THE BASINGSTOKE CANAL - BEYOND GREYWELL

REDBRIDGE LANE - SWING BRIDGE COTTAGES

From Basing House, a walk along Redbridge lane parallels the length of the canal as far as Swing Bridge Cottages. This view (above) shows Redbridge Lane in relation to the canal and the curtain walls of Basing House (the second tower can be seen behind the upper fencing.) A short distance past this point, the road rises up and takes a sharp turn to cross the canal. On the right, new development has taken place on the canal's alignment, called Broad Water. This section of the Basingstoke Canal was indeed known as The Broad Water, being a wider stretch of canal just to this side of Red Bridge.

Red (or Slaughter) Bridge

As one comes round the bend and over Red Bridge, it does indeed look like the bridge still stands. Well in a way it does. It is still there quite complete, but like several other bridges that we have encountered in Basing itself, this one is also buried, leaving just the parapets visible (below left.) What remains of the parapets have been restored however. Red Bridge is the very last crossing of the canal route that we encounter. The next crossing, at Swing Bridge Cottages, has gone, as is the last footbridge, and Eastrop Bridge in Basingstoke. The first time I visited this lost section was back in 1981, and then it was possible to see all the way along the former canal route back to the walls of Basing House (below right.) Look at the left hand picture to see an electricity pole just to the right of centre, and partially obscured by trees. This same pole can be seen in the 1981 picture, with the Basing House walls and towers visible in the background. Re-development of the former canal route, and the planting of new trees, now makes it impossible to see the Curtain Wall from the Red Bridge. It was about here on the Broad Water that Alfred Harmsworth turned his narrowboat 'Basingstoke' after the abortive attempt to travel to the town back in 1913.

Along Redbridge Lane (Picture below) one can see the course of the canal in part to the left hand (or north west) side. In the early 1960's, Redbridge Lane was widened and of course utilises the course of the canal itself. What was left of the canal after road widening became a route for electricity poles just off the road's northern flank.

Redbridge lane encroaches on canal route

By the location where this information board is are Swing Bridge Cottages. This forms part of the Basingstoke Canal heritiage footpath, extending for 2 miles from Basingstoke to Basing House. Just behind where the photographer stood is the course of the canal, not easy to discern now, save for those electricity poles, as seen below right, and bottom. At this point the canal and road took different alignments, however it is still difficult to trace the former canal. The below view looks towards Basing, whilst the bottom view is towards Black Dam and Basingstoke.

Looking from swing bridge cottages towards Black Dam

Just past Swing Bridge Cottages, Redbridge Lane veers off towards Black Dam, whilst the canal begins to form a loop round towards its crossing of the River Loddon. About here, is Basing Lime Pits. Although they are virtually right next to the canal, no waterborne traffic seems to have originated from here, even though the pits began in the early 1900's. At one time, the infilled canal was used as a cycleway between Basing and Basingstoke, commencing just past Swing Bridge Cottages. No trace of this track now remains, which left Redbridge Lane opposite the lime pits and gently sloped down onto the canal's alignment, although a pair of gate posts indicate the start of it. As well as being used as a cycleway between Basingstoke and Basing, during the hard winters of the late 19th century, the canal was a popular race track for skaters between Basingstoke and The Broad Water at Basing!

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