Odiham and the Basingstoke Canal
Recommended by
Our view
"Combine the elegant little town of Odiham with the leafy Basingstoke Canal."
Walk directions
Head east along the High Street and take the left fork, London Road, leading to the Basingstoke Canal. Pass The Waterwitch pub and cross the bridge, then drop down left to the towpath. Follow the waterway signed to Odiham Castle/deer park, parallel with the A287 for just over a mile (1.6km) to North Warnborough.
Keep on the towpath, passing under the road bridge and then a lifting bridge, and after 300yds (274m) pass the ruins of Odiham Castle (also known as King John’s Castle) on your right. Pass over the River Whitewater and continue for half a mile (800m) to Greywell Tunnel, famous for its roosting bat population and best visited at dusk, when the bats take to the air. Take the path left over its portal and drop down to the road.
View all directions
Additional information
Terrain
- Canal towpath, field-edge and woodland, 4 stiles
Landscape
- Farmland, parkland, woodland and residential area
Dog friendliness
- May need lifting over some stiles; keep under control in fields
Parking
- On Deer Park View off the High Street
Toilets en route
- Along King Street, off the High Street
About the walk
Flanked by the expanding towns of Aldershot and Basingstoke, and the M3, Odiham retains an unspoilt, country-town atmosphere and is one of Hampshire’s most elegant small towns. Handsome Georgian houses and colour-washed, timber-framed cottages line the wide main street, including The George Hotel...
Read more
Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
About the area
Hampshire’s varied landscape of hills and heaths, downlands and forests, valleys and coast are without rival in southern England. Hike across the chalk downland of the north Hampshire ‘highlands’, meander along peaceful paths through unspoilt river valleys of the Test, Itchen, Avon and Meon, or explore the lonely salt marshes and the beautiful medieval forest and heathland of the New Forest.
Nearby places to stay
View all (8)
Guest Accommodation
The Hoddington Arms
- Rooms 5
- Free TV
Nearby places to stay
Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire
Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire is a Georgian manor house, set in 500 acres of undulating grounds and English Heritage listed gardens. Just an hour from London, it offers the upmost in lux...
The Hoddington Arms
This property is currently closed. The Hoddington Arms is a characterful independently and family run pub with rooms at the heart of Upton Grey village, offering a friendly welcome wit...
Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens
Tylney Hall is a grand Victorian country house set in 66 acres of beautiful parkland. On offer are high standards of comfort in relaxed yet elegant surroundings, featuring magnificently...
Audleys Wood Hotel
A long sweeping drive leads to what was once a Victorian hunting lodge and a private family home. Audleys Wood Hotel offers a range of very well-equipped bedrooms and suites, while the ...
Bush Hotel Farnham
The Bush is an independent hotel that has been welcoming guests since 1618. Steeped in history but embracing contemporary design, it is situated in the heart of Farnham’s historic town ...
California Chalet & Touring Park
A simple, peaceful and well-located woodland site with secluded pitches among the trees, adjacent to the country park. The sun shines through the trees onto the pitches, and several occ...
Frensham Pond Country House Hotel & Spa
Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, overlooking Frensham Great Pond this is a walker’s and water-lover’s paradise close to footpaths that run through the 1,000-acre Natio...
Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat
Retreat to the woods when you stay in one of the log cabin style lodges at Tilford Woods. All accommodation features full self-catering facilities, with top of the range log cabins even...
Places to eat nearby View all
