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
The ever popular Odiham Raft Race returns on Saturday 6th Sept at Colt Hill, RG29 1DH. This will be the 7th Raft Race, unfortunately there wasn’t one in 2025 so it wonderful to see that it’s come back for this year.
Applications to take part in the Raft Race can be found on the Galleon Marine website link below 👇👇👇
galleonmarine.co.uk/raftrace/
Our wonderful BCS events team will be there on the day with our Society’s stall with books, pamphlets & other items for sale, please visit them for any information you need to know about the Basingstoke Canal or how you can support the brilliant work Basingstoke Canal Society.
#basingstokecanal #basingstoke_canal_society
#bcs60
Odiham Raft Race - Galleon Marine Narrowboat Holidays & Day Hire
galleonmarine.co.uk
The Annual Odiham Raft Race Founded in 2018 2026 – The 7th Odiham Raft Race Event – Sunday 6th September 2026 This years Odiham Raft Race will be held on Sunday 6th September 2026. We will be shar...
This week's Friday Find It ....
Where and what are these remains?
#basingstoke_canal_society #basingstokecanal
The second 60th anniversary video snippet is dedicated to the Society’s old steam dredger, Perseverance, which was launched on the Canal at Colt Hill on 24th July 1974.
You can read the story of how it was found abandoned, rescued and restored for its second lease of life dredging the Hampshire end of the Canal over the next 18 years at 30 metres a weekend (!) in our booklet "Perseverance - Dredging the Basingstoke Canal." basingstoke-canal.org.uk/product/perseverance-dredging-the-basingstoke-canal-roger-cansdale/
#basingstoke_canal_society #basingstokecanal #bcs60
The next 60th anniversary cruise and talk on the John Pinkerton II is on August 13th at 2pm. As you cruise between Colt Hill, Odiham and Barley Mow, Peter Whitlock will share his knowledge of the history and construction of the bridges of the Basingstoke Canal as you pass under them.
For more information and to book your place, please visit: basingstoke-canal.org.uk/events/cruise-and-talk-bridges-of-the-basingstoke-canal-jp-6j13g2/
#basingstoke_canal_society #basingstokecanal #bcs60
A huge thank you to the volunteers from Farnborough Airport for your hard work at Ash Lock. We're glad you had a rewarding day helping us safeguard the Canal for future generations. It's very much appreciated.
If you know of other businesses or organisations that are looking for team building/volunteering opportunities, information can be found here: basingstoke-canal.org.uk/corporate-supporters/
#basingstokecanal
Huge congratulations to the Accessible Boating Association who are celebrating their 40th Anniversary.
Further details of their celebrations in the link below 👇👇
www.facebook.com/share/p/18xvcsKybi/?mibextid=wwXIfr
#basingstokecanal #basingstoke_canal_society
#bcs60Our July Heroes
On the 40th Anniversary of ABA ( Accessible Boating Association) Fleet Lions recognised their amazing achievement. From the "Mildred Stocks" pontoon style boat, built by apprentices at the RAE, to the customised broad hull "Dawn" which enables up to 10 with mobility challenges to enjoy the beauty of the Basingstoke Canal. ABA also operate narrow boat "Madam Butterfly " which enables families to enjoy short holidays. During the season (April to October) dedicated volunteers take out over 50 people for a well deserved break each week.
Well done ABA
As part of our 60th anniversary, we've put together a list of 60 things to do along the Basingstoke Canal. #1 is "Walk along the Canal towpath" when you could spot a heron (#4), find different coloured dragonflies (#8) and even a kingfisher (#14).
The full list can be found on our website: basingstoke-canal.org.uk/documents/basingstoke-canal-60-things-to-do-2026.pdf
#basingstoke_canal_society #basingstokecanal #bcs60
Our friends from The Mikron Theatre are back close to the Canal on 21st July & will be performing “Wensleydale Whey" at The Mill House, North Warnborough, Odiham RG29 1ET.
#basingstokecanal #basingstoke_canal_society
#bcs60
This week's Friday Find It ...
Where will you find this plaque?
#basingstoke_canal_society #basingstokecanal
Last 2 weeks! - 2027 Calendar Photo Competition
The entry deadline is fast approaching - Thursday 31 July 2026. Just 2 more weeks to dig out your best shots or capture something new.
👓What we’re looking for:
• Colour photographs
• Landscape format
• High resolution (suitable for A4 at 300dpi – roughly 1MB JPG)
There’s no limit to how many photos you can submit, but entries must be from amateur photographers.
📧 How to enter:
Email your photos to editor@basingstoke-canal.org.uk
(Please note: entries shared on social media can’t be included.)
Top tip:
Winning images often feature a clear focal point – perhaps a boat, a person or a moment that's connected to our 60th Anniversary. If people appear in your photo, please ensure you have their written permission if they are recognisable. And don’t forget – your image must have a connection to the Basingstoke Canal.
We’ve included a few previous winners to inspire you…
Good luck – we can’t wait to see your photos!
#basingstoke_canal_society #basingstokecanal
