Moorings on the River Wey Navigation
Key facts
- Type
- River
- Managed by
- National Trust
- Total length
- 32 km(20 miles)
- Region
- South East England
The River Wey Navigation is one of the earliest and most beautifully preserved navigable rivers in England, opened in 1653 to link the medieval town of Guildford to the River Thames at Weybridge — pre-dating the canal era by more than a century. The 32-kilometre navigation, owned and managed by the National Trust since 1964, includes the Wey Navigation proper from Weybridge to Guildford and the Godalming Navigation extension up to Godalming. For boat owners, the Wey offers a unique cruising experience: shallow stop-lock construction, ancient locks, the Town Wharf at Guildford, the Dapdune Wharf heritage site (where Wey barges were built), and gentle Surrey countryside throughout. Long-stay moorings are available at Pyrford Marina (one of the largest marinas in the south), Pyrford Place, Walsham Lock, Newark Priory and at Godalming Wharf at the head of navigation. The connection to the Thames at Weybridge opens the wider river for cruising, and the Basingstoke Canal junction at West Byfleet gives further options. The river passes Pyrford Lock (and the famous Anchor Inn), the Newark Priory ruins, the Wisley garden centre, and the Royal Horticultural Society's Wisley Garden. Liveaboards enjoy a peaceful National Trust waterway with excellent rail at Guildford, Weybridge and Woking (London Waterloo in 30 minutes). A historic and lovingly maintained liveaboard waterway.