Basingstoke Canal

The Basingstoke Canal can be found in Southern England between the village of Greywell in Hampshire and Woodham in Surrey.

It was built between 1788 and 1794 and is 32 miles long with 29 locks. After many years of restoration it's now fully navigable, and connects to the River Wey Navigation, which in turn joins the River Thames.

I have spent a number of hours pleasantly walking along the tow path of this beautiful canal. You can also rent rowing boats or have a lazy enjoyable ride on a canal barge with John Cale Canal Cruises.

The Visitor Centre has lots of information about the canal with a Tea Room and a shop where you can buy something to remember your trip.

There is also a camp site and a function room that can be hired for those special events. Children must be supervised at all times as canals can be dangerous.

Approximately half of the canal is owned by Hampshire County Council and the other half by Surrey County Council. The "Basingstoke Canal Authority" (part of Hampshire County Council's "Countryside Service") undertake the management of the whole canal.

Offices and visitor centre at the Canal Centre:

Mytchett Place Road
Mytchett
Surrey
GU16 6DD

Telephone: - 01252 370073

Source: Basingstoke Canal Authority website.