Sample a stretch of the beautiful Basingstoke Canal on this attractive circuit which also takes in a picturesque lake and parkland
Opened in 1794, the Basingstoke Canal, which linked Basingstoke to London, was built to transport agricultural produce from central Hampshire. Timber, flour and chalk were the main cargoes, with barges returning with coal and fertiliser. However, it had mixed fortunes and eventually declined and became derelict. In 1966 a Canal Society was formed, which campaigned for the canal to be taken into public ownership and restored. It was eventually bought by Surrey and Hampshire County Councils on the promise of voluntary labour for its restoration. Work began in late 1973 and continued for almost 20 years until the formal re-opening of the canal in May 1991. The work of the Basingstoke Canal Society’s dedicated volunteers was subsequently recognised with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The 32-mile navigable stretch that has been painstakingly restored, runs westwards from West Byfleet in Surrey in the east to Greywell in Hampshire via Woking, Fleet and Odiham. West of Greywell the canal runs through a tunnel, which is no longer navigable due to a collapse in 1932. The 1,230-yard tunnel, one of the longest built, has no towpath and bargemen had to leg it through, while horses were unhitched and led over the hill to the western entrance. The Greywell Tunnel is now an important roosting site for bats. The canal originally continued a further five miles to Basingstoke, making a total distance of 37 miles.
Today, the Basingstoke Canal – designated a site of Special Scientific Interest for its rare aquatic plants and many species of dragonfly - is much enjoyed by walkers, canoeists and others. There is a towpath open to walkers all the way - although it’s not obvious on the OS Explorer map. The starting point for this circuit is the Barley Mow car park adjoining the canal at Winchfield, a few miles north-east of Odiham, just west of Fleet. The walk follows a stretch of it for the first part of the outward leg, leaving it to continue through the attractive grounds of Dogmersfield Park, whose grand Georgian country house is now Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire. The canal towpath is rejoined for the return leg, with the Barley Mow pub (across the road from the car park) offering welcome refreshment at the end. Alternatively, the walk could be started from the Odiham Wharf car park (also known as Colt Hill car park), adding just a mile to the overall distance. Boat trips are also available from here.
The route
1. (SU778538) From the car park turn left along the towpath, the canal on your right, heading southwards, initially parallel to the road. (If starting from the Odiham Wharf/Colt Hill car park, turn left along the towpath for half a mile to join the main route at Broad Oak Bridge, waypoint 5.) Follow the towpath for a mile to Blacksmith’s Bridge, passing a pill box just before you reach it.
2. (SU776523) Leaving the towpath, cross the bridge to two adjoining gates and a stile. In the trees to your right are tank traps, which, like the pill box, are World War II fortifications (the Basingstoke Canal was part of a defensive line). Go through the smaller gate and continue along the path to the right which leads to and alongside picturesque Tundry Pond. Bear left at a three-arched bridge (private estate) to go through a kissing gate. Keep ahead along the drive to a junction.
3. (SU772523) Turn right and take the left fork to follow an enclosed grassy path (Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire visible in the distance). Cross a drive and continue up the enclosed grassy path, then gently downhill to go through a kissing gate. Bear left along the track. Keep ahead where a drive joins from the right and follow it to a pair of large lodge buildings either side of the drive by the entrance gates, not far from the A287.
4. (SU756512) Just after the gates, turn right at a fingerpost and follow the enclosed footpath through trees, keeping ahead at a junction, further on bending left to Broad Oak lane end. Turn right and cross Broad Oak Bridge.
5. (SU754521) Rejoin the towpath and turn right, passing the southern end of Odiham Common on the left. The towpath goes under a number of bridges, eventually reaching Barley Mow Bridge and the nearby car park and pub.
Compass points
Start/finish: Barley Mow car park opposite pub and adjoining canal, Sprat’s Hatch Lane, near Winchfield (SU778538). Alternatively, Odiham Wharf/Colt Hill car park (SU747517)
Map: OS Explorer 144
Distance: 5⅔ miles/9km (or 6⅔ miles/10.75km starting from Odiham Wharf/Colt Hill car park)
Terrain: Easy walking along canal towpath (open to the public although not shown on OS Explorer map as public right of way for some of the length), parkland paths and tracks with gentle gradients
Time: 3 hours
Refreshments: Barley Mow (01252 617490); Waterwitch, Colt Hill, Odiham (01256 702778). Further choice in Odiham.
Public transport: Stagecoach bus 13 from Basingstoke to Haslemere via Odiham
