Taking the family out and about can be a costly activity, but here are some ideas that you can do again and again that cost nothing but energy and enthusiasm!
Whether you are at the Greywell tunnel, the Wey Navigation or somewhere in between there are some delightful places to walk along the towpath or sit on a bench to enjoy the scenery.
YOU COULD…..
- Make a picnic to eat by the canal – there are benches at many locations along the towpath.
- Go for a bike ride – Remember to be respectful of other canal-side users. Keep safe by wearing a helmet, use a bell to alert pedestrians and observe the signs at bridges to dismount.
- Look for birds and other wildlife. There are so many birds and animals that live on or around the canal. Take a notebook and keep a record of what you see each visit.
- Take photographs. There are locks, bridges, swans, geese, trees, water, boats, paddle boarders, herons, kingfishers, bats…….. the list is endless. Get creative!
- Sketch the things that you see on your visit. Note the changes throughout the seasons.
- Walk the whole length of the canal…. Bit by bit. You can walk a short section each time you go out, starting at a different place each time.
- Watch the boats go through the locks. Woodham locks, St John’s locks, Brookwood locks, Deepcut locks and Ash lock.
- Visit Odiham castle (King John’s castle) ruins. Start at Colt Hill wharf for a longer walk or start at Greywell for a shorter walk. Easy parking at both locations.
- AND when you’ve done all that, choose the activity you liked best and do it again!