North Warnborough, near Hook, Hampshire RG29 1HQ

Odiham Castle

Castle

Place photograph

5.6

Wildland

Under 1 hour for the castle

Time

Check

Cost

Atmospheric

Feel

RiversideRemote countrysideHistory loversWalkersPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

5.6

Built for King John between 1207 and 1214, Odiham Castle was later used as a royal hunting lodge. Its surviving ruins stand beside the Basingstoke Canal.

A compact medieval castle ruin with a documented royal connection and a striking canal-side setting. Its appeal lies in reading the remains on site and pairing the visit with a canal-side walk, rather than expecting an intact or extensive castle.

Atmospheric · Historic

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North Warnborough, near Hook, Hampshire RG29 1HQ

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The experience

Visit the surviving castle remains and earthworks, then consider extending the outing with a walk beside the neighbouring canal. Confirm access and current conditions before setting out.

Things to do

See the surviving castle remains

Explore the ruin and look for the surviving keep and earthworks mentioned in the supplied source. Verify access before visiting.

Under 1 hour

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Under 1 hour

A brief castle visit

01
Check current access before travelling.
02
Visit the castle remains and look for the surviving keep and earthworks.
03
Allow extra time only if you have confirmed a suitable canal-side route.

Half day · Half day

Castle and canal-side walk

01
Check current access and your route to the castle before setting out.
02
Explore the castle remains and earthworks.
03
Extend the visit with a walk beside the Basingstoke Canal, checking route and surface conditions in advance.

Hidden details

A siege during the First Barons’ War — Tripadvisor’s supplied description reports that the castle was besieged for two weeks in 1216. The supplied evidence does not identify surviving physical traces of the siege to look for.

When to go

· No specific time is supported by the supplied evidence.

The supplied sources do not establish a seasonal highlight. Weather may affect a canal-side extension, so check current route conditions.

A supplied secondary source cautions that nearby towpaths can be slippery in wet weather. Check conditions before walking.

Worth pairing with

Basingstoke Canal

The castle is described as standing beside the canal, making a canal-side walk a possible extension. Check access and route conditions before setting out.

What to look for

Look for the surviving stone keep and the earthworks described in the supplied source. The supplied evidence does not establish further specific features to seek.

The story

Medieval; Royalty

Best time to go

No season-specific advantage is established by the supplied evidence; choose a dry day if combining the visit with a towpath walk.

No best time of day is verified. For a canal-side extension, choose a dry day and check current access first.

How long to spend

Under 1 hour for the castle; allow longer if adding a canal-side walk

Perfect for

History lovers · Walkers · Photographers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

North Warnborough, Hook RG29 1HQ

Listed hours

Friday: Open 24 hours
Monday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours

Check before visiting.

Google rating

4.4 · 791 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

A ruined castle beside the Basingstoke Canal. The supplied sources describe it as open to the public, but confirm current access arrangements before travelling.

Parking

Parking location and availability are not reliably established by the supplied sources. Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

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Dogs

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Accessibility

The source row notes that a wheelchair-accessible car park is not available. Surface and access conditions at the castle are not verified; check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

Canal