Short Break Route Suggestion (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.
Weekly Route Suggestion:
Relaxed 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.
