Frenchman's Oak And Basingstoke Canal Walk (5 Miles, 2 1/2 Hours)

This walk has been reproduced by kind permission of Bob Rose who publishes a wide range of books covering walks in Odiham and the surrounding area's. Bob's books are available for sale at Number 81 in Odiham High Street and other outlets in the area.

1. Start from Bartley Heath Pottery, North Warnborough. Go between the bollards past the footpath sign along the old road, in 200 yards look out for and turn right at a waymark post on a track through the wood. After 400 yards at a waymark post turn right and leave the wood by a stile in a wire netting fence and cross the arable field aiming towards Lodge Farm. After the field keep ahead on the farm track and cross the River Whitewater to reach lodge Farm. Do not turn left into Lodge Farm, but at the T-junction turn left passing the pond on your left.

2. After 50 yards, turn right at a waymark post on a track between barns. Just before the bypass bridge, turn left over a stile and descend the embankment to another stile. Follow the track beside the bypass for about 80 yards to pass a waymark post. Keep ahead and in 100 yards reach a notice that reads 'cross field'. Please keep to the marked route. It is not always marked! At this notice turn left along a grass track and in about 200 yards turn right along a track and cross an arable field to a stile in the field corner by a gate to the right of a pylon with a steel fence at it's base. Cross the twin stiles and footbridge on your left to enter meadows. Go along the left hand side of the small meadow to cross two stiles and a footbridge. Turn half right across the next meadow to a stile in the hedge gap. Cross two further meadows and stiles to reach the B3016, London Road. (Frenchmans Oak on your right along the road, near to the old milestone).

3. Carefully cross the road to the footpath signpost opposite and go on a track across the rough meadow, In 150 yards, turn right over a sleeper bridge and then left at a waymark post along a track crossing some sleeper bridges to reach the Basingstoke Canal. Turn right along the towpath, go under the bypass and pass Colt Hill car park on your right. (The walk can also be started from here).

4. Ascend from the towpath, turn left over Colt Hill Bridge and go along the road passing the Waterwitch pub. In 200 yards at a post box turn right at a footpath signpost along a short track and go through a metal kissing gate. Keep ahead for a few yards to a wooden kissing gate and go across a large field. Bear left and follow the hedge on your right for about half a mile (can be muddy) to reach a kissing gate in the right hand corner of the large field. Continue on an enclosed path and turn left on a path with the Basingstoke Canal on your right.

5. At the road turn right over the Swan Bridge and right to the towpath. Turn right again and go under the bridge (by the Swan Pub) along the towpath to the swing bridge. Turn right along the lane and cross the River Whitewater. Just beyond the next stream, at Warnborough Green, turn left at the footpath signpost on your right on the path beside the cattle grid to pass houses on your left. Go through the wooden gate and bear left on a path along the left hand side of the wooded area.

6. Just before reaching the road, turn right at a 3-fingered footpath signpost and go along a track following it under overhead cables. Cross a footbridge and stile, climb the steps up the embankment to a footpath signpost. Cross with great care the dual carriageway to a stile opposite. Descend the embankment by some steps, cross a footbridge and another stile. Turn right along the old road to return to the Bartley Heath Pottery and the Lord Derby Pub & Restaurant.