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.
Odiham – The John Pinkerton II
Please note that access into the boat is by five steps down from the rear deck, with handrails on each side. There is no mechanical lift for wheelchair users.
Group organisers must provide able-bodied helpers for those that need looking after, and to lift wheelchair users if necessary.
Our smaller second trip boat Kitty, which operates from Woking, is fitted with a hydraulic lift for wheelchair users.
Alternatively, our sister charity Accessible Boating, based in Odiham, operates purpose-built boats to cater for disabled persons and their carers.
For more details visit the Accessible Boating Association or call them on 07934 926683 .
Souvenirs are available on board to help remember the occasion. You can also visit our online shop by clicking the button below.
Charterers may organise their own entertainment subject to the advance approval from the Booking Team.
Add to the party atmosphere of your cruise, and enjoy a canal boat shuffle with the Excel Jazzmen. Contact on 01252 549037
When booking, any entertainment staff must be included in total passenger numbers.
The fully licensed bar is open on all cruises. You can purchase real ale, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, drinks, and light refreshments.
For charters corkage facilities are available by prior arrangement with the Booking team.
Private parties may provide their own catering, or use a catering service who will deliver to the boat. You will find a selection of suppliers below;
 | The Great Food Company | Clarissa Kershaw cm@thegreatfoodcompany.co.uk |
 | Hartletts Cafe Packed Lunches Individual Platters Afternoon Tea | Jenny Copeland at Hartlett’s Cafe by email at events@hartlettscafe.co.uk |
 | The Waterwitch London Road, Colt Hill 01256702778 | Before and after your cruise for drinks and meals |
 | Olivers Fish & Chips 01256 321018 info@olivers4fish.co.uk | For a Fish’n’Chip supper delivered to the boat at departure. |
 | Grand Catering (Poppy’s Cafe Church Crookham) 07800 888354 richwithey80@gmail.com | Cold buffet and cream teas. Contact Richard Withey for menus and prices. |
For catering enquiries, please contact the caterer of your choice directly. Teas and coffees are not supplied by the caterer unless specifically requested.
Serving staff must be included in the total passenger numbers.
We are limited to 50 passengers for each trip all passengers are counted regardless of age.
On occasions we may specify a lower passenger limit depending on the type of trip. We are unable to guarantee space at the last moment.
Trips are either eastwards towards Winchfield or westwards towards Greywell and Odiham and King John’s Castle.
The trip direction is determined by the skipper.
For charter trips, subject to prevailing circumstances, every effort will be made to comply with the hirer’s wishes on the direction of cruise.
All public trips depart from Colt Hill Wharf, Odiham, Hook RG29 1DH unless stated otherwise.
Directions: Departure point is located on the canal wharf. The canal at Colt Hill is signposted down London Road at the eastern end of the High Street. Pass the Waterwitch pub and then cross Colt Hill Bridge, then turn right into the car park at the end of the road.
On the day of your trip please arrive at the departure point at least 15 minutes before your trip departs and inform the boat skipper of your presence.
Trips last approximately 2.5 hours. You can also ask us about increasing the duration to 3.5 hours at an increased cost.
Trip durations may be longer than stated when the canal water level is low. This can occur during periods of reduced rain.
We run public and themed trips, for which you will share the boat with others. You can also charter the whole boat for the exclusive use of your party.
Woking – Kitty
There are no toilet facilities aboard the boat.
There are toilets nearby at the Lightbox public gallery and museum. The crew are happy to direct you if required.
Access to the boat is by four steps down from the rear deck with a handrail on one side.
Seating is arranged along the sides of the boat, and there are no individual seats.
The boat is fitted with a hydraulic lift and a ramp and can accommodate up to 2 unpowered wheelchair users per trip.
Please note:
- We are unable to accommodate users of powered/motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
- Each wheelchair user must be accompanied by an able-bodied carer. The crew will operate the lift and ramp. The crew cannot assist with the handling of wheelchairs or their occupants.
- Each wheelchair user, for reasons of safety, will occupy 2 of the available places on the boat. Therefore a maximum of 11 persons can be accommodated including one wheelchair user, and 10 persons including two wheelchair users.
Alternatively, our sister charity Accessible Boating, based in Odiham, operates purpose-built boats to cater for disabled persons and their carers.
For more details visit the Accessible Boating Association or call them on 07934 926683 .
Refreshments are not provided. You are more than welcome to provide your own.
We are limited to 12 passengers for each trip all passengers are counted regardless of age.
On occasions we may specify a lower passenger limit depending on the type of trip. We are unable to guarantee space at the last moment.
Typically trips head in an easterly direction skirting the edge of Horsell Common before turning around and heading back to the Wharf.
However, the longer 2.5 hour trips may also include a short trip west to explore a different part of the canal, before turning around and heading east alongside Horsell Common.
All trips depart from The Town Wharf, Brewery Road, Woking, Surrey GU21 4LJ.
Woking Town Wharf is located adjacent to the WWF Living Planet Centre on Brewery Road, just outside the centre of Woking.
Convenient parking can be found under the WWF building (aka the Brewery Road car park).
There is a bus stop adjacent to the boat departure point served by many local buses.
The mainline railway station is a 7 minute walk from the Town Wharf.
On the day of your trip please arrive at the departure point at least 15 minutes before your trip departs and inform the boat skipper of your presence.
Trips typically last approximately 1.25 hours or 2.5 hours depending on your choice of booking.
You can book either as individuals or family groups on public trips, up to a maximum of 12 people. You will be sharing the boat with others.
Alternatively for that special occasion, you can book a charter trip for up to 12 guests. You will have exclusive use of the boat.
For a charter you can choose either a morning, afternoon or evening trip to suit your requirements.
Charter trips can last up to 2.5 hours. Cruising almost the entire 4 mile lock free length of the canal along to the edge of the world famous Horsell Common.
Please contact the Booking Team or click here to find out more.