Up Nately
On this walk, children will enjoy passing by an alpaca farm, a tunnel where bats may be spotted and bridges over the old canal.
The Basics
Time: 1hr 15mins
Distance: 4.6km
Terrain: Canal tow path, fields and a small section on a road with no pavement
Pushchairs: No
Dogs: Yes
Refreshments: None
Toilets: None
Parking: Along the side of Blackstock Lane, south of where it crosses the M3 (Postcode: RG27 9PH - W3W -assist/budgeted/misfits)
You will find plenty of wildlife to spot on this walk, which follows the unrestored section of Basingstoke canal. The area is rich in wild garlic in late spring and if you are lucky, there will be fields of yellow rapeseed too.
The Route
Begin the walk from the bridge at the end of Blackstock Lane. Head west along the path with the canal on your left. This is the unrestored section of the canal which is quieter and wider than it is the other side of Greywell Tunnel. When the path and canal come to an end, you will pass Penny Bridge Alpaca farm on your right.
Go up on to the road here and turn right. This is a small section of the walk where you will need to walk on a road with no pavement.
At the first junction, take the bridle path to your left, which will soon open into a field. Walk with the hedge on your right. You will come to a stile on your right. Do not go over this, but instead take the path to your left across the middle of the field.
Go through the hedge at the other side and turn left. Turn right between the next two fields, following the footpath signs and going left when you meet a hedge. When you come to the fence, turn left and then out through the gate onto Blaegrove Lane.
Head down the lane and then turn right at the next footpath post. The path will lead across a field with St. Stephen’s Church to your left. Turn left at the fence and then follow the path down to cross Greywell Road.
Enter the field opposite and go through the gate on your right. Follow the path with the fence on your left. This field was full of ewes and lambs when we walked in spring. At the end of the field, the path narrows and then comes out onto Heather Row Lane.
Follow the lane straight ahead (not left) and just before the bend, take the footpath ahead of you. This path leads into woodland. When you see a path steeply going down to the left, you should follow it and you will come to the end of the Greywell Tunnel.
Turn left here and follow the canal path all the way back to the bridge on Blackstock Lane. It was this section that was full of wild garlic.
We recommend viewing the map as a Trails Map:
Did you know?
The partially collapsed tunnel is a site of special scientific interest owing to the fact that it is home to more roosting bats than any other site in Britain!