Greywell - the Basingstoke Canal - Mapledurwell - Circular

Richard Clayton

You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.

This walk is one of three written for Walkingworld in the attractive chalklands south of the M3 between Basingstoke and Odiham – the furthest extension west of the South Downs.

The walk takes in two attractive villages in Greywell and Mapledurwell, three interesting old churches if you are so inclined, part of the Basingstoke Canal and Greywell Moors Nature Reserve.

It starts in the village of Greywell, which lies on the west bank of the River Whitewater and has an unusual and charming character all of its own, recognised by the designation of much of the village as a conservation area. Greywell contains many buildings of special interest, which include the thirteenth century church of St Mary with its Norman chancel and north door, the Malt House with its oversailing upper storey supported on curved brackets and Greywell Mill, an old flour mill reputed to have been working until circa 1935.

The walk, in a figure-of-eight, takes you out of the village around the nature reserve, along the canal towpath, back into Greywell, then over Greywell Tunnel and across fields to Up Nately, to a second church. Then it's an easy stretch to Mapledurwell. The village of Mapledurwell is an attractive blend of old and new. There is no village centre; the pub, the pond and the church are the obvious focal points.

After Mapledurwell, you stride out along broad and ancient byways and bridleways via Five Ways End to join the Three Castles Path, a 60-mile long-distance footpath from Winchester Great Hall to Windsor Castle, then head back into Greywell from the west. Your eye may well be drawn to helicopters away to the north-east. RAF Odiham is still a front-line support helicopter base, operating Chinooks; see Additional Info'.

England - South England - Hampshire - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Castle, Church, Flowers, Industrial Archaeology, Pub, Restaurant, River, Wildlife, Woodland

10/15/2023 - Ann Ellis

The walk was a lovely one but we had a couple of issues with some of the directions. The main problem was at Pont 10 where we were directed up Butterwood Hill. The mention of a 'Hof' house is misleading at this point, we were unable to locate it. Then at Point 11 it should read 'on the approach to the top of the hill, you will encounter a crossing track, ignore this and continue through a wooden gate to the top of the hill. There is a 4-way finger post there, turn left down the grassy slope until you reach a further 4 way finger post, take the hard right which will lead to you down the slope to a further gate on the edge of the woods.' At Point 12 'Go through the gate and follow the path. Cross other paths etc....'. The other slight alteration is at Point 23. There is no house called Chimneys on the left, the cottages there are called Church End Cottages.

4/13/2021 - Emma West

I really enjoyed this walk. It was easy to follow and covered a lovely variety of water, woodlands and open fields, as well as the very pretty villages described in the walk. Lovely Spring flowers in the woods and field edges. Near the end of the walk at point 27 I carried on down the hill instead of turning left so that I could do the section from the mill to the church again - so tranquil and a truly gorgeous stretch of water. Bear left when you hit the road and walk along the field edge to the mill and then retrace the start route. It adds maybe half a mile.

9/28/2015 - Ian & Anne Hobbs

A really lovely walk, and we will certainly do this one again. Just one correction, at point 5 ignore the gap in the hedge on right with marker discs. This just takes you into a field with no exit. Carry on a short distance and then turn left up the track to the gate.

10/6/2013 - Mark Bailey

Richard Clayton - you are a legend - would love to go walking with you one day - we live in Frimley.... This is an excellent walk in many respects. First up, the directions are brilliant - never needed to use the map once and that is a first in nearly 30 WWW for me. The scenery stunning. The clever turns and twists make it a pleasure to turn every corner. The pubs along the way superb. All in all a fantastic walk. RESPECT.

7/11/2013 - Jeremy Kingston

A cracking walk, really enjoyable.

6/2/2009 - Damon Hope

Fantastic walk if ya feeling energetic. beautiful scenery, wildlife and some areas of historical interest. Glad The Gamekeeper Pub in Mapledurwell was open for a well earned pint halfway round... also five ways is a good place to stop for some shady lunch (it was a roasting hot day!) before the final slog back to Greywell... and the Fox and Goose pub for another well deserved jar of the black stuff :)