Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Send and Return - 23 miles, 14 locks, 10.5 hours total
A good weekend option for those wanting to take their time and explore some of the pretty towns and villages along the way. This is also a good route for beginners as there is a lock at the boatyard for training and then a little break before the next one, giving you a bit of time to get used to the tiller! Passing through the beautifully tranquil St Catherine’s cut you’ll reach the centre of Guildford, which offers fantastic shopping, a cinema and a good variety of restaurants and pubs. Guildford Castle in the town centre and Guildford Cathedral are worth visiting if you have time. Following on from Guildford travel through rural countryside to the village of Send, passing Sutton Place- the Grade I listed Tudor Manor House and The New Inn pub. Continue onto Papercourt Lock and turn here, starting your journey back to base.
Intermediate route: Pyrford and Return - 28 miles, 22 locks, 14 hours total
Start your journey by heading through Guildford, spotting the riverside pubs as you go. Travel through the National Trust’s Dapdune Wharf, where there is a visitor’s centre. Take in the rural scenery as you carry on through some of Surrey’s best countryside through the village of Send. Possibly stopping off to marvel at Sutton Place or at Send village to see the 18th Century houses. From Send you are approximately a 3-4 hours cruise to Pyrford, on the way you will pass through a few nicely spaced locks until you come to The Anchor pub, from here it is a 20 minute walk into the village of Pyrford. Your turning point for the journey will be at Pyrford Basin, just a short cruise from The Anchor pub. Pyrford Basin is also the best mooring spot for a visit to the famous RHS Wisley Gardens.
Active route: Weybridge and Return - 38 miles, 26 locks, 18 hours total
A busy weekend route, best enjoyed over a midweek break if you’d like time to stop off and visit various attractions. You will be travelling the full length of the River Wey up to the village of Weybridge, where the River Wey meets the Thames at Shepperton Lock. Cruising through the picturesque Surrey countryside you will pass many pretty towns and villages along the way such as Guildford, Send and Pyrford. Cruise through Byfleet and past Parvis Bridge, where you will notice the river becoming more rural, there is a pub, the White Hart at New Haw should you need to stop for refreshments. Another half an hour‘s cruising and you will arrive at the suburban town of Weybridge, an interesting commuter town, home to the Brooklands Museum and as it is known as the ‘fashion quarter of Surrey’ there are plenty of shops to peruse. Weybridge town lock provides a turning point for the journey home.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Kingston and Return - 54 miles, 34 locks, 24 hours total
This route will give you the opportunity to cruise the full length of the River Wey, and join onto the River Thames. Travel through Weybridge and to the Thames Wey Junction, go east onto the River Thames, where all the locks are manned. Once again you will be passing through riverside villages, such as Walton-on-Thames before you reach Hampton, home to the famous Hampton Court Palace. To visit this impressive palace moor up at Hampton Court Moorings, for a short walk to the palace. Carrying on from here you will pass through the unspoilt riverside village of Thames Ditton until you reach the final destination of Kingston-upon-Thames. From the moorings in the town centre you will be able see all that the market town has to offer, including the Bentall shopping centre, the ancient market place and numerous bars and restaurants.
Intermediate route: Windsor and Return - 72 miles, 44 locks, 32.5 hours total
Travelling the full length of the River Wey to the Thames Wey Junction where you will head west onto the River Thames. On your cruise to Windsor you will pass through the towns of Chertsey and Staines. If you fancy a day out at one the UK’s top theme parks then moor up right next to Thorpe Park in Chertsey for a day of thrills. For a more relaxing day out, visit the RHS Savill Garden, Britain’s finest ornamental garden. Travel under the Victoria and Albert bridges, between the two you will have stunning views across the park to Windsor. Once moored up in the town you will be able to visit Windsor Castle or get a bus to Legoland Windsor, only 2 miles from the centre of town. Continue on past Windsor Racecourse and turn at Windsor Marina for your return journey.
Active route: Henley-on-Thames and Return - 108 miles, 58 locks, 50 hours total
Travel west onto the Thames at the Thames Wey Junction and pass through riverside towns such as Chertsey, Staines, Windsor, Maidenhead and Marlow through to Henley-on-Thames. This route will give you the opportunity to travel one of the prettiest stretches of the River Thames. The beautiful market town of Henley-on-Thames is set in the heart of Oxfordshire countryside, offering stunning views and rural scenery as you cruise closer to the town. Visitor moorings are available at Mill Meadow should you wish to explore what the historic Henley-on-Thames has to offer, close to the moorings is the River & Rowing Museum which features displays and information about the River Thames. Use your return journey to stop off at the towns along the way if time permits, continue back to the Thames-Wey junction and cruise the length of the River Wey, back to the base at Farncombe.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Reading and Return - 127 miles, 66 locks, 54.5 hours total
Best explored over a two week period as this will allow plenty of time to visit the many attractions and towns along the River Thames. Reading is now one of the largest towns in the UK, home to The Oracle shopping centre located on the banks of the River Kennet. One of the UK’s top shopping locations, Reading has a variety of independent and chain retailers, there are also six museums and a Victorian gaol close to the town centre, making Reading an interesting town to visit. On the return journey from Reading you’ll cruise through surprisingly scenic stretches of the River Thames, stopping off at some of the pretty riverside villages and pubs to make the most of your two week holiday.
Intermediate route: Oxford and Return - 204 miles, 92 locks, 83.5 hours total
Travel the entire length of the River Wey and head west at the Thames-Wey Junction, continuing on past the riverside towns and villages to Reading. Cruise past the mouth of the River Kennet and continue on the River Thames through to Oxford, passing through many attractive Oxfordshire villages. Once in Oxford the scenery becomes slightly more urban with houses and the odd pub facing the river. Moor up in one of the designated mooring spots close to the city centre and explore all that the City of Dreaming Spires has to offer. Visit the famous colleges of Oxford University, along with some of the many historic buildings that give Oxford its character and charm. Turn at Oxford for your return journey back to base.
Active Route: Hungerford and Return - 182 miles, 128 locks, 90 hours total
This energetic route will give you the opportunity to cruise on three different waterways, the River Wey, River Thames and part of the Kennet & Avon Canal. There will be a good variety of rural scenery, mixed with towns and villages along the way. Once you arrive at Reading, leave the River Thames and join the Kennet & Avon, where you will pass tree-lined towpaths, tackling locks and swing bridges. Pass under Newbury Bridge and stop off at the Lock, Stock and Barrel canalside pub if you’re in need of refreshment. Continue on from Newbury until you reach the charming town of Hungerford, surrounded by beautiful countryside and hosting an abundance of friendly pubs and antique stores, it’s a nice pit stop before starting your return journey back to Farncombe.
