal Apartments and bedrooms by the Sea, with onsite bar and restaurant. Located just steps from Crooklets Beach and the South West Coast Path.
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Cann Orchard

07754 343847
3 traditional newly refurbished holiday cottages in tranquil woodland grounds with superb kitchens bathrooms and luxury comfort beds wood burner and enclosed garden
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Stones Throw Apartment

07905 101615
Contemporary self-contained apartment just 500m walk to beach and 10 mins from town centre.
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The Tree Inn

01288 352038
The Tree Inn is a charming former Manor House dating back to the C13th. We offer 6 comfortable rooms, 2 bars, restaurant and a flower filled courtyard.
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Penhalt Farm Holiday Park

01288 361210
Penhalt Farm is a working farm and the Holiday Park stands on an 8 acre site well equipped for touring caravanners or campers. Our aim at Penhalt Farm is that you enjoy a happy, peaceful time
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You'll be spoilt for choice for where to eat and drink along the Path. With lots of local seasonal food on offer, fresh from the farm, field and waters. Try our local ales, ciders, wines and spirits, increasing in variety by the year, as you sit in a cosy pub, fine dining restaurant or chilled café on the beach. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Brendon Arms

01288 354542
Bude's best known inn, owned and run by the Brendon family since 1872.Overlooking Bude's inner harbour and 200 yards from the unique sea-lock and Summerleazes Beach.
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Dizzy Dairy

07411 266230

Sheep Cheese Dairy and Shop where you can stop for Cheese and Biscuits with a Cuppa or Milk Shake or even book a tour

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What is on your list of things to do when you visit the Path? From walking companies, to help you tailor your visit, with itineraries and experts to enhance your visit, to baggage transfer companies and visitor attractions there are lots to people and places to help you decide what you'd like to do. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Bude Tourist Information Centre

01288 354240
Modern TIC, open 360 days of the year. Large resource of books, maps, guides, and local information. Free and comprehensive accommodation booking service/
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Trev's Taxi

07799 663217

A local taxi service based in Bude in the beautiful county of Cornwall. Providing an efficient service around Bude and surrounding areas. Particularly convenient for visitors walking the Coast Path.

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IndiGo Taxi

07811 969844
Bude and local area. Taxi service. Eight seat minibus ideal for larger parties. Large luggage capacity. Baggage transfers. Rail or air transfers.
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Bude. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton Lower Longbeak, Widemouth Bay, North Cornwall. Photographer David Carvey, Bodmin Bude canal sunset. Photographer Stephen Innalls, Cornwall. From Lower Longbeak towards Bude. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton SWCP ABOVE WIDMOUTH BAY Photographer PETER DOVEY (2012 Photo Competition entry) Daymer bay nr Bude Cornwall Photographer Alan Weston (2012 Photo Competition entry) Bude Photographer Mikey Powell (2012 Photo Competition entry) Efford Beacon above Bude. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton Red Sky At Night on Bude Beach. Photographer Evie Ryan, Bucks. Sunset at Bude Photographer kevin Tutchener (2012 Photo Competition entry) Compass Point Tower. Photographer Colin Milner.

Interactive Elevation

Route Description

  1. From the Falcon Hotel in Bude follow the Coast Path sign and pass St. Michael’s Church, originally built in the 19th century as a chapel of ease to nearby Stratton Church.

 The climb from here to the top of the cliff at Compass Point is rewarded by spectacular views of the beaches and town of Bude. This is a popular stretch with surfers and, while looking inland the magnificent high tors of Dartmoor can be seen on a clear day.

  1. Continue along the Coast Path until you reach Widemouth Bay (which is dog-friendly throughout the year). Just before the Bay View Inn and a little way after the car park at Lower Longbeak, you leave the Coast Path and cross the B road to a kissing gate with a public footpath sign. From here you follow a well-maintained path through lush fields, following the waymarks and passing through two small gates and two more kissing gates before reaching the historic canal path to Bude at Helebridge.

The Bude Canal was built in the early 1820s to carry the calcium-rich sea sand inland where it was used by farmers as fertiliser.

  1. Stay on the path on the left hand side, following the canal. The path eventually comes to a green bridge where you cross over to the path on the right hand side and continue to finish back at the car park and the Falcon Hotel.

Public transport

For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the bus stops, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Parking

Bude and Widemouth Bay (Postcode for Sat Navs: EX23 8LG).

The Falcon Hotel, Bude (Postcode for Sat Navs: EX23 8SD)

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