Common FAQs
Bookings are subject to prevailing regulations at all times, and the crew will maintain recommended precautions.
Please check our Latest News for more information or alternatively, please visit the Book your trip page.
From the Book Your Trip page, select the boat you wish to book.
The Calendar Search for each boat will give an overview of all trips for each day of a month.
Months can be selected directly from the drop down menu above the calendar.
Charters
Charters are shown by Red icons for Reserved, Green icons for Charter Available.
Clicking a Charter Available icon will allow you to make a Charter Request, sent automatically
to the Booking Team.
Public Trips
Mauve icons identify Public Trips.
Clicking an icon provides more detail, and access to Booking with secure payment by card.
Themed Trips
Blue icons identify a Themed trip.
Clicking an icon provides more detail, and access to Booking with secure payment by card.
A complete list of Theme trips for John Pinkerton is available from the John Pinkerton page by
selecting the Themed Trips link.
Please check the weather conditions and dress appropriately for a boat trip. It is advisable to check the weather forecast before the trip.
This includes footwear, for example high heels are inappropriate, soft shoes being more comfortable for any towpath access to boat.
Except for assistance dogs, we regret that dogs cannot be taken on public trips.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Babies are not charged for but are included in the overall headcount for a boat. If you are unsure please check with the Booking team.
Why not buy a Gift Voucher?
A voucher is an ideal gift for a boat trip in the peaceful surroundings of the delightful Basingstoke Canal.
Vouchers can be purchased using our online shop for use on either the John Pinkerton II or the Kitty.
Terms and conditions:
Unless stated otherwise a voucher will last for 12 months from the date of purchase.
A voucher has no cash value. A trip boat skipper cannot accept vouchers as payment in lieu of cash.
A cash refund cannot be given.
Redeeming your gift voucher:
We sell three gift voucher types in our online shop.
- Boat Trip Gift Vouchers (£5 – £50) – Once your purchase has been made, your voucher will be emailed to you. Search for Public Trips or Theme Trips in the calendar, and redeem your voucher by selecting your required trip, and book and pay online, entering the voucher code in the Coupon box.
If the value of the voucher exceeds the price of a trip then the residual amount may be used towards another trip. - Public Trip Family Ticket Gift Vouchers – Once your purchase has been made, your voucher will be emailed to you. Redeem your voucher by selecting your required trip, and book and pay online, entering the voucher code in the Coupon box. Voucher codes are only valid for one boat trip.
- Public Trip Couple’s Ticket Gift Vouchers– Once your purchase has been made, your voucher will be emailed to you. Redeem your voucher by selecting your required trip, and book and pay online, entering the voucher code in the Coupon box.
All crew are trained volunteer members of The Basingstoke Canal Society and are appropriately certificated.
Pre-booking of all public trips except theme trips must be made by 10pm on the day prior to the date of travel.
Booking of themed trips must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the trip departure time.
Your booking will not be secured until payment has been received and we cannot take online advance bookings on the day of departure.
If you have not made a pre-paid booking it may still be possible for you to get aboard if spaces are available. If this is the case you can pay your fare to the skipper.
Public and theme trips are popular.
To avoid disappointment make an advanced booking using our secure on-line booking system.
We cannot guarantee seats will be available at the last minute.
You can check the availability of each boat based on your chosen trip type, day and time from the Trip Booking page before you start the booking process.
Trip prices vary depending on trip type and duration. You can find detailed information by clicking here.
The trip boat season can vary but generally runs from mid-March to mid-October.
You can see what we have available during the season on the Booking page.
If you want to discuss a boat trip at any other time then please contact our Booking team here.
If you have a question or need to contact us then please contact our Booking Team.