Amenities

About Accessible Boating Association

A day trip on Dawn from Odiham allows a peaceful cruise to a picnic lunch and a leisurely return through picturesque country stretches of the Basingstoke Canal, said by many to be one of the prettiest canals in the UK.

We offer two choices of day trip on Dawn: hiring the whole boat for 4 hours or more; or reserving seats on public trips that last around 2½ hours.

There are two choices of out and return route:

• West to King John's (Odiham) Castle near Greywell through the North Warnborough lift bridge to moor close to the castle just short of the limit of navigation and the adjacent winding (turning) hole. Note that this option may not be available when water levels are low.
• A longer distance East to Winchfield passing the picturesque Old Thatch Cottage before reaching Barley Mow wharf and the winding hole just beyond.

Our season runs from April to October.

For more detail of the canal, see our canal page.Cruises on the Basingstoke Canal in our well-equipped 7-berth Madam Butterfly give an opportunity for families or groups with members who require our special facilities to enjoy a restful meander over several days along one of the more attractive canals in England with access to adjacent food and shopping areas along your route.

Here are some suggested itineraries.

A 2-night short break gives time to reach Mytchett and return through one lock at Ash. Or you can take it easy and just visit Fleet.

A week's holiday perhaps allows you to reach Woking and return via flights of locks.

All aspects of Madam Butterfly holiday self-drive charters are managed on behalf of the Accessible Boating Association (ABA) by Galleon Marine Boatyard LLP based on the canal in Odiham.