Basingstoke Canal Navigation

The Canal is navigable for a distance of approximately 32 miles. Running upstream from the junction with the River Wey Navigation at West Byfleet to the winding hole at Greywell (the limit of navigation). The Canal has 29 Locks: 6 at Woodham, 5 at St Johns, 3 at Brookwood, 14 at Deepcut and 1 near Aldershot.

All Craft wishing to use the Canal Navigation require a licence, issued by the Basingstoke Canal Authority.

Using Locks

Locks are opened by appointment only at the times set out in the section marked "Locking Times". To book a passage contact the  Canal Centre tel 01252 370073 by 1pm on the working day before you intend to go through.

We appreciate that this means a bit of planning on your part but the procedure is in place to ensure the best use of our Canal Rangers…. a lot of time can be wasted opening up every set of locks on a daily basis if no boats are going through.

Due to the need to conserve water, it is necessary for Canal Rangers to monitor lock usage. This includes setting opening and closing times so that gates can be sealed after the last boat has gone through each day. There are occasions when you may find a Canal Ranger following you up (or down) a flight of locks, sealing up gates behind you. While some may consider this intrusive, it is done purely to conserve water for the benefit of all boaters.

Unless another boat is clearly waiting to use the lock we ask you to leave locks empty with the lower gates closed, and upper paddles shut. This is done to conserve water, which permeates through our lock walls and is wasted away if locks are left full!

Drinking Water, Sewage and Rubbish Disposal

There are water taps available for boaters at Odiham Wharf, Barley Mow, Ash Lock, the Canal Centre at Mytchett and opposite the Bridge Barn Pub at Woking. Standard British Waterway keys will unlock the water points at Barley Mow and Odiham. There are rubbish disposal points at Ash Lock and the Canal Centre. Elsan disposal is available at the Canal Centre, opposite the Bridge Barn pub in Woking and at Odiham Wharf. Pump-out facilities are available at the Canal Centre (token operated) and at Galleon Marine, Odiham (you need permission from the proprietor tel 01256 703691.

Public Toilets

Public toilets (include facilities for disabled people. R.A.D.A.R. key required) half mile north of Reading Road Bridge in Fleet shopping centre, 200 yards south of Ash Wharf Bridge, Frimley Lodge Park, 300 yards south of St. Johns Locks, Woking. Toilets are also available during working hours at the Canal Centre, Mytchett.

Slipways, Swing Bridges and Water Points

Slipways are available for use with associated car parks free of charge at Barley Mow Bridge, Winchfield, Farnborough Road Aldershot, and Potters Pub, Mytchett (restricted hours only).

A standard British Waterway padlock key is needed to open water points, swing and lift bridges and slipway barriers. These can be obtained from the Canal Centre, (please refer to the charges section for all pricing information).

Navigational Map

A detailed map of the Canal is available from the Canal Centre.

Dry Dock Hire

Dry dock facilities are available at Frimley Lock no. 28, to be booked through the Canal Centre, please ask for a booking form. A “Dry Dock Transit Licence” for visitors to the Dry Dock is also available, (please refer to the charges section for all pricing information).

There is a cover over the dry dock, but it is not completely waterproof and there are two water taps available. Thirteen amp (240 volt) electric supply is located in a brick built cupboard with wooden doors, however only 110 volt supply may be used in the dry dock so hirers must supply their own 110 volt transformer and suitable tools, leads etc. A papaiz key is required to access the cupboard and may be hired from the Canal Centre at the time of booking for a refundable deposit, (please refer to the charges section for all pricing information). This key will also unlock the padlock on the access gate to the dry dock which is located on the east side of Deepcut Bridge Road, 100 metres north of Deepcut Canal Bridge.