Galleon Marine --- Basingstoke Canal



Website:   http://www.galleonmarine.co.uk

Email:   see contact form on website or try info@galleonmarine.co.uk

Address:
Galleon Marine
Colt Hill
Odiham
Hampshire
RG29 1AL

Telephone: 01256 703691

Base Canal / River: Basinstoke Canal

Base Marina: Galleon Marine

Types of Boats Offered: 2 to 8 berth Canal Narrowboats, Day Boats, Rowing Boats, Kayaks & Canoes
Periods of Hire: Day, Short Breaks , Weekly

Comments and Reviews:
Typical prices for 6 berth weeklty hire: £825 ( March)   to   £1350 (Aug) include fuel and parking £40 insurance waiver or £150 security deposit. Aditional security deposit for pets.

Recommended Routes:


King John's castle
Visit the remains of King John's 13th century castle from where he rode out to sign the Magna Carta in 1215.
David Bellamy is quoted as regarding the Basingstoke Canal as an outstanding wildlife habitat of National importance. Why not see what you think, but beware you may well find that one visit is just not enough.


House in Greywell village
Cruise west towards the castle,  through North Warnborough lift-bridge, turn your boat and stop here for a late lunch and walk up to the eastern portal of the Greywell Tunnel and peer into its gloomy depths. The village of Greywell has the very pleasant Fox and Goose Pub  and interesting houses.


 
Return past the hire base, towards Broad Oak and continue in rural and peaceful surroundings to reach Winchfield. Here there is a public slipway and the 'Barley Mow'. Soon you pass on your right the large Tundry Pond part of the estate of Dogmersfield House and Park dating back before 1191 and once a medieval bishop's palace.
Towards Crookham there are remnants of World War II defences - canalside pillboxes and concrete tank traps etc. Crookham Wharf offers a  local pub or continue on into Fleet. .
From Fleet the canal continues under 2 very low road bridges past the backs of houses, some with lovely gardens towards Farnborough. Most of the land you pass through from here until Ash Lock is MOD property and the canal features three flashes which act as nature reserves and boaters are requested not to enter.



Ash Lock
After Ash Lock (there is a water point just above the lock on the wharf-side) the canal follows along Ash embankment to Ash Wharf. Locally you will find a  supermarket, chemist, baker, take away fish & chips, Chinese and an Indian restaurant. Then pass Great Bottom Flash, home to many water fowl and then pass the old Ash Vale Boat House where working barges wereformerly built. There are several smaller flashes and you pass the Swan Inn where you can moor alongside and visit for an excellent evening meal. Also note the Canal Centre at Mytchett which has a canal exhibition, clubroom, picnic area, tea room, adventure playground and information, together with water, rubbish and pump out facilities.


'Waterwitch' Pub, Odiham
With Frimley Lodge Park on your left  pass by the King's Head bridge which leads into the large Wharfenden Lake, . Soon after you enter the cutting at Deepcut you will immediately notice a drop in temperature as this cutting is very deep and overhung with trees, so whatever the time of year it is cool. You can turn by the entrance to the dry dock by the top lock.

Week or longer:
 Woking will require a week, or if you wish to go further, leave the Basingstoke Canal and join the Wey Navigation below the Woodham flight, at least 10 days will be required. It is important when you make your booking to also contact the Basingstoke Canal Authority ( Tel: 01252 370073 ) to book both your outward and return passage through the locks and tell them if you will be passing beyond Woking.

For navigating the Wey, a visitors licence will be required. Full details and lock opening times etc. are available from us when making your holiday booking.  You will need to allow 2 days for passage from the top of Deepcut to the junction with the Wey Navigation at the bottom of the Woodham flight.

The Deepcut flight consists of 14 locks evenly spaced out. The environment is spectacular and peaceful except for the occasional passing train which may give you a hoot as it passes by. Look out for the old army 'swimming pool' indicated by 2 sets of steps and railings set in the brick wall on the non-towpath side of the canal just above Lock 22.




Comments from forums