Talk:The Basingstoke Canal & the Military - Aldershot

Talk: The Basingstoke Canal and the Military – Aldershot Military Museum

Location: Aldershot Military Museum, Queens Avenue, Aldershot, GU11 2LG
Date & Time: 15 March 2026, 2:00pm
Cost: £7 (includes tea or coffee)

Event description (SEO-optimised):

Join us at Aldershot Military Museum for our March Tea and Talk event, The Basingstoke Canal and the Military. Roger Cansdale from the Basingstoke Canal Society will explore the fascinating military history of the Basingstoke Canal and its vital role in Aldershot’s development as a major military town.

Discover how the Basingstoke Canal supported the construction of Aldershot Military Camp, the transport of military equipment, and its use by the British Army for training exercises such as bridge building and water crossings. You’ll also hear how the canal became a place of leisure for off-duty soldiers, and how the Army, RAF Odiham and Royal Navy personnel later helped restore the waterway in the 1970s.

This illustrated talk is ideal for anyone interested in:

• military history and heritage

• Aldershot history

• canals and industrial heritage

• local history talks in Hampshire

Enjoy an informative afternoon with a hot drink included in your ticket.

The Museum

The story of Aldershot Military Town and the civil towns of Aldershot, Farnborough and Cove. Housed in the only surviving brick-built barrack blocks left in Aldershot, the museum tells the story of daily life for both soldier and civilian since 1854.  The Museum is a great idea for children who are learning about WW2, there are worksheets that can be collected at the reception with different sheets for the different ages.

Other Museum activities

The Museum also offers a cafe and shop, and a timed assault course outside which can be used in dry weather.  The museum also runs regular activities such as boardgame clubs and in the holidays they also offer workshops such as gardening, History talks and crafts.