Crookham Village
Fleet
Children will enjoy a walk beside the Basingstoke Canal with wildlife to spot and brick bridges to go under and a family-friendly pub.
The outward leg of this walk is along The Basingstoke Canal tow path
The Basics
Time: 4.8 km
Distance: 1 hr 30 mins
Terrain: The outward leg of the walk is on flat tow paths, the return leg includes some muddy fields, uneven ground and a small section beside a busy road
Pushchair: You could take a single pushchair along the tow path, but would have to return the way you came
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this walk and in the pub but should be on leads over farmland
Refreshments: The Exchequer is a family friendly pub on this route
Toilets: None
Public Transport: There is no suitable public transport to this location
Parking: There is a free car park at Crookham Wharf, Crondall Road (Postcode: GU515SZ - W3W: playroom/choppy/mothering)
The Exchequer is perfectly placed on this walk
Step straight from your car onto the banks of The Basingstoke Canal and walk along the tow path, going under little brick bridges and passing an interesting WW2 pillbox. The walk then returns via farms and fields to Crookham Village where a warm welcome awaits at The Exchequer pub.
The route starts from the parking area at Crookham Wharf, but you could just as easily start the walk from the pub, which is a couple of hundred metres up the road. Follow the tow path west, with the water to your left. For the first part of the walk, you just need to stick to the tow path. Look out for some WW2 remnants, including a pill box that you can peek inside.
The first bridge that you go under carries cars. The the second bridge, a pedestrian bridge called Blacksmith’s bridge, is just after a horse livery yard. Here, you should turn right away from the tow path.
Veer right at the gate to Drover’s Cottage. Follow the public footpath signs through Double Bridge Farm, up the tarmac drive to a white gate. Go around the white gate, cross the road and enter the field directly opposite.
The field can be muddy in winter. You will see the path going straight across the field, passing electricity pylons to your right. Follow it all the way to the other side. Exit the field by joining the footpath which goes narrowly between two hedges with a little badge saying ‘footpath 1’.
Go out through the gate at the other end, cross the farm track and go through the metal kissing gate on the other side. The path crosses a small paddock before going through another metal gate and over the roots of some oaks. Turn right at this next farm track.
Pass the house and cross over a stream before turning left at the old finger post. Go over a wooden footbridge over another stream and then follow the footpath post which will direct you across a large field. The path will veer to the side of the field, where you should then walk along the edge of the field with the tree line to your left. Go over a little stile with a red sign at the far end of the field.
The stile will take you into small, wet paddock. Pass the dead tree that looks like perhaps it was struck by lightening to your right and head to the left edge of the paddock. Go over a little wooden footbridge over a ditch and then veer round to the right. Walk along the access lane towards the road.
At Crondall Road, turn right. The road has no pavement, but does have a small space for pedestrians at the side. Take care, although there is traffic calming in place and the speed limit is 30 mph, we felt that the cars were coming unnecessarily fast. The good new is that you do not have to walk for more than a couple of minutes before coming to The Exchequer and a little further on, Crookham Wharf.
See below for two other walks that can be completed from this location.
Did you know?
This section of The Basingstoke Canal is scattered with pillboxes, tank traps and other WW2 defences. These were built before The Battle of Britain in the hopes of slowing Hitler’s advance towards important locations such as the military town of Aldershot and Odiham Airfield.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…you can also walk in the other direction along the canal to Zebon Copse. Here there is a beautiful circular boardwalk over an ancient mire and one of our favourite play areas.
Or make the walk longer…
When you arrive at Blacksmith’s bridge, instead of turning right, go over the bridge and join this Dogmersfield Loop at section two in the route description.
We are passionate about keeping The Ambling Path as a free resource available to everyone, forever. If you have enjoyed using our walking guides, then please consider leaving us a donation. This will help to cover our costs as well as rewarding the considerable time and effort needed to maintain the site. Thank you.
Follow us on social media to see our new walks and get regular updates on our old ones:
