The Wey was one of the first British rivers to be made navigable and opened to barge traffic in 1653, and it is quite unusual. The Wey has two separate sources in two different counties. The two River Weys unite near the historic Tilford Oak in Surrey. The Wey and its two Navigations flow across 87 miles (140 km) of countryside, yet drop a mere 98 feet (30 m) by the time the waterway joins the Thames at Weybridge.
Start Directions: Limited off-road parking on the opposite side of the canal to the Anchor pub. The Anchor pub car park is for customers only and barrier controlled.
On the A3, travelling towards London, between Ripley and the junction with the M25, take the slip road signed for Wisley Royal Horticultural Society. Turn into Wisley Lane and continue on this minor road that leads to Pyrford Lock. Cross over the canal bridge (tight width restriction) for the limited off-road parking immediately on the left.
Or, from the A245 at West Byfleet, take the minor roads to Pyrford Green, thence to Pyrford Lock.
Finish Directions: Public car adjacent to lock (free with height restriction).
Turn off the A317 between Weybridge and Addlestone into the Bourne & Weybridge Business Park. Take the first exit at the mini roundabout that leads to the canal and Weybridge Town Lock. Opposite the lock, turn into Weystone Road for the car park. If travelling from Pyrford Lock, the most direct route is via the A3, M25 and (J11) for Chertsey, then A317 for Weybridge.
The two River Weys unite near the historic Tilford Oak in Surrey. The Wey and its two Navigations flow across 87 miles (140 km) of countryside, yet drop a mere 98 feet (30 m) by the time the waterway joins the Thames at Weybridge.
The river has been recorded in history as the Wegan (956–1225) and Waie (1190–1193). During the seventeenth century, the river was made navigable to Guildford and extended in the eighteenth century to Godalming.
The Basingstoke Canal and Wey and Arun Junction Canal were later connected to the river. The navigable sections are now owned by the National Trust.
The river has long been used as a source of power for mills, and many are recorded in the Domesday Book. At one point, there were 22 mills on the river, and more on its tributaries. At various times, they have been used for:
- Grinding grains
- Fulling wool
- Rolling oats
- Crushing cattle cake
- Leather dressing
- Paper production
- Gunpowder manufacture
There were more watermills per mile along the River Wey than anywhere else in Britain. This 15½-mile waterway linked Guildford to Weybridge on the Thames, and then to London.
The Godalming Navigation opened in 1764, enabling barges to work a further four miles upriver.
The award-winning visitor centre at Dapdune Wharf in Guildford tells the story of the Navigations and the people who lived and worked on them. Visitors can see where the huge Wey barges were built and climb aboard Reliance, one of three surviving barges.
