The seaward end of the Bude Canal meets the Atlantic at Summerleaze Beech via its only locks. It was built to take agricultural lime and sand inland

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The Bude canal was started in 1819, completed in 1825 but in use in 1823. It ran from Bude to near Lanceston to transport lime for agriculture. There were steep inclines to overcome and a poor supply of water so the conventional system of locks was not used. Instead the wide canal entrance at Bude was used as a port to offload cargo on to small, flat-bottomed boats called tubs. These were then dragged up purpose built slopes called planes. Connected by chains the tubs were hauled up and down the planes using power from water wheels. The largest plane however used a counter balancing system of water tanks. Connecting the sea to Holsworthy and Launceston meant lime and sand to be brought inland to improve the soil for agriculture.

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Size: 5923px × 3801px
Location: Bude Canal, Bude, Cornwall, England, UK
Photo credit: © Graham Johns / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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