Unpowered boats and paddleboards

All unpowered boats (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, inflatable boats, stand-up-paddleboards) require a licence

Private pleasure craft

You need a licence to use your private canoes, kayaks, rowboats, inflatable boats or stand-up-paddleboards for pleasure on the Basingstoke Canal. 

Members of Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing) are covered to use canoes, kayaks and paddleboards on the Basingstoke Canal. Carry your membership card with you.

All water sports are undertaken at your own risk.

Commercial use

Commercial use of the Canal requires a separate commercial licence with the Basingstoke Canal Authority. If you intend to use the canal or any canal property in any way in conjunction with your private business, you are required to hold a commercial licence. This may include activities such as running or guiding courses, trips or tours or hiring out of canoes/kayaks/paddleboards.

Contact the Canal Office to enquire, phone 01252 370073 or [email protected].

Large unpowered boat licence

Large unpowered boats take up more space and are charged at a different rate. These are manually propelled boats exceeding three rowers or capable of taking six persons in total on board, or any boat over 20ft (6m) in overall length.

Large unpowered boats stored in the Canal will also require a mooring agreement. Contact the Canal Office for more details.

Buy an unpowered boat licence

Small unpowered boat/paddleboard licence

  • Small boat day licence
  • £6
  • per day
  • Small boat weekly licence
  • £17.50
  • per week
  • Small boat annual licence
  • £48.50
  • per year

Large unpowered boat licence

Large unpowered boats which are manually propelled boats exceeding Three rowers or capable of taking six persons in total on board. Also all boats over 20ft (6m) in overall length.

  • Large boat day licence
  • £8.50
  • per day
  • Large boat weekly licence
  • £27
  • per week
  • Large boat annual licence
  • £72.50
  • per year