The Basingstoke Canal near Brookwood
Introduction
The photograph on this page of The Basingstoke Canal near Brookwood by Marathon as part of the Geograph project.
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The Basingstoke Canal near Brookwood
Image: © Marathon Taken: 10 Nov 2024
The first plans for the development of the Basingstoke Canal were drawn up in 1776, as a means to transport agricultural produce from central Hampshire. The Basingstoke Canal was completed in 1794 at a cost of £154,463 which was almost twice the estimated cost. From its junction with the River Wey Navigation at Byfleet, three miles from the Thames at Weybridge, the Canal was built to rise 195ft by 29 locks to Aldershot. Timber, flour and chalk were the principal cargoes to London. Barges returned with coal and fertiliser. Income though was never high and by the 1960s the Canal was virtually derelict. Following a lengthy campaign for public ownership and restoration, the Basingstoke Canal Society set to work in 1976 to bring the Canal back to life. The Canal was finally opened in 1993 having taken 18 years to complete. This is the lowest of the three lock Brookwood Flight of locks.
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Image Location
Latitude
51.305774
Longitude
-0.626793