Marvel at the Deepcut Flight on Section 4, Basingstoke Canal

Section 4 of the Basingstoke Canal Towpath

Section 4 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath takes you from Pirbright Bridge to Curzon Bridge in Deepcut. 

The is a picturesque two mile walk past 11 of the 14 locks in the Deepcut Flight.

The Deepcut Flight

The Deepcut Flight is a series of 14 locks on the Basingstoke Canal between Pirbright and Surrey Heath.  In total these locks raise boats by nearly 100 feet in just 2 miles!

The Locks

The locks have two enormous wooden doors at each end with huge levers. 

The Route

This section of the towpath starts at Lock 15, which is next to Pirbright Bridge 

and a conveniently placed car park.   

Then heads under Cowshott Bridge to Lock 17.

The Bisley Bullet

Along the path are remnants of the Bisley Bullet, a railway line that connected Brookwood to nearby rifle ranges.  This line was closed in the 1950s, leaving only its brick piers.

Curzon Bridge

The path leads past another seven locks 

and ends at Curzon Bridge, a modern bridge that shelters Lock 25. 

Plenty of Wildlife

Wildlife is everywhere along the canal and we spotted butterflies, caterpillars, spiders, ladybirds, newts, freshwater snails and lots of fish, including a large one that looked like a pike.

There were plenty of waterbirds, including ducks and coots with gorgeous chicks.

The Walk 

This section of the towpath is 2 miles long and is not circular. It took us about 1.5 hours, walking at a child’s pace. I often cycle this route and it takes about 20 minutes to reach Pirbright Bridge from Curzon Bridge. 

Uphill or Downhill?

If you cycle or walk from the Deepcut to Pirbright you go down the hills.  If you cycle in the other direction, you are going uphill. 

The Paths

The towpath is generally flat but does rise 100 feet along this stretch. This means that at each lock there is a little hill but nothing we found strenuous. 

It can be muddy in places so be sure to bring wellies if it has been raining.

The surface can be a little bumpy with stones in some places but is easy to use a bike or buggy along.

Where to Next?

North – Section 3: St John’s to Brookwood to Pirbright Bridge        

South – Section 5: Curzon Bridge to Frimley Green to Canal Centre

Nearest Town: Pirbright or Deepcut (depending on which end you start from)
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU24 0AG (on Pirbright Bridge) or GU24 0DN (from Deepcut). The Deepcut postcode will take you to Stanley Hill, which is as close to the Deepcut lay-by as possible to direct with postcodes. The lay-by is actually next to the railway bridge on Gapemouth Road. For the exact location, please see the Where To Go Map as the marker called “Basingstoke Canal Walk 05 – Deepcut to Frimley Green to Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre” points to the lay-by.

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket. 
Facilities: There is a picnic table along the way at lock 28.

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: We parked one car at Pirbright Bridge (where there is room for several cars) and the other at the lay-by on Gapemouth Road (GU24 0PQ – see above for details).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, Canada geese, herons, coots, moorhens, other birds, foxes, stag beetles, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2017
Information Checked: June 2024