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Landscape
Celtic Cornwall
Ancient Sites
Where to Go
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Walking Phillip's Point to Bude Haven - 1.6 milesOS Explorer 111: grid reference SX200043 to SX208062 View Map Walk Duration 2 hours
Park your car at the Crescent Car Park, Bude. Explore the Tourist Information Centre if it is open. We decided to have a gentle introductory walk from the car along the Bude Canal to Rodd's Bridge and make our way via Upton to our previous end-point at Phillip's Point. Head towards the canal with the T.I.C behind you. Turn left passing a Rescue Buoy, one of many along this walk. Follow the tranquil banks for about 10 minutes usually passing a few coarse fishermen along the way. Look to your left on this stretch and see if you can spot the small metal milestone stating 'Bude 1 mile'. After a further 10 minutes and about 100 metres before the brightly painted Rodd's Bridge pass another Rescue Buoy - Grid Ref SX210050 before crossing the bridge to turn right and make your way up past 'Ciderpress Cottage' and an old post box. The road continues climbing, passing Upton Park on your right. Just after Old Upton you get your first glimpse of the sea. Walk to the right as indicated by the customary waymark post as your route climbs steadily to the 50m (164ft) contour and your true start point.
The path now runs along the cliff top on its way north climbing to a height of 62m (203ft). Go on through the kissing gate and then pass the remains of an old iron flagpole. Choose the seaward kissing gate at Efford Cliff - Grid Ref SX202056 and head towards the eight sided storm tower on Compass Point. This was built in the 1820's as a Coastguard Shelter - its sides indicating the points of a compass. The slate floor is a little uneven in places so don't trip up on entering. Now about 45 minutes after leaving Phillip's Point make your way down the slope passing assorted benches, a flagpole and a telescope as you overlook The Breakwater, Bude Haven and the Summerleaze Swimming Pool.
Take the few granite steps to meet a metalled lane where you can opt to explore the breakwater if tides allow or simply make your way back to the car. We chose the first option and took 20 minutes out of our trip to explore. Pass the Torpedo Rescue Buoy for Bude Breakwater - Grid Ref SX201067.
This is an excellent place for photographs - Did you spot the Whales Back? Use the bench seats to relax on and really take in the scenery. Return to the path junction and waymark post and resume your walk. Reach the lock gates and walk across. Pass the 'Sand Rails' in front of the small museum and then simply cross the busy road to the car park and your vehicle. The round trip including time spent on the breakwater took 2 hours.
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