Getting here
Water safety during hot weather
Many of our countryside sites have rivers, lakes and ponds. During hot weather, please help keep yourself safe by following the water safety advice from Surrey Fire and Rescue
Basingstoke Canal campsite
For details and how to book, visit our campsite bookings page.
Please note: Campfires/bonfires/disposable BBQs are not permitted. Other charcoal burning BBQs and cooking appliances are temporarily banned due to drought and risk of wildfire.
Boat trips, kayaks, rowing boats and pedalos currently not running
Due to low water levels on the canal boat trips aboard 'Rosebud', kayaks, rowing boats and pedalos are currently not running or for hire. We will update our web page when they start up again. We apologise for any inconvenience.
The Basingstoke canal is enjoyed by millions of visitors each year for many different activities. Enjoy lovely views along this pretty canal that starts near New Haw in Surrey, where it flows into the River Wey Navigation and, in the other direction, continues for 32 miles up to Greywell in Hampshire.
By Road
- Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre Car Park: Mytchett Place Road, Mytchett Surrey, GU16 6DD
- Free car park
- This car park has 2 accessible car parking spaces
- Please be aware there is an automatic barrier on the entrance to the car park. The barrier is open from 8.30am – 5pm all year round
By Public Transport
- Nearest Train Station is Ash Vale and North Camp
- Bus Provider and bus stop: Stagecoach service 3, Crossroads on Mytchett Road. Stagecoach 11, Crossroads on Coleford Bridge Road.
By Bicycle
- For directions, please use the map below
- Cyclists are permitted to use the Canal towpath. Please give way to other users when using the towpath
- The Share the Space message promotes courtesy and better sharing of the towpath space by all who use it, with the basic message being pedestrians have priority and cyclists must give way to other users. This is particularly relevant through Woking town centre section, which sees heavily shared use of the towpath as part of the Planet Network Saturn Trail cycling initiative
- For details on bridleway, byway or footpath information please visit our Countryside interactive map
By Foot
- For directions, please use the map below
- For details on bridleway, byway or footpath information please visit our Countryside interactive map
Visitor Centre
The Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre is at the heart of the site and provides a variety of services, including visitor information, booking facilities and a large function room.
Visitor centre and shop opening times
Summer (April to September)
- Tuesday to Friday: 10.30am to 4.45pm
- Weekends and school holidays: 10am to 4.45pm
- Closed on Mondays except bank holidays and during school holidays
Winter (October to March)
- Tuesday to Thursday: 10.30am to 4pm
- Friday: 10.30am to 3.45pm
- During October and February half term, the visitor centre is open from 10am
- Closed at weekends and bank holidays
Office opening times
Summer (April to September)
Open seven days a week: 9am to 4.45pm
Winter (October to March)
- Monday to Thursday: 9.15am to 4.45pm
- Friday: 9.15am to 3.45pm
- Closed at weekends and bank holidays
Things to see and do
There’s something to suit all ages and abilities whether it’s walking, cycling, boating, camping and many other leisure pursuits, or simply relaxing in the tranquil surroundings.
Key points of interest
- Children’s Play Area
- Towpath
- Campsite
- Boat Hire
- Boat Trips
- Venue Hire
- Seasonal events, including Easter, summer and half-term trails, pond dipping and Santa cruises
- Schools and uniformed groups
- Boating licenses and angling permits required from the Basingstoke Canal Authority
- Scenic waterway views
- Seasonal highlights; spring bluebells and blossom, autumn colour
Nature to discover
The canal is home to the largest varieties of aquatic plants and invertebrates along the length of a single UK waterway
- Trees: Oak, beech, hawthorn, sweet chestnut, holly, rowan
- Birds: Kingfisher, heron, nightjar, woodlark, dartford warbler, ducks, geese, coots, moorhen
- Dragonflies: Brown hawker, ruddy darter, lesser emperor, small red-eyed damselfly, willow emerald damselfly
- Butterflies: Brown hairstreak, small heath, marbled white, speckled wood
- Fish and Reptiles: Carp, trout, perch, chub, pike, grass snake, common lizard, slow worm
- Mammals: Deer, fox, rabbits
Always respect, protect and enjoy leaving no trace of your visit.
Facilities
- Picnic Areas and benches located throughout this site
- Dogs allowed. During ground nesting bird season (1 March to 15 September) keep dogs under close control and on paths
- Please be aware that to the east of the campsite is an area designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for ground nesting birds. We kindly ask that you use the towpath, should you wish to explore the local area
- General waste bins are located at the front of the visitor centre. Please dispose of your litter and dog waste responsibly in these general waste bins
- A bike rack is located by the visitor centre toilets, with capacity for four bikes
- Toilets in the visitor centre, including accessible toilets
- 4 compostable toilets, including an accessible toilet located within the campsite (open during peak times)
- Water points located at the visitor centre, beside the play area
- Function room
- Visitor centre shop
- Refreshments can be found on site at the Canal café, please refer to Canal café Facebook page for opening times
- Campsite
- Unpowered boat launch platform
- Pay for PawWash facility behind Visitor Centre to give dogs a warm wash after muddy walks
Boat hire
Page contents
Pedalos, canoes, sit on top kayaks and rowing boats are available for hire during the summer season at weekends and school holidays.
Please note: Boat trips, kayaks, rowing boats and pedalos currently not running
Due to low water levels on the canal boat trips aboard 'Rosebud', kayaks, rowing boats and pedalos are currently not running or for hire. We will update our web page when they start up again. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Times and prices
Boats are available to hire from 10.15am to 3.40pm.
| Type of boat | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pedalo | £11.50 per half hour |
| Rowing Boat | £17.50 for 1 hour |
| Canoe | £16.50 for 1 hour |
| Double Kayak | £15.50 for 1 hour |
| Single Kayak | £14.50 for 1 hour |
Useful information
- Boat hire opening is subject to weather conditions as well as water levels on the canal. These may change at short notice. Water levels may also affect the availability of the type of boat hire
- You must be able to get in and out of the boat without any assistance from a member of staff
- If you've booked in advance, please turn up 10 minutes before your hire is due to start and check in at the Canal Visitor Centre reception
- If you are booking on the day of hire, simply report to reception where a member of staff will check availability and provide further instructions
- Please note that the hire of a boat is non-refundable unless the Canal Centre have had to cancel in which case a full refund will be offered
How to book
Boat hire can be booked in advance over the phone on 01252 370073, or in person at the Visitor Centre reception.
We do advise that you book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Boat trips
Page contents
- Public trips
- Mothers Day and Autumn Colours trips
- Cream Tea Cruises
- Charter hire
- Santa Cruise
- Useful information
- How to book
The best way to explore the Basingstoke Canal is on Rosebud, a charming 23-foot-long covered narrow boat.
Times and prices
Public trips
Return trips run for 55 minutes at 12.00pm, 1.30pm and 3.00pm and leave from the Canal Centre in Mytchett to Great Bottom Flash. They are available at weekends from April to September. During Easter, May half term and throughout the summer school holidays boat trips run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
| Adult/Child/Group | Cost |
|---|---|
| Adult | £6.50 |
| Child (12 years and under) | £4 |
| Infant (1 and under) | Free |
| Family (2 adults and 2 children) | £20 |
| School/Uniform groups (per child) | £4 |
| Teachers/ accompanying adults | Free |
Rosebud can also be pre-booked for school trips and uniform groups.
Mothers Day and Autumn Colours trips
Return boat trip on Rosebud run from the visitor centre to either Great Bottom Flash or Deepcut. A free posy of spring flowers for every Mum is included for the Mothers Day trip.
Mothers Day trips take place on Mothering Sunday, 15 March. Autumn Colour trips take place on 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30 October.
Great Bottom Flash return trips run for 55 minutes at 11.30am, and leave from the Canal Centre in Mytchett.
| Adult/Child/Group | Cost |
|---|---|
| Adult | £6.50 |
| Child (12 years and under) | £4 |
| Infant (1 and under) | Free |
| Family (2 adults and 2 children) | £20 |
Deepcut return trips run for 1 hour 30 minutes at 1.30pm, and leave from the Canal Centre in Mytchett.
| Adult/Child/Group | Cost |
|---|---|
| Adult | £9 |
| Child (12 years and under) | £4 |
| Infant (1 and under) | Free |
| Family (2 adults and 2 children) | £25 |
Cream Tea Cruises
Cream tea boat trips run from the visitor centre to lock 28 where cream teas are either served on picnic tables on the lock lawn or on Rosebud in inclement weather.
Return trips run for two and half hours, depart at 1.30pm from the Canal Centre in Mytchett to lock 28, Deepcut.
Trips run weekly on Thursdays from 11 June to 24 September.
Cost is £15 per person, maximum 10 people.
Cream Tea cruises must be booked in advance by 1pm the day before.
Charter hire
Rosebud is also available for private ‘charter’ hire. Each trip will have a qualified skipper and crew member on board. Trips depart from and return to the Canal Centre in Mytchett any time between 10am and 8pm (latest return time). All trips are subject to the availability of the boat, skipper and crew member.
| Type of hire | Cost |
|---|---|
| Day hire | £60 for first hour, £50 for each additional hour |
| Evening hire (from 5pm onwards) | £80 for first hour, £60 for each additional hour |
Santa Cruise boat trips
Take the ‘Rosebud’ trip boat on a short journey to Santa’s woodland grotto during December when we run the hugely popular Santa Cruises.
Tickets go on sale for our popular Santa Cruises on Monday 28 September from 9am.
To find out more about this year's Santa Cruises, including dates, times and pricing, please see our dedicated Santa Cruise webpage.
Useful Information
- We advise that you book your boat trip in advance to avoid disappointment
- Boat trips are subject to weather conditions as well as water levels on the canal. These may change at short notice
- You must be able to get in and out of the boat without any assistance from the crew members. There are handrails either side of the steps
- Please turn up 10 minutes before your trip is due to start and check in at the Canal Visitor Centre reception
- Please note that all boat trips are non-refundable unless the Canal Centre have had to cancel in which case a full refund will be offered
How to book
Boat trips can be booked in advance over the phone on 01252 370073, or in person at the Visitor Centre reception.
We do advise that you book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Santa Cruises
Take the ‘Rosebud’ trip boat on a short journey to Santa’s woodland grotto during December when we run the hugely popular Santa Cruises.
Tickets go on sale for our popular Santa Cruises on Monday 28 September from 9am. Booking is in person at the Canal Visitor Centre or via telephone: 01252 370073.
To find out more about this year's Santa Cruises, including dates, times and pricing, please see our dedicated Santa Cruise webpage.
Campsite bookings
To find out about the campsite how to book, please see our Basingstoke Canal Campsite bookings page.
Venue hire
Hire our function room with a view! It’s available to hire for meetings, classes, talks, celebrations and more. The room is available seven days a week from 9am to 10.30pm, hire period must include set up and tidying away time.
Facilities
- Maximum capacity of 45 people
- Kitchenette with cups and saucers
- Urn and kettle
- Forty-five chairs
- Fifteen Tables
- Access to toilets in visitor centre
| Hire period | Charge |
|---|---|
| Weekdays | £13.50 per hour |
| Evenings (after 5pm), weekends and school holidays | £17 per hour |
How to book
To check availability and for further details please phone 01252 370073 or email canal.centre@surreycc.gov.uk.
Accessibility
- Two accessible car parking spaces
- Two accessible toilets located in the visitor centre
- Four compostable toilets, including an accessible toilet located within the campsite
- This car park has marked car parking spaces
- Accessible picnic table
- Refreshments can be found on site at the Canal café, refer to Canal café Facebook page for opening times
- Ramp located at entrance to visitor centre
- Paths around the visitor centre are suitable for wheelchairs and buggies
- The towpath varies in width between one metre to two metres wide and can be muddy during the wetter seasons. Part of the towpath has a hard surface suitable for wheelchair use
- Accessible Boating, a charity, based at Colt Hill Wharf in Odiham offers day trips and longer holiday cruises on two specially-equipped boats
- The nearest accessible trail is located at Basingstoke Canal Towpath and Lakeside Nature Reserve
Contact Us
Surrey County Council and Hampshire County Council are joint landowners of the Basingstoke Canal, with the Basingstoke Canal Authority (BCA) managing operations on the canal on behalf of both councils. Six local, borough and district Councils (Hart, Rushmoor, Guildford, Surrey Heath, Woking and Runnymede) also make important contributions to the BCA. All partners work together as the Basingstoke Canal Joint Management Committee.
To contact us, please use one of the options below:
Email: canal.centre@surreycc.gov.uk
Phone: 01252 370073
Send us any photos you take that you're happy to share on social media, tag @BasingstokeCanal and @ExploreSurreyUK
Newsletter
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Latest updates
Boat trips, kayaks, rowing boats and pedalos currently not running
Due to low water levels on the canal boat trips aboard 'Rosebud', kayaks, rowing boats and pedalos are currently not running or for hire. We will update our web page when they start up again. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Annual Report
Governance of the Canal and Basingstoke Canal Authority (BCA) is through an officer steering group called the Basingstoke Canal Management Team and overseen by the Basingstoke Canal Joint Board which is made up of the elected Councillors of the two County Councils. The BCA presents an annual report to the Joint board.
