Basingstoke Canal

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Basingstoke Canal Canal HQ, Visitor Centre, parking, cafe, picnic & play area. Campsite, boat hire & boat trips There is also a separate canal cafe. We also have a yurt for hire.

The Canal Centre at Mytchett is the perfect place to start exploring the canal. Our building houses an information area, small gift shop, toilets and a function room (available for hire). Outside is a children's 'trailblazer' play area, plus a picnic area with benches. Boat hire (canoes, sit on top kayaks, pedalos and row boats) available Easter to end of Sept (weekends and school holidays only - subject to the weather.) Boat trips weekends (plus Wednesday, Fridays & Bank Holidays during school holidays.) We also have a campsite which is open April to October (weather permitting) for short stay tents, motor homes and caravans. Please note that we have limited facilities and do not have any electric hook-up. There is plenty of free parking and the towpath is easily accessible from the Canal Centre via the swing bridge.

πŸ‚ Now running! Autumn Half Term Fun at the Canal Visitor Centre! 🍁Looking for something fun to do this half term? Come a...
19/10/2026

πŸ‚ Now running! Autumn Half Term Fun at the Canal Visitor Centre! 🍁

Looking for something fun to do this half term? Come and join us at the Canal Visitor Centre for two weeks (excluding weekends) full of activities the whole family can enjoy!

🎯 Autumn Trail
No need to book – just drop in and take part! Β£4.00 per prize.

πŸ‚Autumn Crafts! Β£2.00 each.

πŸ“… Monday 19th - Friday 30th October

πŸ›Ά Canoe Hire!
Available on select days.πŸ“ž Book at the Visitor Centre in person or call 01252 370073

πŸ“ Visitor Centre Opening Hours:
Mon–Thurs: 10:00–16:00
Fri: 10:00–15:45 See less

17/10/2026

Essential Repair Works at Crookham, Basingstoke Canal

October 2026 to March 2027



Hampshire County Council will be carrying out essential repairs to Chequers Bridge, Poulters Bridge and Zephon Swing Bridge on The Basingstoke Canal from late October 2026 until approximately the end of March 2027. These works are necessary to protect the historic structures and ensure the long-term future of the canal.



Key access information:



Access across Chequers and Poulters Bridges will be maintained throughout the works.
Towpaths immediately beneath these bridges will be closed.
Navigation between Chequers Bridge and Poulters Bridge will be closed for the duration of the project.
Zephon Swing Bridge will be closed to navigation, pedestrians and equestrians while repairs are undertaken.
The towpath between the bridges will remain open wherever possible, although temporary closures may occasionally be required.


Crookham Wharf Car Park Crookham Wharf Car Park will be used to support the construction works, resulting in significantly reduced parking availability and likely closures. Visitors are encouraged to use alternative parking where possible.



Works are expected to commence at Chequers Bridge first, with repairs at Poulters Bridge planned to follow in early 2027. Construction dates may vary depending on weather conditions, water levels and findings during inspections.



The Basingstoke Canal Authority appreciates the patience and support of residents, businesses, visitors and canal users while these important works are completed. Further updates will be shared via our social media channels.

Introducing Snug & Bean CafΓ©!We're excited to announce that Snug & Bean has been appointed as the new operator of the Ca...
15/10/2026

Introducing Snug & Bean CafΓ©!

We're excited to announce that Snug & Bean has been appointed as the new operator of the Canal Centre cafΓ©.

When the cafΓ© reopens under its new management in November, visitors can look forward to high-quality coffee, homemade food, traditional cafΓ© favourites, South African-inspired treats, seasonal specials and more. The cafΓ© and surrounding outdoor space will also benefit from investment and improvements, including redecoration, upgraded seating, new planting and cycle parking.

During the café’s temporary closure, visitors will still be able to purchase hot drinks and sweet treats from the Basingstoke Canal Centre between Monday and Friday, and other Canal Centre services will continue as normal.

We'd like to thank the previous cafΓ© operators for their dedication and contribution over the past 20 years. Their hard work has helped make the cafΓ© a valued part of the Canal Centre for many visitors.

Read more in press release: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/community/news/press-releases/2026/basingstoke-canal-centre-cafe-set-for-refresh-under-new-management

We'll be sharing more updates on the refurbishment and reopening date over the coming weeks, so please keep an eye on this page for the latest news!

Pop into the Canal Visitor Centre for hot and cold drinks and delicious snacks and sweet treats while the Canal CafΓ© is ...
14/10/2026

Pop into the Canal Visitor Centre for hot and cold drinks and delicious snacks and sweet treats while the Canal CafΓ© is temporarily closed!

πŸ“ Canal Visitor Centre πŸ•˜ Open Monday to Thursday, 10:00 - 16:00, Friday, 10:00 - 15:45

πŸ‚ Autumn Half Term Fun at the Canal Visitor Centre! 🍁Looking for something fun to do this half term? Come and join us at...
13/10/2026

πŸ‚ Autumn Half Term Fun at the Canal Visitor Centre! 🍁

Looking for something fun to do this half term? Come and join us at the Canal Visitor Centre for two weeks (excluding weekends) full of activities the whole family can enjoy!

🎯 Autumn Trail
No need to book – just drop in and take part! Β£4.00 per prize.

πŸ‚Autumn Crafts! Β£2.00 each.

πŸ“… Monday 19th - Friday 30th October

πŸ›Ά Canoe Hire!
Available on select days.πŸ“ž Book at the Visitor Centre in person or call 01252 370073

πŸ“ Visitor Centre Opening Hours:

Mon–Thurs: 10:00–16:00
Fri: 10:00–15:45

πŸŽ…βœ¨ Santa Cruise 2026 Availability Update! βœ¨πŸŽ…There’s still time to book your trip on the Basingstoke Canal Santa Cruises ...
09/10/2026

πŸŽ…βœ¨ Santa Cruise 2026 Availability Update! βœ¨πŸŽ…

There’s still time to book your trip on the Basingstoke Canal Santa Cruises 2026!πŸŽ„

We still have availability on a number of our cruises, be sure to check our latest availability online:

πŸ‘‰ https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/countryside/sites/visitor-information/basingstoke-canal/santa-cruises

πŸ“’ Please note: If a trip is listed as "Please contact us for availability", this means there are only two spaces remaining on that boat.

🚢 Walker Spaces are available if your group includes just one child (or a child under one year old), we may be able to offer a limited number of walker spaces for accompanying adults.

For just Β£9.00, walkers can: πŸ“Έ Stroll alongside the canal while keeping the boat in sight (perfect for festive photos!) πŸŽ… Meet the boat at the jetty 🌲 Follow the Christmas trail and visit Santa with the group πŸ”„ Swap with the adult on the boat for the return journey if they wish

πŸ“ž To book, call the Canal Visitor Centre on 01252 370073 πŸ•˜ Monday to Thursday: 9:00am - 4:30pm πŸ•˜ Friday: 9:00am - 3:30pm

🏒 Or visit us in person: πŸ“ Tuesday to Thursday: 10:30am - 4:00pm πŸ“ Friday: 10:30am - 3:45pm

πŸŽ… A Huge Thank You! πŸŽ…We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who queued on Monday morning and to those who have cal...
03/10/2026

πŸŽ… A Huge Thank You! πŸŽ…

We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who queued on Monday morning and to those who have called over the past week to book their places on our popular Santa Cruises! 🚀✨

There is still availability remaining on some of our trips, take a look at the available dates and times on our website:

πŸ”— https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/countryside/sites/visitor-information/basingstoke-canal/santa-cruises

To book your places, please: πŸ“ž Call us on 01252 370073 Monday to Thursday: 9:00am - 4:30pm, Friday: 9:00am - 3:30pm

Or pop into the Canal Centre: 🏒 Tuesday to Thursday: 10:30am - 4:00pm 🏒 Friday: 10:30am - 3:30pm

UPDATE Our phone lines are now working again, so to make bookings, please give us a call on 01252 370073.
30/09/2026

UPDATE

Our phone lines are now working again, so to make bookings, please give us a call on 01252 370073.

Climb aboard our boat Rosebud waiting for you at the canal centre and take a gentle cruise to visit Santa in his grotto.

πŸ“’ SANTA CRUISE UPDATE! πŸŽ…We still have plenty of availability remaining on our Santa Cruises this year, although weekend ...
30/09/2026

πŸ“’ SANTA CRUISE UPDATE! πŸŽ…

We still have plenty of availability remaining on our Santa Cruises this year, although weekend trips are now very limited/full!

⚠️ Please note: Our phone lines at the Canal Visitor Centre are currently unavailable.

If you would like to make a booking, please either:

🏒 Visit us at the Canal Visitor Centre between 10:30am and 4:30pm, or

πŸ“§ Email us at [email protected]

For email bookings, please include the following information:

βœ… Surname of the lead booker and a contact telephone number
βœ… Number of adults and children (aged 1-12 years), plus any babies (under 1 year)
βœ… Names, gender and ages of all children at the time of the trip

Once our phone lines are back up and running, we will contact you to take payment and confirm your booking.

To check the latest availability please visit our website below (updated daily).

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/countryside/sites/visitor-information/basingstoke-canal/santa-cruises

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Climb aboard our boat Rosebud waiting for you at the canal centre and take a gentle cruise to visit Santa in his grotto.

πŸŽ…βœ¨ Santa Cruise 2026 Availability Update! βœ¨πŸŽ…πŸŽ„ We still have plenty of availability on our Santa Cruise trips!Join us for...
29/09/2026

πŸŽ…βœ¨ Santa Cruise 2026 Availability Update! βœ¨πŸŽ…

πŸŽ„ We still have plenty of availability on our Santa Cruise trips!

Join us for a magical cruise along the canal, meet Santa, and make some wonderful Christmas memories with the family. 🎁

πŸ“ž To book your place, call the Canal Visitor Centre on 01252 370073

Monday to Thursday: 9:00am - 4:30pm
Friday: 9:00am - 3:30pm

🏒 Or pop into the Canal Visitor Centre to book in person:

Tuesday to Thursday: 10:30am - 4:00pm
Friday: 10:30am - 3:45pm

Address

Mytchett Place Road
Farnborough
GU166DD

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