John Pinkerton Canal Cruises

28/08/2026

Update on our new fully electric trip boat operating out of Woking

27/08/2026

𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫
We have a few places available for the following cruises from Odiham in September.
Sept 19th 2.00-4.45pm Cruise and talk with Roger Cansdale on the canal during WW2 and its use by the military. Roger has given talks to many groups and on this trip he will be sharing some of his vast research into local history and knowledge of the area along the canal, the military influence and how it was used in WW2. His books, covering many topics will be on sale from the galley.
Sept 24th 1.00-3.45pm One of our popular lunchtime cruises including a fish & chip lunch. (veg/sausage option)
Sept 29th 2.00-4.45 Cruise & Talk with Neil Barton. Neil’s talk will cover why canals need saving, how the canal restoration movement took off, and how the Basingstoke Canal was brought back from the dead.
Tickets, Bookings, Prices etc are all here https://basingstoke-canal.org.uk/book-a-boat-trip/ For any queries please call 0750-686-4411 between 10 and 6.

24/08/2026

23/08/2026

Just an update that despite some low water levels our boat trips from Odiham and Woking are still running although they may last a little longer in some instances.
Take time to enjoy the scenery and wildlife as we cruise our beautiful canal.

14/08/2026

A lovely afternoon on the Canal for the children.

Looking for an unforgettable day out with your little ones during the summer holidays?

Why not join the pirate crew of the John Pinkerton II for a fun afternoon on the Basingstoke Canal? There will be a variety of crafts and activities (aimed at 5 – 10 year olds) included in the trip. Come dressed in your favourite costume (pirates, princesses, super-heroes etc). The crew will be showing off theirs!

This special one-off cruise is on 18th August between 2-4.45pm, departing from C**t Hill Wharf, Odiham RG29 1DH. For more information and to book your place, please visit https://basingstoke-canal.org.uk/events/cruise-and-crafts-theme-for-children-6j18g2/

04/08/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡 & 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬.
As part of our 60th anniversary celebrations we have two cruise & talk afternoons in September.
First on the 19th Roger Cansdale will be talking about the canals connections to the military and its use throughout WW2.
Next on the 29th Neil Barton will describe how the canal was saved from dereliction and how the restoration movement took off across our canals.
Both cruises leave Odiham at 2.00pm returning around 5pm.
Tickets cost £18pp
On the 24th we have one of our popular Fish & Chip lunchtime cruises leaving Odiham at 1.00pm.
Tickets cost £22pp For any queries call 0750 686 4411 between 10 & 6

30/07/2026

Final Call!

2027 Calendar Photo Competition deadline is TOMORROW!!

If you haven't already, don't delay in emailing your entries to [email protected]. Make sure your photos are in colour, landscape orientation and high resolution. Amateur photographers only and entries via social media are not accepted. This is a previous winning photo by Peter Johnson.

Good luck – we can’t wait to see your photos!

06/07/2026

𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 & 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐉.𝐏 𝐈𝐈
We are well into the summer now and here's a taste of whats coming up.

14th July at 7pm Join us for a relaxing cruise along the canal on a summer’s evening. Enjoy the scenery, watch the sun set and maybe take some stunning photographs, weather permitting. The Skipper will pause for any good photo opportunities.

17th July at 2pm Cruise & Talk with Liz Dodwell whose mother was involved in purchasing the canal and her work in preserving it for future generations. Part of our 60th anniversary celebrations. Only 9 tickets left for this one!

August 13th at 2pm Again as part of our 60th anniversary a cruise and talk by Peter Whitlock on the history and construction of the Bridges of the Basingstoke Canal featuring in particular those between C**t Hill and the Barley Mow.

August 18th at 2pm. A cruise for the kids! This afternoon cruise is the perfect way to enjoy the canal with the children during the summer break. There will be a variety of crafts and activities (aimed at 5 – 10 year olds) included in the trip.

August 23rd at 3pm. Still some spaces available for one of our famous Cream Tea trips. Enjoy a Cream Tea of 2 x scones, clotted cream and jam served on bone china while cruising through the beautiful Hampshire countryside with unlimited tea /coffee.

August 25th at 2pm. Sax and Strawberries. Enjoy a musical trip with “4 in a Bar” an accomplished saxophone quartet playing everything from swing to modern favourites. Strawberries and Cream included in the ticket price.

Lastly dont forget we have public trips most Wednesdays/Fridays and Sundays in July & August and a free members trip on the 13th July and the 11th August.

For details, prices and booking please go to https://basingstoke-canal.org.uk/book-a-boat-trip/john-pinkerton/
For queries please call 0750 6864411 between 10 & 6

10/06/2026

Celebrate 60 years of the Basingstoke Canal Society (BCS) with a special cruise on John Pinkerton II on 18th June at 7pm with a talk by Neil Barton on "How to save a Canal".

Neil led a team of BCS volunteers to create the 60th Anniversary video "How to save a Canal" which tells the story of a canal that was in ruin, but was saved by the hard work of thousands of volunteers.

The cruise departs from C**t Hill Wharf, Odiham RG29 1DH. Bookings close on 17th June at 10.00pm. For more information or to book, please visit: https://basingstoke-canal.org.uk/events/cruise-and-talk-how-to-save-a-canal-jp-6j18n3/

03/06/2026

𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐎𝐝𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐦
The year is flying by and we are already in June. We have a very busy month on John Pinkerton II and some trips are already sold out. Coming up however we have a public trip on the 17th at 10am followed by a special evening trip on the 18th featuring a talk by one of our volunteers, Neil Barton. Neil’s talk will cover why canals need saving, how the canal restoration movement took off, and how the Basingstoke Canal was brought back from the dead. This trip departs at 7.00pm returning around 10pm.
Then for the early birds on June 21st our annual Summer Solstice cruise departs at 4am! and This is a magical opportunity to see the sun rise across the canal. A continental breakfast will be served on the return leg.
If early mornings are not your thing we have a midsummer evening cruise on the 24th. Watch the sun go down, bring a picnic and your camera and enjoy the scenery on the longest day.
Lastly on the 28th we have a public cruise leaving at 10am
Our galley will be open on all trips serving hot & cold drinks, wines and beers and we have a loo on board!
For tickets, prices, and availability on all the above please visit https://basingstoke-canal.org.uk/book-a-boat-trip/john-pinkerton/public-trips/ For queries please call 0750 686 4411 between 10 & 6
Don't forget that the new all electric Kitty II is now full operational from Woking running 75min trips most Wednesdays/Saturdays & Sundays. Details on the website https://basingstoke-canal.org.uk/book-a-boat-trip/kitty/