THE BASINGSTOKE CANAL - BEYOND GREYWELL

BRICKWORKS ARM - PENNY BRIDGE

The far end of the arm is now private property, but the former wharf can be seen (above left) whilst the large retaining wall along the top end of the arm itself can be seen where the footpath has been diverted through a breached section of the wall (above right.)

Brick Kiln Bridge

A good distance westwards from the Brickworks arm is Brick Kiln Bridge. This bears quite a resemblance in style to the portals of Greywell and Little tunnels. It was at this point that the Basingstoke Canal was stopped off in 1910 when it was decided it was no longer worth maintaining the section westwards.

As mentioned, the cutting westwards from Greywell tunnel extends for about a mile. The view (above) shows the canal at the location where the cutting ends (or begins.) A short distance westwards is Penny Bridge.

End of canal at Penny Bridge

This is the end of the Basingstoke Canal, as we know it, at Penny (or Penney) Bridge, although there is no such bridge now. The information board (below) introduces walkers to the Basingstoke Canal and also shows that this is the beginning (or end) of the Basingstoke Canal Authority's section. From here, as seen in the image (bottom) it is 33 and a half miles to the River Wey. From here to Basingstoke itself is about four miles or so, but the going is quite difficult, and detours have to be made where the canal route is no longer available.Only the section to Little Tunnel, part of the new Greywel Road, the section along Basing House walls, a section just before Ringway East, and the alignment along Eastrop Way in Basingstoke itself are the only bits of the canal's route that can be walked. Across the fields from the site ofPenny bridge, the M3 motorway is plainly visible to towpath walkers.

Signpost at Penny Bridge

THE LOST ROUTE FROM GREYWELL TO BASINGSTOKE:
Lost Section - Introduction    Over Greywell Hill    Greywell - Brickworks Arm    Brickworks Arm - Penny Br    Penny Bridge - Little Tunnel    Frog Lane - M3    M3 Motorway Section    M3 - Church Lane (Basing)    Church Lane - Crown Lane    Basing House    Redbridge La - Swing Br Cottages    The Loop - Ringway East    Eastrop Way - Basingstoke