Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: St John's Castle, Ash Lock and Return - 29 miles, 0 locks, 10 hours total
This is the perfect beginner’s route as there are no locks. 10 hours for a short break does not seem long, but there are many things to do en route that you may be happy to cruise less and explore more. You start at Odiham Wharf in Hampshire; if you arrive early, you can take a lunch at the Waterwitch pub, just across the lane from the entrance to the boatyard or explore the historic village of Odiham with its impressive high street with the Bush Hotel, restaurants, Co-op and other unique shops. The 13th Century Norman church, village stocks and Odiham’s Pest House, built in 1622 as a dwelling house for the poor, tucked in a corner of the graveyard are worth a visit either at the beginning or end of your holiday. Once onboard, cruise west towards North Warnborough. The 18th Century Anchor Inn, is less than 1 mile south of the road bridge. Shortly after is the mechanised lift bridge which is operated using the BW key supplied with the boat. Before using the bridge make sure no vehicles are waiting to cross and ensure the road barriers are in place! A little further on Odiham Castle, also known as King John's Castle, appears on the right hand side and marks the limit of navigation. Turn here and moor up to visit the remains of the only octagonal keep in England. You can also trace the remains of the moat long since cut through by the building of the canal. It is said that King John began construction of a castle on the banks of the local river Whitewater in 1207. It provided a convenient and secure stopping place, half way between Windsor and Winchester, where he could also hunt in Odiham’s Royal Deer Park nearby. It is believed that the king and his entourage rode out from Odiham castle on the morning of 10th June 1215 to Runnymede, for the signing of the Magna Carta. From here you can walk the last half mile along the towpath to the entrance of the Greywell Tunnel which used to take the canal on towards its terminus in Basingstoke. The water here is crystal clear, springs bubble up from the underlying chalk and are an important source of water for the canal. The tunnel collapsed in the 1930's and is not open to boat traffic, although occasional inspections are carried out to check the roof but the tunnel is now a protected bat roost. Walk up the path over the top of the tunnel portal into the village of Greywell and take refreshment at the Fox and Goose. The following morning retrace the route past the boatyard and follow the canal on its meandering route to Winchfield; moor by Barley Mow bridge and the pub of the same name is just within sight from the entrance to the lane. The canal continues in a large loop around Dogmersfield Park and passes Tundry Pond where there are lovely views across the parkland with walks by the pond accessible from Blacksmith's Bridge. The canals starts to turn east again towards Crookham Wharf and access to The Exchequer, an award winning country pub. Or continue for just over a mile to the waterside Fox and Hounds on the approach to the town of Fleet. Moor on the towpath side at Reading Road Wharf, (not too close to the road bridge as it can be a bit noisy) and walk up the hill towards the town centre. There are 2 supermarkets, a shopping centre, chemists and a huge choice of eateries here, as well as takeaways; all within 10 minutes walk. The canal goes past private gardens until Pondtail Bridge; moor here for the Sainsbury's convenience store by the traffic lights. The canal straightens a little here and skirts the end of the runway at Farnborough which hosts the world famous airshow and is very rural once again. The canal passes a public slipway, then under the low Farnborough Road bridges (the old and the new), until the Ash Lock canal depot is reached. Turn above the lock. If times allows, lock down and cruise across the aqueduct over the A331 to enter the Surrey section of the canal. A little further on at Ash Wharf are moorings with access to a supermarket, chemist, Indian restaurant, Chinese and fish & chip takeaways and pet shop.
Intermediate route: Top of Frimley Locks and Return - 40 miles, 2 locks, 14 hours total
As above, but continue past Ash Wharf through Ash Vale, passing Great Bottom Flash en route. Keep to the line of the canal and do not be tempted to bear right as the water is shallow. The remains of the 'Basingstoke', the last narrowboat to almost reach Basingstoke can be seen. Early sea planes were tested here prior to World War I. The canal runs beside a busy road until Heathvale Bridge. Moor here, cross over the bridge to 'The Swan' opposite for a meal. At Ash Vale Bridge, by the station of the same name, are the remains of a boathouse where barges were built in the early 20th Century. A mile further on is the Canal Authority Office and Visitor Centre, with offers such facilities as pump-outs, cafe, toilets, play & picnic areas, pedestrian swing bridge. The canal passes through parkland on one side and wooded, heathland on the other. The canal bends sharply east and enters a deep cutting lined with large mature trees - the last stretch before the top of the Deep Cut flight of locks is reached with a turning point just by the entrance to the dry dock. Passage through these locks has to be prebooked and possible only with holidays of a week or longer.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Woking and Return - 56 miles, 46 locks, 27 hours total
Passage trough the Deep Cut , Brookwood and St Johns flights of locks have to be prebooked both ways. Passage in either direction through Deep Cut and Brookwood is possible on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. St Johns on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. So extra time has to be allowed for passage through these lock flights - your boat operator can advise. Start your holiday as per the intermediate short break above and reach the Deep Cut flight by 10am. The canal locks steadily down the 14 beautifully remote and scenic Deepcut (also known as Frimley) locks.
1.5 miles the 3 locks at Brookwood are reached next to which is a garage with shop and cash point. Further on by the 3 St Johns locks is a pub, bakery, cafe, Post Office, chemist, butchers and small supermarket accessible from Woodend Bridge. Beyond St Johns locks the canal winds through Woking, the largest town in Surrey with all shops and services. The popular Bridge Barn pub and restaurant is canalside by Arthur's Bridge and winding hole or turn a little further before Monument Bridge.
Intermediate route: Weybridge (River Wey) and Return – 66 miles, 62 locks, 33 hours total
As above but continue past Monument Bridge towards Sheerwater and pass private gardens backing onto the canal to the start of the Woodham flight of 6 locks. The locks are well spaced apart and between Locks 1 and 3 the canal is lined with residential houseboats. Good access to shops, banks and pubs by Lock 2. Below Lock 1 the Basingstoke Canal meets the Wey Navigations, the only waterway owned and managed by the National Trust. At this point 3 modes of transport appear to converge, the canal, the railway and the M25 motorway. Turn left (downstream) along a dead straight section to New Haw Lock. Below the bridge is the canalside White Hart pub, a Co-op and wine warehouse. Coxes Lock and Mill follow, take care of the millstream which comes out just below the lock. The former corn Mill has been converted into luxurious flats. A little further on there is a water point and 'The Pelican' riverside pub. Town Lock appears soon after, pass through the lock to turn below for the return cruise - a little further on is Thames Lock which is manned and allows passage onto the Thames.
Active route: Dapdune Wharf (River Wey) and Return – 76 miles, 56 locks, 39 hours total
Follow the intermediate route above but turn right (upstream) at the junction of the Basingstoke Canal with the Wey Navigations, passing Byfleet Boat Club and within 2 miles reach Pyrford Lock. Moor below the lock, just beyond the entrance to Pyrford marina, to visit the pub. The Wey is quite delightful and rural and continues through Walsham Flood gates, used in times of flood, with old style vertical paddles. The ruins of Newark Priory on the right bank are seen on the approach to Newark Lock, above which the river meanders through fields towards Papercourt Lock. Above the lock and cottage is a long line of moored boats. The route bends sharply at Cart Bridge, Send with the water point just before the bridge and the pub on the left just after the bridge. Passing Worsfold Flood gates and the weir, you rejoin the river, through Triggs Lock for 2 miles and pass around the grounds of Sutton Place, a Tudor manor built in the time of Henry VIII. Below Stoke Lock on the right hand bank is a water point. The navigation passes Stoke Mill and the waterside pub, The Rowbarge, now in the outskirts of Guildford. After passing under several larger road bridges you reach your destination: the National Trust Navigation Offices at Dapdune Wharf and visitor centre; with visitor moorings, informative boat trips and information about the history of the waterway including one of the original wide beam barges now berthed on dry land.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Godalming (River Wey) and Return - 94 miles, 122 locks, 66 hours total
As per the active route above, but continue past Dapdune Wharf into the centre of Guildford. Moorings are to be had in the centre of town, but for quieter, attractive moorings the water meadows above Millmead Lock just beyond the rowing club are recommended. You can still access the town easily from here in about 10 minutes. The town offers all shops and services, tourist information centre, museum, Lewis Carroll's Grave, the Yvonne Arnaud riverside theatre, cathedral, attractive cobbled high street and castle ruins and public gardens on the east side. Beyond the watermeadows the river twists round 2 fairly sharp bends by St Catherine's Sands where chidren have fun sliding down the golden sands towards the river. There is also a footbridge here in place of the old Ferry (used during the reign of Edward III) on the Pilgrims' Way to Canterbury. St Catherine's Lock is wonderfully remote with countryside all around. Pass the Parrot Inn at Broadford Bridge, the lowest bridge en route with 6ft 4in headroom and shortly after, Gun's Mouth - the junction with the now disused, but partly restored Wey and Arun Canal built to carry gunpowder down to the coast during Napoleonic times to avoid the more dangerous option of coastal transportation; now used for moorings. An attractive wooded section preceeds Unstead Lock and above the lock the route passes private gardens on the outskirts of Catteshall and Goldalming. There is a boatyard and day time bistro just below Catteshall Lock. Above the lock are visitor moorings on the towpath at the Lammas Lands and a little further on near the limit of navigation is a turning point and also access to the town centre with convenient waterside supermarket. A horse drawn trip boat is based here.
Intermediate route: Hampton Court, Windsor, Henley-on-Thames and Return - 147 miles, 97 locks, 65 hours total
At first look, this option does not appear as arduous, but more time has been allowed for sightseeing off the boat as Hampton Court, Windsor and Henley-on-Thames can each easily take up a good half day or longer. Proceed as per the intermediate weekly route above down the Basingstoke Canal, onto the Wey Navigations towards the Thames, rather than upstream towards Guildford. Thames Lock is manned with opening hours to assist with passage on and off the Thames. In times of flood, passage will not be possible as the Thames, although not tidal at this point, can still go into flood being a river rather than a more managed waterway or canal. Once on the Thames you will be required to purchase a week's visitor licence for the boat at the first lock you come to. Head down towards Hampton Court; via Desborough Cut to Walton Bridge. There are free 24 hour visitor moorings for Hampton Court Palace. From here return upstream and pass through Shepperton Lock. Cruise up though Chertsey Lock and Penton Lock towards Staines. Moorings are downstream of Staines bridge. Above Staines and Bell Weir Lock is Runnymede with free moorings. Windsor is 5 miles further upstream. Visitor moorings are available on the Eton (north) side of the river with access to Windsor over Windsor Bridge. The castle dates from 1066. During successive centuries it grew in importance to attain the proportions and magnificence of a royal palace. Open, with few exceptions, throughout the year. Today it is the largest inhabited castle in the world. St George's Chapel, one of the most beautiful of our ecclesiastical buildings, dates from 1475. Here are to be found the tombs of ten British monarchs. Eton College was founded in 1440 by Henry VI, the College still has several of its original buildings in use. The Chapel, School Yard and cloisters are open most afternoons. The Maidenhead Railway Bridge crosses over the Thames at Maidenhead and was designed in 1838 by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The brick arches were the widest and flattest in the world. Each span is 128ft, with a rise of only 24ft. Clivedon was renowned as the home of the Astor family during a 50-year period from 1893. The property is now a luxury hotel, some parts of which are open to the public at weekends. The gardens, formal and otherwise, are magnificent and open daily throughout the season. A National Trust property. Marlow is an elegant town blending old and modern with much to see. Izaak Walton's stretch of the river, commemorated by the ‘Compleat Angler' inn, now a luxury hotel. The Henley River and Rowing Museum is situated in Mill Meadows with moorings right by the riverside. It gives the story of Henley Town and its world famous Regatta held every year in July.
