The Wey is steeped in history and as well as the river itself there’s the Wey Navigation, sections that was created to allow boats carrying passengers and initially cargo access, around which the town grew.

Guildford to Godalming (5 miles)

Five miles south of Guildford on the Wey is Godalming. Just outside Guildford the path opens out into a lovely rural area with open grass lands and the familiar sight of narrowboats moored along the edge. The path continues on past St. Catherine’s Lock and under the railway. When you read Broadford there’s an opportunity to leave the path and head up to the tower on Chinthurst Hill which offers great views on a clear day. Retracing your steps back to the towpath you continue on past Farncombe Boat House and Catteshall Lock until you reach Godalming. You can then either walk back after a nice cuppa or get the train back.

In the summer, normally between Easter and the end of September, horse-drawn narrow boat trips are available from Godalming. See http://www.horseboat.org.uk/ for more details.

Guildford to Pyrford (9 miles) and the Thames (15 miles)

The walk from Guildford to Pyrford is 9 miles and passes through picturesque countryside especially the Lockkeeper’s Cottages at Stoke Lock and Triggs Lock. There are a couple of bridges which you can’t pass under and therefore require crossing several lanes of traffic but the rewards are worth it. At Newark Bridge and Lock are some very old buildings and just beyond are the remains of Newark Priory which is inaccessible to the public. At Pyrford Lock is your reward. The Anchor is a very popular riverside pub serving food and drink from 11.30am until late evening with a very extensive menu suitable for those who want a light meal or something more substantial.

Pyrford Lock is close to West Byfleet should you decide to terminate your walk here.

If you decide to continue your walk to the Thames at Weybridge, it’s another six miles and unfortunately a portion of this is alongside the M25 which ruins the once peaceful setting but once you’re past this stretch it’s back to the quiet of the canal as you get towards the outskirts of Weybridge and it becomes more built up.

Getting back from the Thames Lock, should you chose to go that far means either retracing your steps and getting a bus (Mon – Sat only) from the town bridge to West Byfleet or head towards the town centre to get a train from Weybridge (it’s some distance from the town).

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you’ve got the proper attire for the weather and have detailed information about the walks which is available online or in local guide books.

Chris Kent

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Serra was born in Ankara, Turkey and has a mechanical engineering Ph.D. She is an academic staff member at Gazi University but her work has brought her to Guildford as a visiting researcher at the University of Surrey. She loves literature, cinema (especially Walt Disney films, Japanese anime and Marvel) as well as being an amateur photographer and charcoal-drawer. She is hypnotized by the colours green and blue and loves the piano and violin, being particularly fond of Beethoven and Vincent van Gogh, blogging on books, arts and gardening in what is left of her spare time. Please enjoy her charming and enchanting journey through Guildford…

I was creating sentences in my mind as always, while walking down Guildford Park Road under a surprisingly bright evening sky; one of those you will always remember and tell your loved ones about when you get old. Some sprinkles of rain began falling on my face, caressed by the soft wind of a warm, busy day.

I was walking home as I passed over one of the bridges on the River Wey in Guildford, a moment I had dreamt about for six months whilst I still lived in Turkey. Since the day I had been accepted into the University of Surrey as a visiting researcher I had glanced at pictures of the buildings and streets of Guildford on the internet and wondered…

Although it was a blurry dream a few months ago, now I walk on the cobblestone pavements of the High Street every Saturday, enjoying the local tastes at the market on North Street, discovering something new every time I go out for a walk with my camera. There is either a musician filling the air with his melody or new shops to explore down hidden streets. I feel amazed at the natural beauty of the parks and gardens and stunned by the cosy nature of the houses on the roads.

This is the most student, youth and family-friendly town I could ever imagine living in and luckily for me it is both lively and peaceful, crowded and secluded. It is surrounded by the heavenly green hills and embroidered with classical British architecture at the centre and like a brooch of an English lady, Guildford Cathedral stands at the highest point dominating the skyline. The bridges slip over the river like thin rings over the fingers of British girls and standing proud is the train station intersecting various points of the railway network.

There is still so much more for me to see, learn and experience here. Autumn has nearly ended and I cannot wait to see snowflakes fall over Our Town, covering it with a white blanket and hushing every voice as it does in cities all round the globe. After that I look forward to April when the air will be covered with the smell of blossom before summer calls from the tip of every branch in June and our lungs will be filled with the whispers of the sea far away.

Written and photographed by Serra Topal

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The pub is located a stone’s throw away from the bottom of the High Street, past Debenhams, the Yvonne Arnaud and Millbrook car park on the way to Shalford Park, which means it is easily accessible even if you are driving. They have recently completed a heated, covered area to extend the summer season for those wishing to gaze over the river, but if not then the pub also boasts a well decorated, comfortable interior with plenty of room. The pub has the ability to host some small private parties for engagements and birthdays etc, but has no separate function room like you might find at various other places.

The Weyside may be slightly more expensive than some other pubs, however, you cannot argue with the quality and location on offer. And talking about offers, they do run some very reasonable saver options like the coffee and a cake deal for only £3.50, curry and sides for £9.95 from 5pm on Thursdays, champagne from £20 a bottle from 5pm-8pm on Fridays and a free drink to theatre goers when they purchase a meal and present their ticket.

As you would expect of a free house, the Weyside has an interesting range of wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks. There is a range of local ales, some from further afield as well as Erdinger Wheat beer and Westons cider. On the menu there is a pleasant mixture of starters, chiabattas, sharing platters, jacket potatoes, sides as well as the mains which include Duck Confit, Pan Seared Scallops and Roasted Butternut Squash. There are a variety of fresh chef’s specials available daily as well.

The Weyside is an elegant and beautiful place to spend time, especially when the sun is out and the terrace is full of buoyant faces. However, it is equally pleasing to drop by for a glass of wine before a trip to the theatre or after a long day shopping in the town centre.

James Martin

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We had made a good decision to move back to this neck of the woods. As I struck out, morning sun on my back, I savoured that thought. I was walking into Guildford town centre following the river; the simple pleasures like this were making me feel smug. My first week living in Shalford and I was doing all the important things first, like trying to choose my local pub. In this area you are always spoilt for choice, I had narrowed it down to either The Queen Vic or The Seahorse. Do you need to have a local? I had asked myself exasperated. There and then I decided, for me, it would be down to whether I wanted a place to hibernate or a place to summon the sun. It would depend on a whim and the weather.

I continued my walk at a gentle pace, slow enough to relish watching the many butterflies be buffeted by the wind, as they staggered amongst the high grass in a flurry of colour. I smelt the river before I heard it, and I saw it last of all, a steady lethargic sprawl, slow dancing with the green sunny freshness right into Guildford and beyond. It was easy to imagine barges laden with cargo floating past towards the gunpowder wharf at Stonebridge. The cathartic whoosh and rattle of a train going past interrupted that image and reminded me why it was only that. The functional charm of the river celebrated by Daniel Defoe has now been superseded by the ebb and flow of nature’s rhythm and the enjoyment of all who pass through. As I strolled with these thoughts saying hello to others enjoying the river, on bike, boat, barge, kayak and foot it was plain to see the River Wey continues to play an integral part in community life.

By now I had reached the sandy banks leading up to St Catherine’s Chapel. A great place to go for a view and to feel the small cliffs rumble as a train charges through. Easily the best past time there (as demonstrated by several children) is to charge down the sand into the river, staining clothes and skin in a remarkably successful fashion as you go. Having already passed several superior swimming spots and now stood in the shade of the tall trees I was not tempted to have a swim, this time. Although I was not swimming I could sense what Roger Deakin had meant in his book Waterlog when he said,

‘I grew convinced that following water, flowing with it, would be a way of getting under the skin of things, of learning something new. I might learn about myself too.’ Pg3

That was exactly what I hoped to do and I was cheered to think that this would be a regular route for me, helping me to connect to the place and get under Guildford’s skin. Saying that though, my unwillingness to deviate from the river meant I had forgotten to stop off at the 18th century Watermill back near Shalford. It is a beautiful spot, in days gone by managing to harvest water from the Tillingbourne stream without spoiling the landscape but in fact adding to it. Never mind I thought, I could walk back from Guildford via the Watermill by going over the Chantries or St Martha’s, that way taking advantage of the wonderful woodland and the elevation.

After all circuitous routes do run in my family, my Grandfather for instance was well known for his long detours into Guildford on his way to the Quaker meeting. As Guildford Mayor he had championed the footpaths in the surrounding area and the countryside they made accessible. As I approached the lock by the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, entirely refreshed, I was thankful he and many others like him had done just that and I thought perhaps I could be one of them too.

Tom Burgess

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When the British weather is not being so kind, there is also a substantial terraced area at the back of the pub which hosts a multitude of large benches, with huge parasols covering the entire area from the elements. With enough heaters to keep everyone outside warm, it is a cosy area to sit in the winter months if there is a big group of you.

Inside, the pub has a modern finish with wooden floors, pale walls and a nice mixture of leather sofas/benches, chairs, candles, chandeliers, ornaments and pictures. Its intimacy often resembles a suave hotel lobby, but is certainly a great place to sit and enjoy an ale in front of a roaring log fire or catch some live local music at one of the many events they hold all year round.

On the menu you have a classic combination of pub grub in the evening with ham & eggs, pies, steaks, fish & chips, casserole and burgers; all at a reasonable modern day prices with generous portion sizes. Lighter bites are served during the day, Monday-Saturday until 6pm with a roast dinner served on a Sunday as all self-respecting British pubs do. There are daily specials that make the most of locally sourced, fresh, seasonal produce and of course, something for the vegetarians out there.

The Brit is a great place to go enjoy one drink a glass of wine or a beer from their fine selection of draft and bottles whether it be on a sunny day or a chilled winters eve. However, with its central location and a car park outside it is a great place to go if you are visiting one of Guildford town centre’s many attractions.

James Martin

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In the fifty years since its inception, Wey Kayak Club has produced multiple National and International Champions. Most notably, members of the Club won the gold medal in K1, (single kayak) at the Juniors Men’s event at the marathon championships in Bergen, Norway, 2004. They also won the prestigious Sella Trophy in Spain in 2002 and 2003. Not only that but several members also represented Great Britain in Sprint kayaking at various Olympic Games; playing a part of the British teams for the Games in Seoul – 1988, Los Angeles – 1992, Barcelona – 1996, and at London – 2012. So if you happened to see the Sprint kayaking event at last year’s Games then you will have seen members of our very own Wey Kayak Club carving through the water.

However, beginners can be encouraged as it is not just the best and the brightest that are welcome down at the Waterside Centre. Even if you have never before set foot or paddle onto the river, Wey Kayak Club has over thirty BCU qualified coaches who are ready, willing and able to start you on your journey.

The friendly staff can take you from beginner level up to the levels of international champion, just ask Liam Heath, who won the Bronze medal in the K2 200m sprint at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and who is a proud member of the Wey Kayak Club.

If you are curious about the pleasures of flat water kayaking and canoeing, but cautious regarding committing to becoming a full time member, why not try one of their introductory courses? Held during the spring and the summer, these short term courses are designed to teach the very basics of kayaking and canoeing to beginners.

We encourage you to take advantage of this fantastic local resource, whether for yourself, your family, or just as something to try out with friends. Learn from some of the best in the country and see a whole new (wetter) side to Guildford. For more information on Wey Kayak Club, the courses that they offer and contact information, visit their website at www.weykayakclub.co.uk

Charli Aisha Harris

Image sourced from: http://tinyurl.com/pxxs29o

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The successful and award-winning visitor centre at Dapdune Wharf is the centrepiece of one of the National Trust’s most unusual properties, the River Wey Navigations. The centre provides families with the opportunity to learn about the journey of Surrey’s famous waterways and the people that lived and worked on it, whilst having a fun family day out in the process. The centre brings to life stories of the historical waterway through interactive displays, a smithy, and a stable. You can have fun at one of their many events, relax on a boat trip, climb aboard a restored barge, learn how to tie a knot, picnic and enjoy a scenic walk or even let the children explore or build dens on out island and raid the dressing up box.

The centre has a series of interactive exhibits and displays which allow you to discover the fascinating story of Surrey’s secret waterway, one of the first British rivers to be made navigable. Here you can see where the huge Wey barges were built and climb aboard two of the only three remaining Wey barges in the world. The ‘Reliance’ is permanently damaged and kept in a graving (dry) dock whereas the ‘Perseverance IV’ is still floating but in desperate need of repair, being the subject of a 2010 National Trust restoration appeal.

Although no longer used as a goods transhipment point, the wharf is the starting point for boat trip hire and horse-drawn boat trips. Or, with 20 miles of towpaths, there is lots of walking to be done for anyone who is intrigued by the history and complex landscapes surrounding the Wey Navigations. In some urban parts and built up areas you can glide through pasture and woodland, glinting past rural scenes, echoing its industrial past. There is even a do-it-yourself walk activity available for visitors that gives everyone something to do and children’s trails and special events run throughout the season.

Whether it is sunny or grey, a boat trip from Dapdune Wharf into Guildford and back is a great way to spend some time. There is also a fantastic opportunity to take part in a meet and greet of volunteer skippers whilst enjoying the scenery and a chance to go pond-dipping in the creek. A visit also offers a chance for you and the family to enjoy and explore the tranquil surrounding area.

Ade Lawal

Visiting Centre open all year round 11am-5pm
River trips available, weather permitting.
Boat Trip: Dapdune Belle/Seewey 40 minutes

Image sourced from: http://tinyurl.com/p7s6499

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