Attractions on the Canal

See the ruins of Odiham Castle at North Warnborough, from where King John rode in 1215 to sign the Magna Carta. Visit the Canal Visitor Centre, exhibition, tea room, hire boats, and more.

A Waterway for all interests One of the special attractions of the waterway is that it caters for a wide variety of interests. For long distance walkers, afternoon strollers, canal cruisers, canoeists, anglers, wildlife observers, artists, photographers, cyclists or those who want a place to picnic, the waterway is a unique facility for people of all ages to enjoy. There are numerous opportunities for recreation on the Canal and the following list of services and organisations will help you make the most of your visit:  Trip boats 'John Pinkerton' 50-seat traditional style canal narrowboat, operated by the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society: public trips and private charter parties.

See the ruins of Odiham Castle at North Warnborough, from where King John rode in 1215 to sign the Magna Carta. Visit the Canal Visitor Centre, exhibition, tea room, hire boats, and more.

Hotel Narrowboats Heart of England Hotel Narrowboats Holidays afloat on the Basingstoke and other canals. Tel: (UK) 0831 566373  Hire boats Galleon Marine Based at Colt Hill, Odiham has holiday narrowboats, motor day boats, canoes, punts and rowing boats for hire. Chandlery, boat storage and all services. Tel: (UK) 01256 703691.

Canal Clubs and Societies The Basingstoke Canal Angling Association is a consortium of local clubs formed to manage the canal as a fishery, including pike, carp, tench, bream, chub, roach, rudd and grayling. Day, monthly or season tickets are available at local tackle shops. Tel: (UK) 01252 549974. The Basingstoke Canal Boating Club is open to all boat owners and users, motorised or unpowered, as well as canal enthusiasts. The club promotes boating interests and organises boat gatherings and other social events. Membership Secretary: Mrs Bobby King. Tel: 01252 325268. The Basingstoke Canal Canoe Club is a family orientated canoe club that aims to introduce parents and children to the sport of canoeing. The club meets, during the summer months, at the Canal Centre in Mytchett. You can find all the information you need about the club and its various activities, from its web site - www.b3c.org.uk. NE Hants Water Activities Centre based at Courtmoor School, Fleet, offers canoeing instruction for mainly Youth Groups - Guides, Scouts, Schools etc. - but also for Disabled Groups and Further Education Courses for BCU Awards. Tel: (UK) 01252 621381 (Mrs T. Davey) . The Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society formed for the restoration of the Basingstoke Canal.  Boat and Fishing Licenses Boat: The canal is accessible by boat from the Wey Navigation (water supplies permitting) or by slipways at Mytchett, Aldershot and Winchfield. All boats require an annual or short term visitor's licence. Applications in person or by post from The Basingstoke Canal Authority. Fishing: Day, monthly or season tickets are available at local tackle shops.  Walking: Canal Towpath Trail The Basingstoke Canal Towpath Trail is a permissive footpath which stretches 33½ miles from Penny Bridge to its junction with the River Wey at Woodham. It is a wonderfully scenic route, passing through a wide range of habitats from woodland and heathland to wetland and pasture, each supporting a different community of plants and animals. Wildlife has flourished in the canal's clear water, creating Britain's best site for water plants and dragonflies. And there are many sights along the way, including Odiham Castle, the Deepcut flight of locks, aqueducts, scenic villages and historic buildings. The towpath is level and well maintained, providing a safe and interesting route with plenty of access points. It is clearly marked and there are information points and picnic areas along the way. The canal acts as a green corridor linking the waterway with the wider countryside and connecting with many other trails, creating exciting possibilities for long distance walks. The Towpath Trail is highly accessible. There are several railway stations near the canal giving walkers the option of walking one way and returning by train. There are excellent road connections and several car parks along the length of the canal. Almost back to Basingstoke! The canal towpath has been reinstated as far as Up Nately, 3½ miles from Basingstoke and currently the limit of the Towpath Trail. Basingstoke bus station was built on the site of the terminus of the Basingstoke. For further information, please see: Hampshire's website: www.hants.gov.uk/discover/places/bascanal.html

Last updated January 2005