DONATE
BECOME A MEMBER
BOOK A BOAT TRIP
The Basingstoke Canal Society is a registered charity and your valued donations will help us fund vital works to maintain this beautiful and valued space for us all to continue to enjoy.
Your membership will make a difference. Become a member for as little as £15 per year. Your annual donation helps us continue our work and projects to maintain the Canal.
Enjoy the Canal from a different angle. Find out more and book your tickets online to experience the Basingstoke Canal at a peaceful pace from Woking or Odiham.
DONATE
The Basingstoke Canal Society is a registered charity and your valued donations will help us fund vital works to maintain this beautiful and valued space for us all to continue to enjoy.
BECOME A MEMBER
Your membership will make a difference. Become a member for as little as £15 per year. Your annual donation helps us continue our work and projects to maintain the Canal.
BOOK A BOAT TRIP
Enjoy the Canal from a different angle. Find out more and book your tickets online to experience the Basingstoke Canal at a peaceful pace from Woking or Odiham.
Discover the Basingstoke Canal
Volunteer with us
Join over 300 other volunteers, meet new people, make friends and support this beautiful green space.
Whether you'd like to be out in the fresh air or help more behind the scenes, check out our latest openings or get in touch to find out how you could help.
Visit our online shop
If you're looking for a gift for a loved one or even yourself, take a look in our online shop for useful publications, books, tea towels, jigsaws and more!
Even better, all sales provide vital funds for us to continue our work.
Latest news
Mark & Nicola (volunteer Lengthsmen) walked the Western End of the canal recently.
As the canal water levels are low it meant they could get at rubbish that has been unreachable until now.
Inspired by other volunteers efforts they also took the opportunity to clean 2 information boards (see the before and after photos).
The other board, by the tunnel had already been cleaned, but they plan to return to check and to treat all the board frames on
another visit.
They also highlighted an oak branch that's fallen (west of marker 52) & whilst it is clear of the towpath is clear the tree it's landed on will be checked by the Rangers next time they are in the area.
Lenghsmen provide an invaluable resource for the BCS and the BCA (Basingstoke Canal Authority) litter picking, tidying, trimming etc … and any information about anything else the see they feedback to the Lengthsman manager who then coordinates with the BCA highlighting issues for the attention of the Ranger team.
Many thanks to Mark, Nicola and all our wonderful Lengthsmen for your continued contributions & dedication.
“Dawn” heading to the dry dock at Deepcut recently.
Great news for those of you who didn’t get to book their Santa Cruise tickets, there is some availability but book soon to avoid disappointment 👇⬇️👇⬇️ #basingstokecanal #basingstoke_canal_societySanta Cruise 2025 Availability!
We do still have limited availability for this years trips! These are the dates and times that we have left . . .
Tuesday 9th December @ 14:30: Eight spaces left £16.00 each.
Tuesday 9th December @ 15:00: 12 spaces left £20.00 each.
Tuesday 9th December @ 15:30: Two spaces left £20.00 each.
Tuesday 9th December @ 18:00: Two spaces left £23.00 each.
Wednesday 10th December @ 14:30: Two spaces left £16.00 each.
Wednesday 10th December @ 15:00: Seven spaces left £20.00 each.
Wednesday 10th December @ 16:00: Two spaces left £23.00 each.
Thursday 11th December @ 14:30: Two spaces left £16.00 each.
Tuesday 16th December @ 14:30: Four spaces left £16.00 each.
Tuesday 16th December @ 15:00: 12 spaces left £20.00 each.
Wednesday 17th December @ 14:30: Six spaces left 16:00 each.
Wednesday 17th December @ 15:00: Two spaces left 20:00 each.
All other trips SOLD OUT.
*Where there is only two spaces left and only one of your group is a child, or under one year old, do give us a call as we can offer a limited number of 'walker' spaces to other adults.
Walker spaces cost £8.00 and walkers get to walk along the Canal keeping the boat in sight (offering a good photo opportunity), then meet the boat at the jetty, go down the trail and visit Santa with the group, and can swap with the adult on the boat on the way back if they want to.
To book, please call the Canal Visitor Centre on 01252 370073 (between 9:00 - 16:30, Monday - Thursday, 9:00 - 15:30, Friday) or pop in and book in person (opening hours: 10:30 - 16:00, Tuesday to Thursday, 10:30 - 15:45, Friday).
Now here’s a very welcome sight back with the Tuesday Volunteers this week.
It’s our lovely BCA Ranger Jayne who was warmly welcomed back by our volunteers with a huge round of applause; she’s been sorely missed so having her back is the best news ever.
We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome a new Ranger, Keith, to the team.
#basingstoke_canal_society #basingstokecanal
We are delighted to offer some really interesting volunteer opportunities currently available with the Basingstoke Canal Society.
If you think any of these roles are for you or anyone you know we would love to hear from you …..
ROLE 1 : Helping overview the Society’s IT
As with all charities we are increasingly using IT in all aspects of our work. We have various experienced people running, for example membership, web site, boat bookings, etc but we need help with someone overviewing IT, coordination and planning.
We need a new volunteer who would have general IT experience along with organisational and teamwork skills.
It is a fascinating role and the individual(s) would be working as part of a team and getting involved with many parts of the Society. Recognising that it is a volunteer role we would be suggesting a time commitment of around 3-4 hours a week.
ROLE 2 : Social Media Team
We currently have a very active Social Media presence but need more help to plan and get our message out. We are therefore looking for someone to join our Social Media/Marketing team to further increase our local profile. In this we welcome new ideas and as such it is a really interesting and creative role.
ROLE 3 : Trustees
There is the opportunity to get involved and help lead the Society either as a Trustee or supporting one of our existing trustees (with the opportunity of a full trustee position at a later date). We already have a range of skills on the Board but we are in looking to get others involved in supporting the following trustees:
* Projects
* Health & Safety
* Building links with local businesses
* IT
* Working with local councils
Either as a trustee or in a ‘deputy’ role, provides a real opportunity to get involved in the work and direction of the Society and in so doing, directly help protect this wonderful local amenity for use by the community and boats for navigation.
If you are interested in finding out how you could get involved please contact us and meet one of our existing trustees to understand our plans and discuss how you could use your skills. Time commitment is flexible.
ROLE 4 : Support recruiting new volunteers
We are a totally volunteer led charity with over 300 volunteers and on average 2 more joining us each week. However we need help with new volunteer enquiries and then following through with the admin to track and support volunteers. It’s great fun and very rewarding helping volunteers get involved with the charity. You would be working with the existing volunteer coordinator. Flexible with around 3 hours work a week.
ROLE 5 : Building Links with Local Businesses.
We work with local businesses both in terms of corporate volunteering, sponsorship and supporting the canal. Indeed we have been particularly successful with corporate volunteer days and want to build on this with both local businesses and major employers along the canal.
If you are from a corporate or local business background, or have a marketing bent and would like to join the team to help get local business more involved, and have ideas on how to do this, we would love to hear from you.
ROLE 6: Chobham Talks Organiser.
We are looking for someone to take over this existing and interesting role.
The Society organises a talk at the Chobham Recreation Ground Pavilion on the evening of the fourth Wednesday of each winter month between October and April. The usual format is a talk about the Canal or an associated or local subject typically lasting between 45 and 60 minutes followed by a break for tea or coffee and Q&A.
The organiser will arrange the speaker programme and liaise with them on the evenings of the talks. There will be help in setting up the venue on the evening and the organiser is well supported by a fellow volunteer who will continue to help and has previously chaired the evening in the organiser’s absence.
To find out more about any of these roles or any other opportunities to volunteer with the BCS please contact us by completing the form in this link:-
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfd3wm6W2i-cS9miDdlQDyDWinRsKerIp1WShaNHOQzQ2Iig/viewform
All the available roles and how to apply are also in the link below ⬇️
basingstoke-canal.org.uk/volunteer/volunteering-roles/
#basingstoke_canal_society #basingstokecanal
#Volunteering
#volunteeringisfun
From our BCA colleagues at Canal HQ.
The canal is stunning during the Autumn months.
#basingstoke_canal_society
#basingstokecanal
It’s not that “hidden” but is in fact very well known to us & users of the Basingstoke Canal.
The Inglis Pyramid Bridge aka the Inglis Pipe Bridge has a Grade II listing and is located near Laffan's Road in Aldershot, close to Aldershot Wharf car park.
www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/hampshire-news/hidden-bridge-helped-win-both-32380801?utm_term=Autofeed&...
More about the history of this bridge and all the others that cross the Basingstoke Canal can be found in this BCS book available to purchase from our online shop:-
basingstoke-canal.org.uk/product/the-bridges-of-the-basingstoke-canal-by-peter-whitlock/
We also have a number of other publications you might like:-
basingstoke-canal.org.uk/shop/
Don’t forget we also have the new Canal Nature booklet in our online shop too.
#basingstoke_canal_society
#basingstokecanal
✨ A Very Special Celebration on the John Pinkerton II ✨
Last Sunday 28th September we were thrilled to welcome John and Jan Pinkerton on board our cruise boat, John Pinkerton II, to celebrate their Ruby Wedding Anniversary with 40 of their family and friends from Bedfordshire and Scotland. 💕
The couple were tagged in a Facebook post after a friend spotted the boat on the Basingstoke Canal – and with their love of sailing (they even got married on a yacht in the British Virgin Islands!), they knew celebrating on their namesake boat would make their day unforgettable.
The John Pinkerton II was beautifully decorated with the original bunting from their wedding yacht, spelling out a special message in nautical flags. The Blue Ensign – awarded to John during his time skippering yachts for the Royal BVI Yacht Club – also made a proud appearance on board. 🚩
Setting off from Colt Hill Wharf towards the Barley Mow in Winchfield, the group enjoyed a leisurely cruise through the stunning countryside, with plenty of time to reminisce and enjoy a classic fish & chips lunch.
And here’s a wonderful twist - while exploring their family history, Jan discovered that John is actually a distant cousin (3rd cousin, 7th removed!) of our John Pinkerton - the canal contractor who built the 39-mile Basingstoke Canal back in the 18th century. Once a vital route for transporting goods and a feat of 18th-century engineering, the canal now offers a place of peace and leisure. That the modern pleasure barge carries the name John Pinkerton made their anniversary cruise all the more significant, linking family history with the heritage of the canal itself.
John Pinkerton II operates during April–October from Colt Hill Wharf, Odiham, carrying up to 50 passengers. Alongside public trips and themed events, the boat can be hired for private parties, celebrations or meetings – complete with catering, licensed bar and plenty of space to relax and enjoy the serenity of the Basingstoke Canal.
👉 To find out more or book your own cruise, visit: www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk/book-a-boat-trip/
#BasingstokeCanal #Basingstoke_Canal_Society
#JohnPinkerton
#Canalcruise
#JohnPinkertonCanalCruise
#Hampshire
#Surrey
#Canal
#Barge
#Celebration
#RubyWedding #rubyweddinganniversary
At first glance you’d think these are some nice flowers or fruits, look a bit closer and they are in-fact poo bags that some lazy person has chucked over the fence from the canal towpath opposite the entrance to Wharfenden Lake (Lakeside).
A dog walker using these distinctive pink dog poo bags is throwing them over the fence into the adjacent land. There must be in excess of 30 in there; the What3words location is :-
///reversed.alpha.grand
One of our lengthsmen thinks he may have spotted the perpetrator (carrying similar unused bags) with two dogs further along the towpath on the day this photo was taken (Monday 29th September).
All lengthsmen doing this section have been asked to keep an eye out for this perpetrator but can we also ask members of the public to do the same.
This is totally unacceptable & must be stopped.
If you are this lazy & inconsiderate dog walker please stop and think, the discarded bags are an eyesore, pose an environmental hazard, and are a public nuisance that can escalate into larger dumping ground, if there are no bins you you are required to take “your dog” poo bags home.
Please note that no other bins will be provided by the BCA or either of the County Councils responsible for the canal due to lack of suitable access to empty them.
