One of the surprises hiding along the Basingstoke Canal are flashes – one minute you are walking along a narrow canal and the next, a beautiful lake known as a flash.
Big and Small Flashes Section 6 of the Basingstoke Canal Towpath This is not a circular path. The Route Plenty of Wildlife You can often spot hidden herons… The Walk or Cycle The Paths 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? 
There are two types of flashes. The big flashes are lakes that predate the canal. 
The smaller flashes are natural depressions that flooded when the canal was created. 
This bridge hides…
…a gorgeous lake!
Along this section of the canal you find Anglers’ Flash, Greatbottom Flash, Rushmoor Flash and Claycart Flash. 
Section 6 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath takes you on a 3 mile walk from the Basingstoke Canal Centre in Mytchett 
to Wellesley Woodlands in Aldershot. 
This section of the towpath starts at the Basingstoke Canal Centre, which has a play area and cafe. 
Then you pass two areas where the canal opens up – Mytchett Lake and Anglers’ Flash. 
From here it is on to the Ash Aqueduct, which flies the canal over the A331
and on to Ash Lock.
Along the way you go under bridges, 
some of which are very low
and come complete with graffiti!
Your destination is Wellesley Woodlands with its paths, brass rubbing and activity trails. 
Wildlife is everywhere along the canal with plenty of waterbirds, including ducks and coots with gorgeous chicks. 
…and a fox ran out across the path when I was cycling. 
This section of the towpath is 3 miles long and is not circular. It took us about 2.5 hours, walking at a child’s pace.
I often cycle this route and it takes about 30 minutes to go from the Canal Centre to Wellesley Woodlands. 
The towpath is generally flat but can be muddy in places if it has been raining. 
There is a road crossing at Ash Lock, so you need to take care. 
North – Section 5: The Deepcut Flight between Curzon Bridge and the Canal Centre 
South – Section 7: Wellesley Woods to Fleet to Crookham Wharf
Visit the Basingstoke Canal website
Further Information
Nearest Town: Mytchett or Aldershot (depending on which end you start from) Opens: Daily Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket or eat at a cafe or pub along the way. How Long We Spent There: About three hours. Parking: We parked one car at the Basingstoke Canal Centre (GU16 6DD) and a second at Wellesley Woodlands (GU11 2RE). Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, Canada geese, herons, coots, moorhens, other birds, foxes, stag beetles, butterflies and other insects. Information Written: June 2024
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU16 6DD (the Canal Centre). GU11 2RE (Wellesley Woodlands).
Cost: Free
Facilities: There is a picnic table along the way at Ash Lock and also at Wellesley Woodlands. There is a cafe and picnic area at the Canal Centre. You also pass a canal-side pub, The Swan, just before you reach Ash Vale. At Ash Vale there are shops and a cafe.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.
Cost of Parking: Free
Ratings
Our visit to the Section 6 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath from the Canal Centre in Mytchett to Wellesley Woodlands in Aldershot is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.
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