Up Nately
On this walk, children will enjoy passing by an alpaca farm, a tunnel where bats may be spotted and bridges over the old canal.
There are a few tunnels along the tow path and plenty of wild garlic in spring
The Basics
Time: 1hr 20mins
Distance: 4.6km
Terrain: Canal tow path, fields, quiet country lanes, some steps and a small section on a road with no pavement
Pushchairs: No
Dogs: Yes, but should be on leads across farmland
Refreshments: None
Toilets: None
Public Transport: There is no suitable public transport to this location
Parking: Along the side of Blackstock Lane, south of where it crosses the M3, you should find a few informal lay-by spaces (Postcode: RG27 9PH - W3W -assist/budgeted/misfits)
This section of the Basingstoke Canal is left for the wildlife
You will find plenty of wildlife to spot on this walk, which follows the unrestored section of Basingstoke canal. The area is rich in wild garlic in late spring and if you are lucky, there will be fields of yellow rapeseed too.
The Route
Begin the walk from the bridge at the end of Blackstock Lane, near where it meets Greywell Road. Head west along the tow path with the canal on your left. This is the unrestored section of the canal which is quieter and wilder than it is the other side of the Greywell Tunnel. You should look out for wildlife including kingfishers and water voles. When the path comes to an end you will pass Pennybridge Alpacas on your right.
Go up on to the road here and turn right. This is a small section of the walk where you will need to walk on a road with no pavement. Although cars come fast, it is actually a quiet road and both times we have done this walk, we were lucky to just meet one tractor.
After a short walk along the road, take the bridle path to your left, going around a low metal barrier. Walk with a mature hedge on your right and a less mature hedge to your left. The track will soon open up to a field on your left. Look out for a hedge perpendicular to you that almost reaches the footpath, but not quite. Opposite this, on your right, should be a small wooden gate where a footpath leads off in the opposite direction. Go left at this point, down the slope of the field with the aforementioned hedge to your left.
Go through the gap in the hedge at the other side and turn left, before immediately curving up to the right with the field edge. As you walk along this field you will come to a large gap in the hedge on your left. Go through the gap and continue along the footpath on the other side in the same direction, only now with the hedge to your right. Walk towards the houses and at the edge of the field where the thatched cottages are, then turn left down the field and after about 50 metres, take the metal kissing gate out of the field, through a small paddock and then out onto Blaegrove Lane via another kissing gate.
Turn left down the lane and then turn right at the next footpath post by a tall hedge and wooden gate with a very large padlock. Go straight on and go through a wooden kissing gate and out into a small paddock with St. Stephen’s Church to your left. Go past a redundant wooden kissing gate and then veer left down the field towards Greywell Road.
Cross the road and enter the field opposite around the low metal barrier. Go through the weighted metal gate on your right and follow the path with the fence on your left to the opposite side. This field was full of ewes and lambs when we walked in spring. Go through the gate (taking care to make sure it closes properly). The path narrows and then comes out onto Heather Row Lane, where you should fork right.
Follow the lane straight ahead and just before the bend, take the footpath ahead of you where there is a ‘Public Right of Way - Dogs Must be Kept on a Lead’ sign. This path leads into woodland. Look out for a corner of an old enclosure with a broken gate and fence. On your right there will be a sign saying ‘Please Keep Dogs on Leads’ tacked to a tree. You should follow the minor path on your left as it descends steeply down to the old canal. You will come to the end of the Greywell Tunnel at the bottom.
Go over the top of the tunnel, with some green protective fencing to your left. On the other side, turn left and follow the path down to meet the tow path. Walk with the water of the old canal to your left.
Go under two bridges and after the second bridge, you will come to a point where the canal splits. Go over the little metal bridge and turn left, keeping the water to your left and ignoring the split towards the brickworks. From here, stick with the tow path until you reach the little road bridge where you started your walk.
Did you know?
The partially collapsed tunnel is a site of special scientific interest owing to the fact that it is home to more roosting barbastelle bats than any other site in Britain!
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try this walk on the other side of the Greywell Tunnel at Odiham and see what the restored canal looks like.
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