Bude Through Time

In 1800, Bude would have been lucky to have a population of 100 people, but people flocked to the town for work when the canal, with its unique series of inclined planes, opened. When the canal closed, Bude would have crumbled, but for the developing tourist trade. The canal totally changed the topography in Bude. Victorian engineers built the breakwater and changed the course of the river to scour out a makeshift harbour. They also built a big sea lock. Today the breakwater is used by tourists for fabulous views to Summerleaze Beach and beyond, and for fishing. Bude has had its share of disasters. The River Neet flooded the Strand and the Crescent in 1903, the 1950s and 1993, and in 1891 there was a great blizzard. The Strand now looks very different to the 1860s when it was dominated by warehouses. As tourism impacted, many old buildings such as the cinema (demolished 1986) disappeared. Modern Bude has evolved, with changes to place names, buildings and focus, but it remains a beautiful town much loved by locals and visitors alike.