The Otters of Bude Canal
The recently restored length of canal between
Bude and Helebridge is now home to a family of wild otters. The
otters roam around the the canal, the river Neet and the wildlife
reserve marshlands in between. The photos (Courtesy of Don
Goodwin) on
this page were taken during February 2010 within 2 miles of our
campsite. The stretch of canal in the main image above is 100
yards from the A39 and about 50 from the car park making these
beautiful and endearing animals accessible to all. 
The Canal Towpath provides a smooth well maintained surface with good wheel chair access and, even if you are not fortunate enough to spot an otter, provides a pleasant walk to or from Bude. For the more energetic the walk can be made into a circular route by following the footpath across the fields from the carpark at Helebridge to meets the cliff top coastal path which leads back to Bude. This walk can be started from the Widemouth Bay or Bude pay and display carparks or from one of the 2 (free) carparks at Helebridge.
