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Odiham, Canal, Castle ruins, Bat cave, Quaint village, tea/pubs!

Difficulty Leisurely

Walking time 1 hour 45 minutes

Length 5.6km / 3.5mi

Route developer: Deborah Gregory

Route checker: David Hunt

Start location Odiham Village Basingstoke
Route Summary A peaceful walk along the canal, quiet lanes and footpaths. Castle ruins, bats, pond life and a lift road bridge add to the fun. An old beautiful village with punishment stocks and refreshments at start/end. Inclines from Deptford Lane to school.
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Getting there

By car: M3 Junction 5

Parking: On road in High Street (time limits may apply), pay and display car park in Deer Park View, or Basingstoke Canal car park - London Road, Odiham, RG29 1AL

By train: Use Hook Station: 08457 484950

Stagecoach Buses - Hampshire and Surrey Enquiries - 0845 121 0180

Description

[1] Start in Odiham Village, OS144 742512 and head West and downhill. You will pass 'Deer Park View' on your right. Continue to the roundabout.  You will see a petrol station to the right and across the road. Cross the road and continue straight on between bollards through the pretty houses in the cobbled West Street. At the end veer left and continue toward Robert Mays Academy.

[2] Continue until just past the main school entrance and turn right, up a few steps onto a narrow, signed footpath between the school (on your right) and a cow field. Continue on the footpath, ignoring Laurel Close on your right, until you reach N. Warnborough Street. Turn right and continue forward through the pretty village toward The Anchor Pub.

A short alternative route from the school accommodates pushchairs though the tarmac path does end with a track. Just before the school entrance turn right onto the tarmac path. The school sports courts are soon on your left. Follow the path past new housing and a play area and keep straight ahead onto a narrow gravel track. Continue across Laurel close to continue on the gravel track which ends at the quiet North Warnborough Street and opposite The Anchor Pub. Turn right to rejoin the main route at way marker 3.

[3] Turn left into Tunnel Lane before the small roundabout and immediately after the fence (left) with posters advertising local events. Continue down the peaceful lane to the canal and lift road bridge.  Cross the bridge and turn left to follow the towpath with the canal on your left. Enjoy ducks, swans and pond life. The towpath runs right past the ruins of King John’s castle which is worth seeing. Shortly after the castle the canal passes over the river Whitewater. Follow the towpath to the entrance to Greywell tunnel which is now closed and a home for bats.  So that's where the term 'leg it' comes from'!

[4] At the tunnel entrance the towpath ends at a short incline. Turn left there to cross above the tunnel entrance. Follow the short footpath that drops down onto Deptford Lane. Turn left leaving the junction of Hook Road and The Street behind you. The route is uphill now until you get back to the Academy.  Continue along Deptford Lane past an interesting mix of old and new houses. You will pass Greywell Moors on your right and will be surrounded by fields any moment. You also cross the river Whitewater again.  (You may choose to take one of the footpaths on the left to head back across fields to the other side of the tow path and from the swing bridge retrace your footsteps back to the start).

At the end of Deptford Lane turn left onto The Street (take care on the bend) and very soon turn right, (both signposted Odiham). The path runs past the cow field on your left. The path levels out as it passes the school again. You are back on your outward route at way marker 2 on the map.

Continue until the path/road curves left where you instead cross to take the right fork onto West Street again. Continue forward, crossing the road near the small roundabout opposite a public house. Continue to the left of the pub to retrace your footsteps to Odiham High Street where you began. 

Once in the High St, you may wish to take a right turn into Church Street just before the shops begin to see some very old and beautiful architecture and the church with its original stocks! I hope you enjoy this walk. Please comment on it if you think it will help others.

POI information

The lift bridge is opened for boats to pass through in the summer. That can fascinate big and small kids!

King John’s castle is worth seeing too. You will pass it on the canal path.

The canal towpath ends near the closed Greywell tunnel now a haven for protected bats. Unless you are a night (or sleep) walker, you won't see them but you can read the facts about them.

The village stocks outside the church are worth seeing too. With The George pub behind you cross the road and wander behind the shops you are facing to see both and some beautiful architecture.  

 

 

Notes

Take care of children by the canal. You are able to use the edge of the field by Deptford Lane, between points 5 & 6 instead of walking along the lane though this short detour may not be suitable for wheels.

Maybe add pond dipping to the experience for kids by continuing a few yards beyond the swing bridge instead of turning onto the canal path between points 3 & 4. The small pond there is perfect to investigate the pond life.

 

Cruise Basingstoke Canal

Acknowledgements No details available.
  • King Johns Castle ruins
    King Johns Castle ruins
    By - Deborah Gregory
  • Inside of King Johns castle ruins
    Inside of King Johns castle ruins
    By - Deborah Gregory
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