THE BASINGSTOKE CANAL - BEYOND GREYWELL

THE LOOP - RINGWAY EAST

The canal route marked by trees near Ringway East

Nearer and nearer to Basingstoke, the canal route remains quite traceable, but not for very long. After crossing the River Loddon (there was never an aqueduct at this point, just a simple culvert which still exists.) the canal loops back to the north east on the other side of the valley where Swing Bridge Cottages are. The Basingstoke Canal heritage trail bisects the river valley and crosses Basing Fen to emerge on this rather sorry looking piece of heathland (above) now often used as a racetrack for moto-cross enthusiasts. The canal's alignment is within these trees ahead, and the heritiage trail enters the trees to run along the former canal itself. This section is the very last substantial length of the former canal still in existence nearest to Basingstoke.

    
The Basingstoke Canal Heritage trail uses the actual alignment for a short distance

Above left: The route of the Basingstoke Canal Heritage Trail on the canal's course itself looking towards Basingstoke. In the 1960's when this section was used as a cycle path, the canal's course was well defined with trees and hedges bordering the route on either side. Now it is a jungle and it can be a stuggle to explore the section to the south away from the heritage path. At the far end, the canal's route ends abruptly as it meets the large loop that forms off Ringway East to connect with Churchill Way. Beyond here there is very very little left to see of the canal itself. All that remains is the former alignment on the other side of the Ringway as used, initially, as a cycle path, and then as Eastrop Way. The outer circle of this loop by Churchill Way is a cycle and pedestrian route, and once one is out of this gate (above right) its a left turn along the cycle & pedestrian route in order to walk along the canal's alignment into Basingstoke itself.

Where the motorcyclist is (above) this is the end of the canal as it loops round from the Loddon valley to meet Churchill Way. This view looking eastwards is along the canal's alignment, though it no longer exists here. It came towards where the photgrapher is standing, then turned away to the right at the point where the bridge abutments are and towards Eastrop Way. The underpass (below) is certainly the pedestrian route from the canal at Churchill Way to Eastrop Way but it is slightly to the north of the canal, whose alignment is now under the Ringway East itself to the left of the picture.

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