Odiham Castle is better known by the locals as
"King John's Castle".
This is the same King John
who signed
Magna Carta way back in 1215. I believe it was used as an overnight
lodge, during Royal hunting trips from
Windsor Castle
The existance of this magical place is not
widely known - probably because it is well hidden
in trees, and cannot be seen from any road.
To reach it you must walk along this lovely
stretch of the old Basingstoke Canal.
You should have no problem finding the Geocache: just go straight to
the spot and look for it, cradled low in an ivy covered tree, near the moat.
Please make sure it is well covered by something natural looking.
We reccomend that you start at "The Fox and Goose" at Greywell
at location N 51° 15.439 W 000° 58.335.
To find the small village of Greywell, take the Odiham and
Fleet turn-off at junction 4 of the M3, and follow signs
for Greywell. If you miss the first one, on the right,
take the Odiham (3rd) exit off the next roundabout
(after the Odiham bypass), carry on past the Petrol station
on left and Swan Pub on right, over the canal hump bridge,
and take the sign (right) for Greywell at the next roundabout.
You will need to take a right off this road, some way out
of North Warnborough, for the road to Greywell. At the T junction
you will find "The Fox and Goose" to your left.
They have
parking and a large play area and beer garden at the rear.
They usually have a Guy Fawkes bonfire and fireworks each year
near 5th November
- following much more recent English history, dating from 1605 :-)
Go back a few yards down the road to Odiham, and take the
footpath signed to the canal.
You will find yourself walking over the end of the canal,
where it enters the Greywell Tunnel.
This is no longer
navigable, having collapsed years ago. However, Robin's
friend Trevor said that, as a boy, he paddled the whole
length on his own, from the Basigstoke end, in a canoe
made from a stolen aircraft fuel tank :-) There is a sign
near the edge of the canal, giving more details.
This tunnel is now barred up, for safety, and is Europe's
largest bat sanctuary. In fact, I understand there is now
a running battle between the bat lovers, who want to keep it
that way, and the Basingstoke Canal enthusiasts, who want
to repair the tunnel and make it navigable again.
Further along the tow-path, on the north bank, taking you
eastward, you will reach a spot, marked by bouys, where
boats are encouraged to turn round - to avoid grounding
on the shallow last few hundred yards of canal before
the tunnel. This is also where the canal widens to a pool,
enabling the larger boats to turn, and where the Whitewater river
runs under the canal - yes - under it :-)
Not much further along, and you will come across King John's Castle.
An alternative approach is along the canal from "The Water Witch"
Public House, at N 51° 15.529 W 000° 55.925. On this stretch, between the castle and The Water Witch, you will
find a "windy-uppy" bridge. The bridge is at
N 51° 15.606 W 000° 57.434 and a few minutes north up this lane
is a ford, which is a nice spot to visit at N 51° 15.712 W 000° 57.506.
You will find more Lovelock caches on www.gpss.co.uk/geocache If you wish to contact Robin and want a reply, please email him direct on gpss@compuserve.com If you do this through a geocaching web site, please make sure you include your email address. Robin regrets that he may not reply to those who seek to hide who they are. Please include at least your name and email address.