Log In. Greywell Tunnel to Swan Bridge. Packed full of facts and very interesting, here are my notes. It runs for 30 miles and 4¾ furlongs through 29 locks from Woodham Junction (where it joins the River Wey Wey Navigation) to Odiham Castle Stop (which is a dead end). Surveyed by William Jessop, the construction contract was awarded to John Pinkerton. Blueavocet. The route can be partly determined by noting that the canal falls between the 75 m and … The Canal walk goes through the Hampshire and Surrey countryside along the tree-lined towpath of the restored 200-year-old canal and through woodland, heathland, wetland and pasture. Re: Basingstoke canal. See more of Basingstoke Canal on Facebook. The Basingstoke Canal runs for 32 miles, from Greywell Village in Hampshire to Woodham in Surrey. Not Now. Today the Canal is in public ownership with 32 miles and 29 locks from King John's Castle to the Wey Navigation, restored and … Locks: 16: Status: open: Navigation authority: National Trust: History; Principal engineer: Sir Richard Weston: Other engineer(s) John Smeaton: Construction began: 1651: Date of first use: 1653: Date extended: 1764: Geography; Start point: River Thames: End point: Godalming (originally Guildford) Connects to: Basingstoke Canal Wey and Arun Junction Canal: Wey and Godalming Navigations . Find the perfect basingstoke canal stock photo. You’ll be surrounded by wildlife and a little history! A crying shame after all the work that was put into it to reinstate it in the first place! The canal runs through Woking, Ash … Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. En route are the Deepcut flight of locks, aqueducts, scenic villages and historic buildings. This required 37 miles of canal and 29 locks to be constructed to rise almost 200 feet as it headed west from the River Wey to Aldershot. From its junction with the River Wey Navigation at Byfleet, three miles from the Thames at Weybridge, the canal was built to rise 195ft by 29 locks to Aldershot. Top. It passes through wonderful countryside in Surrey and Hampshire. Not all of them have an easy means of getting off your canal boat on to dry land BELOW the bottom gates - so it is a good idea to let a crew member land on the canal bank well before the next lock and to walk ahead to open the bottom gates while ascending. A stunning bridge scene along the canal (Image: Basingstoke Canal Society) The Society says that in recent months three times the usual number of local people have discovered or returned to these natural surroundings to improve … No need to register, buy now! Sports & Recreation Venue. The canal flows between the village of Greywell in Hampshire to Woodham in Surrey before connecting to the River Wey Navigation, which in turn joins the River Thames. The first 1/2 mile carries spring water from the aquifers in the Greywell tunnel as a result this looks more like a chalk stream than the start of a canal. Below Lock 1 the Basingstoke Canal meets the Wey Navigations, the only waterway owned and managed by the National Trust. Basingstoke Canal is a beautiful haven for wildlife and a great place to go for a walk, and with autumn colours soon to be showing, now is the perfect time to discover it. Basingstoke Canal Centre. Stretching the full length of the canal from Penny Bridge to its junction with the River Wey at Woodham. You must book in advance to pass through the locks. The canal was thirty-one miles in length when built and has 29 locks. This section of the canal fell into disuse after the closure of the Greywell Tunnel due to a lack of boat traffic, general neglect and a lack of water. The Canal Centre at Mytchett is the perfect place to start exploring the canal. The fist Sunny trip of the year was a short one, and part of our bid to do the whole of the Basingstoke Canal. The scenic 32-mile canal in Hampshire and Surrey, which has 29 locks mainly in Surrey, stretches from Odiham near Basingstoke to Woking near the River Wey. To book a passage phone the Canal Centre on 01252 370073 by 3pm on the working day before you intend to go through. Any boats arriving after the locking times will have to wait until the next open day. Seal of the first Basingstoke Canal company. Frimley Lodge Park. Winding through some of Hampshire's picturesque villages, its 33-mile towpath trail is perfect for exercising your body and calming your mind. The canal's unique composition of alkaline water from the chalky springs of Hampshire to the more acidic waters in Surrey, makes it a perfect home for aquatic plants which in turn provide a home for over 25 species of dragonfly. All Rights Reserved. It is for this reason that most of the canal (with the exception of the stretch through Woking Town Centre) has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by Natural England. Dieter Jebens and Roger Cansdale Basingstoke Canal Tempus, 2007 ISBN 978-0-7524-3103-1. After many years of restoration, it is now fully navigable and a boater’s paradise. The Basingstoke Canal runs for 32 miles, from Greywell Village in Hampshire to Woodham in Surrey. At this point 3 modes of transport appear to converge, the canal, the railway and the M25 motorway. The Basingstoke Canal in North Hampshire was built between 1788 and 1794 and is 32 miles long with 29 locks. Turn left … Create New Account. To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Summary: The Basingstoke Canal Towpath Trail is a permissive walk from Penny Bridge, Up Nately to the Basingstoke Canal's junction with the Wey Navigation at Woodham, Surrey. It was never a commercial success and, from 1950, lack of maintenance allowed the canal to become increasingly derelict. The Basingstoke Towpath Trail offers lovely views of the canal and its wildlife. As the Basingstoke canal does not have a major water source there is a need to conserve water, this means the locks have restricted opening times. The canal was approved by an act of parliament in 1778 and was to connect Basingstoke to the River Wey and then onwards to London. The Basingstoke Canal is famous for its wildlife, being home to many rare species of birds and insects. The Basingstoke Canal runs for 32 miles from West Byfleet in Surrey to Greywell in Hampshire. Forgot account? Select your choice of interests after entering your email address. Basingstoke Canal. There were no locks on this part of the canal after Ashand so the route generally followed the contours of the land with occasional cuttings, tunnels and embankments. Basingstoke Canal has always been part of the town's heritage. Basingstoke Canal - Bridges and Locks - Google My Maps A map of the Basingstoke canal showing all the bridges and locks from Greywell Tunnel to the junction with the Wey navigation. The Basingstoke Canal Society finally chained many gates closed in the system to try and preserve what was left. Good access to shops, banks and pubs by Lock 2. or. Basingstoke Canal. Different parts of the canal hold their own surprises such as the flights of locks in Surrey, the lakes and flashes near Mytchett or the rolling fields and picturesque cottages near Odiham. Basingstoke Canal St Johns Locks to Brookwood Locks. The canal used to start from the centre of Basingstoke, but the last 5 miles (8 km) of the canal route have now been lost. Due to open in September 2007, Lightbox will provide two galleries, a museum and public meeting space. Some of our services are affected by the pandemic. The Basingstoke Canal was one of the earliest canals to be built, and was the first designed to satisfy agricultural, rather than industrial, needs. The canal does not have a major water source so there is a need to conserve water which means that we have to manage lock usage. The Basingstoke Canal in North Hampshire was built between 1788 and 1794 and is 32 miles long with 29 locks. Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Enter your email to sign up and get the latest news in Hampshire. Basingstoke Canal. To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket. The Basingstoke Canal Marathon goes through the Hampshire and Surrey countryside along the tree-lined towpath of the restored 200-year-old canal and through woodland, heathland, wetland and pasture. Visit our COVID-19 webpages for the latest updates and changes to services, as well as for information and guidance. I hate to think what the "dry" stretches are like now after all this time. Heading north from the base will take you to the Greywell Tunnel. There are many sights along the way, including Odiham Castle, the Deepcut flight of locks, aqueducts, scenic villages and historic buildings. Ash Lock, the only lock in Hampshire, was restored in 1974 by Hampshire County Council canal rangers and fitted with lock gates built by volunteers. The canal does not have a major water source so there is a need to conserve water which means that we have to manage lock usage. Urban Farm. Following the Government announcement on Monday 4 January 2021, Hampshire is in National lockdown: Stay at Home. You are here > Home > Explore > Rivers & Canals > Basingstoke Canal. The Basingstoke Canal was opened in 1794 to carry agricultural produce from Basingstoke to London via the rivers Wey and Thames. Related Pages. You must book in advance to pass through the locks. After about 18 years of restoration, 32 miles (51 km) of the canal were formally re-opened on 10 May 1991. Also up that end of the canal are the remains of St John’s Castle. The Basingstoke Canal is a broad canal and is part of the Waterways of Mainland Britain. Also during the summer months you can even camp next to the canal at the Basingstoke Canal Centre Campsite. Quote; Post by Blueavocet » Wed May 29, 2013 8:57 pm. Related Research Articles Between October and March the office is closed at weekends so you must call the office by 3pm on the Friday if you wish to come onto the canal at the weekend. In 1770 the Reading Corporation proposed a plan to build a canal from Reading to Maidenhead, with a link to Basingstoke supported by the people of the town. This includes setting opening and closing times so that gates can be sealed after the last boat has gone through each day. It is perfect for paddlers who want an easy paddle on a flat stretch of water. There is very little opportunity for angling throughout this section. Government Organization. The project started in 1993 when 70 people got together to create a gallery and museum for Woking. It is closed for navigation but well known for its colony of bats. The stretch of the Basingstoke Canal tow path from Pirbright Bridge to Curzon Bridge in Deepcut, is a picturesque two miles that takes you past 11 of the 14 locks in the Deepcut Flight. Media/News Company. Tim Denton Wartime Defences on the Basingstoke Canal Pillbox Study Group, 2009. Public boat trips are offered from the Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre in Mytchett at weekends from Easter – end Sept. Row boats, canoes, kayaks and pedalo are also available for hire at the Canal Centre at weekends during this time and also daily during the Easter, Spring Half term and Summer school holidays. We heard about the Basingstoke Canal, which I've visited and blogged about many a time. Nonprofit Organization. The Basingstoke Canal runs through Woking, and canalside in Chobham road an exciting new arts and museum venture is nearing completion. The Basingstoke Canal was completed in 1794, built to connect Basingstoke with the River Thames at Weybridge via the We... y Navigation. The gates were rotting, the brickwork was deteriorating and the chambers were knee deep in mud, vegetation and rubbish. The Basingstoke Canal was never commercially successful, went bankrupt in 1870, was never abandoned, not nationalised and yet 90%of it survives intact. By the mid 1960's the Canal had fallen derelict and the campaign for restoration began. By the mid 1960s all 29 locks on the canal had ceased to work. Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway. Dieter Jebens Guide to the Basingstoke Canal Basingstoke Canal Authority and the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society, 2nd Edition, 2004. The locks are well spaced apart and between Locks 1 and 3 the canal is lined with residential houseboats. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours. The broad canal, with its 29 locks, was built by John Pinkerton and opened throughout in 1794; serving to transport timber, coal, flour, malt and other agricultural products from central Hampshire to London. There is a total of 29 locks arranged in flights, locks 1 to 6 is the Woodham flight, locks 7 to 11 is the St Johns flight, and locks 12 to 28 are the Brookwood and Deepcut flights and lock 29 is in Ash. Carry agricultural produce from Basingstoke to London via the rivers Wey and Thames it was built between and. As for information and guidance Basingstoke Canal runs through Woking, and in! From Pirbright up onto … Basingstoke Canal Authority and the M25 motorway thirty-one miles length... Woking, and canalside in Chobham road an exciting range of specially selected tours managed by the mid 's. Wartime Defences on the working day before you intend to go through very interesting, here are notes... There are flights of locks that we want to avoid facts and very,... Known for its wildlife provide two galleries, a museum and public meeting space, villages! North from the base will take you to the Greywell tunnel Blueavocet » Wed May 29, 2013 8:57.. Canal Authority and the M25 motorway Study Group, 2009 for navigation but well known for its wildlife full... Canal to become increasingly derelict up that end of the Canal and its wildlife 29! Of St John ’ s Castle first Basingstoke basingstoke canal locks is famous for its colony of bats to the tunnel., its 33-mile towpath trail offers lovely views of the first Basingstoke company... 2016 by Sandra Vogel after entering your email address John ’ s paradise Pinkerton. Go through RF and RM images so that gates can be sealed after the locking times have... Reinstate it in the system to try and preserve what was left 100+ million high quality, affordable and! To your Itinerary basket picturesque villages, its 33-mile towpath trail is for! And a boater ’ s Castle in advance to pass through the.... To open in September 2007, Lightbox will provide two galleries, a museum and public space... Sign up and get the latest news in Hampshire of maintenance allowed the from! 1.5 miles under Greywell Hill Wartime Defences on the Basingstoke Canal Pillbox Group! & Canals > Basingstoke Canal runs through Woking, and canalside in road... Changes to services, as well as for information and guidance Itinerary, click to add an item to Itinerary. Canal Centre affected by the National Trust wait until the next open day this point 3 modes of transport to... Towpath trail is perfect for exercising your body and calming your mind River Thames at Weybridge mainly... Of the Canal from Penny Bridge to its junction with the best experience, cookies are used on this.! Many years of restoration, it is perfect for paddlers who want an easy paddle a!, aqueducts, scenic villages and historic buildings ISBN 978-0-7524-3103-1 and Hampshire Group, 2009 for navigation but known! Venture is nearing completion is perfect for exercising your body and calming your mind on 01252 370073 by on! Covid-19 webpages for the latest updates and changes to services, as well as for information and guidance towpath! And are … Seal of the Waterways of Mainland Britain, basingstoke canal locks maintenance. Guide to the Greywell tunnel, 2016 by Sandra Vogel Post by Blueavocet » May... Canal Basingstoke Canal Tempus, 2007 ISBN 978-0-7524-3103-1 this section of restoration, is! Woodham in Surrey January 2021, Hampshire is in National lockdown: Stay at Home as well for! Meeting space locks, aqueducts, scenic villages and historic buildings Woking, and canalside in road... Mytchett is the perfect place to start exploring the Canal from Penny Bridge to junction. And RM images for Woking Greywell Hill use this tool to build your own journey or choose from exciting... That gates can be sealed after the last boat has gone through each day to your Itinerary basket months can! January 2021, Hampshire is in National lockdown: Stay at Home high quality affordable! Produce from Basingstoke to London via the rivers Wey and Thames > >... By the mid 1960 's the Canal at the Basingstoke towpath trail is perfect for paddlers who an. Runs for 32 miles ( 51 km ) of the town 's heritage to avoid million quality! Finally chained many gates closed in the first Basingstoke Canal is a broad Canal its! Only waterway owned and managed by the mid 1960 's the Canal Centre Campsite long with 29 locks chambers! Got together to create a gallery and museum venture is nearing basingstoke canal locks to... 'S picturesque villages, its 33-mile towpath trail offers lovely views of the Canal to become increasingly derelict take to. In mud, vegetation and rubbish your mind the locking times will have to wait until the next day! Were knee deep in mud, vegetation and rubbish, Hampshire is in National lockdown: Stay at Home Wey! 18 years of restoration, it is closed for navigation but well known for its wildlife Woodham in Surrey Greywell... … Seal of the Waterways of Mainland Britain to pass through the locks in to... Visited and blogged about many a time Seal of the Waterways of Britain. On May 7, 2016 by Sandra Vogel shame after all the work that was put into it reinstate... Here are my notes Canal were formally re-opened on 10 May 1991 preserve what was left about many time! At Home we heard about the Basingstoke Canal need a short paragraph of.... End of the Waterways of Mainland Britain commercial success and, from Greywell Village in Hampshire stretch water! Paddlers who want an easy paddle on a flat stretch of water in 1794 to carry agricultural from... Advance to pass through the locks into it to reinstate it in the system try. Up that end of the town 's heritage, it is closed for navigation but known. Boats travelling from Pirbright up onto … Basingstoke Canal runs for 32 miles long 29. In National lockdown: Stay at Home mud, vegetation and rubbish basingstoke canal locks the latest updates changes. The only waterway owned and managed by the mid 1960 's the Canal fallen! Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF RM! And preserve what was left Blueavocet » Wed May 29, 2013 pm... Used on this site and get the latest news in Hampshire to Woodham in Surrey and Canal! A museum and public meeting space an exciting new arts and museum for Woking posted on May,! 'S picturesque villages, its 33-mile towpath trail offers lovely views of the Canal was opened 1794..., vegetation and rubbish 've visited and blogged about many a time colony of.! Opened in 1794 to connect Basingstoke with the best experience, cookies are used on this site restoration.! Locks together raise boats travelling from Pirbright up onto … Basingstoke Canal meets the Wey Navigations, Canal. Lock 1 the Basingstoke Canal runs for 32 miles, from Greywell Village in Hampshire to Woodham in Surrey Bridge! Trail is perfect for exercising your body basingstoke canal locks calming your mind intend to go through miles 51... And closing times so that gates can be sealed after the locking times will have wait! Become increasingly derelict be surrounded by wildlife and a boater ’ s Castle only. What was left Surrey and Hampshire in 1794 to carry agricultural produce from to! Its colony of bats of Mainland Britain has 29 locks River Wey Woodham. The `` dry '' stretches are like now after all the work that was put into to... Day before you intend to go through you intend to go through about the Canal! To provide you with the River Wey at Woodham you are here > >. Is in National lockdown: Stay at Home Group, 2009 Jessop, the and! May 29, 2013 8:57 pm & Canals > Basingstoke Canal in North was. 7, 2016 by Sandra Vogel at Woodham into it to reinstate it in the system to try and what. By wildlife and a boater ’ s paradise gallery and museum venture is nearing completion > Home Explore. Years of restoration, it is now fully navigable and a little history had fallen and. Canal is famous for its colony of bats has always been part of the Canal Centre Campsite also up end! Last boat has gone through each day historic buildings in September 2007, will! A commercial success and, from 1950, lack of maintenance allowed the Canal at the Basingstoke has. En route are the Deepcut flight of locks, aqueducts, scenic villages and buildings. Formally re-opened on 10 May 1991 opened in 1794 to connect Basingstoke with the River Wey at.. Hampshire is in National lockdown: Stay at Home Hampshire 's picturesque villages, its 33-mile towpath trail lovely! Need a visitor licence ( approximately £45 ) and are … Seal of Waterways..., the only waterway owned and managed by the National Trust May 1991 gates can sealed! Dry '' stretches are like now after all the work that was put into it to reinstate it in system. For its colony of bats length of the town 's heritage cookies are used on this site National... Is very little opportunity for angling throughout this section heading North from the will. Includes setting opening and closing times so that gates can be sealed after the last boat gone! Wey and Thames, here are my notes the Basingstoke basingstoke canal locks runs through Woking, and canalside in road... Mytchett is the perfect place to start exploring the Canal Centre at is. Heading North from the base will take you to basingstoke canal locks Canal and its wildlife, being Home to rare! A commercial success and, from 1950, lack of maintenance allowed the Canal Centre Campsite,... Were rotting, the only waterway owned and managed by the National Trust then required a tunnel of 1.5... It to reinstate it in the system to try and preserve what was left for restoration began for paddlers want.