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IWA Branch
Guildford & Reading
Navigation Authority
Basingstoke Canal Authority, Canal Centre, Mytchett Place Road, MYTCHETT, GU16 6DD. Tel: 01252 370073
www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk/bca.htm
The canal is navigable from its junction with the River Wey at Woodham to King John’s Castle, Odiham, shortly before Greywell Tunnel, and passes through Woking, Aldershot and Fleet.
The canal comprises of 29 locks and runs for 32 miles or 51.5 km.
Maximum boat dimensions
| Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
| 72ft 6in | 13ft 6in | 5ft 10in | 3ft 6in |
| 22.09m | 4.11m | 1.77m | 1.06m |
Boaters’ Services
Hire Boat Companies
Galleon Marine
Old London Road, Colt Hill, ODIHAM, RG29 1AL
Tel: 01256 703691
Fax: 01256 703937
www.galleonmarine.co.uk
Visitor Attractions
Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre
Mytchett Place Road, MYTCHETT, GU16 6DD
Tel: 01252 370073
Fax: 01252 371758
info@basingstoke-canal.co.uk
www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk/bca.htm
King John’s Castle, North Warnborough
www.rushmoor.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=485
Boatyards
Galleon Marine
Pump out, diesel, gas, slipway, chandlery
Old London Road, Colt Hill, ODIHAM, RG29 1AL
Tel: 01256 703691
Fax: 01256 703937
www.galleonmarine.co.uk
Historical Information
The Basingstoke Canal was opened in 1794 to transport bulky agricultural products. The local nature of its business meant it was never a success. A campaign for public ownership and restoration of 32 miles of the Basingstoke Canal to Greywell, near Odiham, led by the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society, formed in 1966, was achieved in 1991 when the canal was re-opened. Protracted lock closures since then, to conserve water, highlighted the need to improve water supplies. Back pumps were installed on the Woodham lock flight in 2001, grant aided by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and the St Johns flight in 2005. IWA’s National Campaign Rally held on the Canal in 2006 highlighted the need for further investment in the waterway to resolve maintenance and water supply issues. The 1,230-yard Greywell Tunnel is blocked by a roof fall and protected as a habitat for bats, which has prevented plans to extend the restoration westward. It is unlikely that the last remainig five miles will ever be able to be restored due to development work , and lack of available funding (and interest )by the local authority, however, the society is considering if a proposal to creat a new link to the Kennet and Avon Canal is feasible. The new link would be about 16-18 miles of new canal linking North Warnborough to a section between Aldermaston and Reading on the Kennet and Avon Canal to create a new cruising ring.
Further Information
For books, maps, guides, videos, DVDs and gifts and this canal, click here
Website
Local government links
