Help Forgetful Henry Along the Odiham Castle Story Trail
A ruined medieval castle and the beautiful Basingstoke Canal are a tranquil setting to try one of Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails. The Odiham Castle Story Trail is funny tale called “Henry The Forgetful”.
Odiham Castle Story Trail
It’s a funny story about Henry, a pilgrim making his way from Winchester to Canterbury. He has a couple of mishaps along the way that made my children laugh out loud.
Henry eventually encounters the French army and the soldiers garrisoned at Odiham Castle, so before starting the story it is helpful to explain some of the castle’s history (thankfully outlined in the story pack!).
The Wildlife
We saw ducks, moorhens, grey herons and a huge white bird that turned out to be a great white egret.
Odiham Castle
Odiham Castle was once one of King John’s strongholds. By 1605 the castle lay in ruins.
By 1605 the castle lay in ruins. Today all that remains are the flint cores of the walls.
Where to Start the Trail
As the story pack suggested, we parked in Greywell village at the Fox and Goose pub (RG29 1BY).
To reach the towpath from the pub, leave the car park and turn left and then immediately right onto Deptford Lane (RG29 1BS). There are no pavements between the pub and the footpath.
At the end of the fir hedge on the left-hand side of the lane, is a narrow footpath. This will take you over the Basingstoke Canal, down a short hill and onto the towpath.
The Paths
The paths were mostly wide level but the towpath can be quite stoney. I did not have any access issues with a double, all-terrain buggy, although it was a little muddy in places.
Hampshire CC’s Story Trails
This is one of Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails. These are walks with interactive stories to read along the way, which are told by a cute character called the Story Snail.
Each Story Trail is about one mile long and divided into numbered sections. Numbered markers prompt you to read the sections of the story along the trail.
Find a Story Pack
To follow the Story Trail you need a free pack that you can either borrow from a specified place (with a Hampshire Library card and a £20 returnable deposit) or download a copy of a story trail from the internet in written or audio form.
Each pack has a map to follow and the trail itself is marked with arrows and/or pictures of the Story Snail.
Visit the Odiham Castle Story Trail website
Further Information
Nearest Town: Odiham, near Fleet and Basingstoke
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: RG29 1BY
Opens: Daily
Cost: Free
Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket.
Facilities: Picnic table.
How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.
Parking: We parked in Greywell village at the Fox and Goose pub (RG29 1BY), which the story pack suggested. The pub has a car park.
Cost of Parking: Free
Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, moorhens, herons, birds and insects.
Information Written: February 2017
Ratings
Our visit to the Odiham Caste Story Trail in Odiham, near Fleet and Basingstoke, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.
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