Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Weybridge and Return – 13 miles, 16 locks, 9 hours total
Start the journey from the base on the River Wey heading downstream. Cruise through Papercourt Lock and meander through the fields below. You can moor here but mind the cows who can be very curious! The route enters quite a wooded section on the approach to Newark Lock and this feels like a remote spot and can be quite atmospheric especially towards day's end with the ruins of Newark Priory close by. Within 2 miles is Pyrford Lock below which is the popular Anchor Inn with its waterside garden. Moor just past the pub on the towpath side, but not directly opposite the marina where your boat could cause an obstruction for other boats coming in or out of the entrance. A quiet rural stretch follows as the canal approaches Byfleet and goes past private gardens. At Woodham Junction with the Basingstoke Canal, the M25 and railway bridges fly above you, after which all is serene towards New Haw Lock, the White Hart pub is here should you need to stop for refreshments. Another half an hour cruising will bring you to 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. Pass down Weybridge town lock and turn for the return journey.
Intermediate Route: Godalming and Return - 11 miles, 14 locks, 11 hours total
A good weekend option for those wanting to take their time and explore Guildford with its cathedral, castle, museum, shopping centre including the cobbled pedestrian high street, the Yvonne Arnaud theatre, cinemas and places to eat etc. Travel upstream from the base through rural countryside, past the New Inn pub - (a convenient stop on your last night), to Triggs Lock. The navigation sweeps around Sutton Place - a Grade I listed Tudor Manor House and then re-joins the river and a wider expanse of water with water lilies growing in the margins. A sharp left hand bend into Bowers Lock, one of the most picturesque settings; the nearby house was once a water mill. Stoke Lock is a mile further on and the character changes as you approach nearer the town centre. Moorings at Dapdune Wharf will allow you to visit the National Trust visitor centre, worth a stop. Other moorings are available by Town bridge in the centre of Guildford. We also recommend mooring above Millmead lock just beyond the rowing club by the water meadows for quieter evenings, but still only 15 minutes walk into the town.
At this point the Wey Navigation becomes the Godalming Navigation. Cruise under the footbridge which replaces an ancient foot ferry from St Satherine's Hill, site of an old chapel on the Pilgrims Way and take care around a couple of sharp bends. The navigation straightens out towards St Catherine's Lock, which feels quite remote after the hustle and bustle in Guildford. Flat meadow land follows as far as the low Broadford Bridge and the junction with the Wey and Arun canal (now useful permanent moorings) and then woodland starts to encroach on the banks as Unstead Lock is reached. On the approach to Godalming there is a hire boat yard and tea rooms below the last lock, Catteshall Lock, go up through and turn above in the weir stream or carry on for about half a mile to the last turning point on this navigable section. There is a convenient supermarket here, easy access to Godalming centre and a water point.
Active route: Weybridge, Godalming and Return – 37 miles, 30 locks, 20 hours total
Combining both of the above trips, but with less stopping time, this option is best enjoyed over a midweek break. This covers the whole length of the Wey & Godlaming Navigations to the village of Weybridge, where the River Wey meets the Thames at Thames Lock, the only manned lock on the waterway. Cruising through the picturesque Surrey countryside you will pass many pretty towns and villages along the way such as Ripley and Pyrford. The river becomes more rural passing through Byfleet; continue through New Haw and past the riverside pub. Another 30 minutes cruising will bring you to the suburban town of Weybridge. This interesting commuter town is home to the Brooklands Museum as well as many independent shops, pubs and restaurants. Turn at Weybridge town lock and start the journey back past the boatyard and on to the town of Guildford. Moor by Onslow Bridge or the Town Bridge to walk into the town centre to visit Guildford Castle and Guildford Cathedral or spend an afternoon indulging in a bit of retail therapy or sampling one of the many bars, pubs and restaurants Guildford has to offer. Cruise on through the very scenic St Catherine’s Cut and on to the moorings at Lammas Lands for a short walk into the historic market town of Godalming across the Town Bridge. There are several good pubs in the town, a few restaurants and a fish & chip shop, along with some interesting independent shops to browse. Turn at the winding hole provided to start the return journey to base.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Godalming, Kingston and Return – 54 miles, 36 locks, 26 hours total
This route will give you the opportunity to cruise the full length of the River Wey, and join onto the River Thames. Start your journey upstream heading through Triggs lock towards Dapdune Wharf and Guildford, mooring by the bridges if you wish to visit the town. Continue through the picturesque St Catherine’s Cut and to the moorings at Lammas Lands for a short walk into the market town of Godalming. Spend the evening here, picking up fish & chips or trying one of the town’s pubs or restaurants. Turn at the winding hole and travel back past the base, cruising north through the villages of Send, Byfleet and Weybridge. Cruise to the Thames-Wey Junction and through Thames Lock to join on to the River Thames (an additional licence will be required and can be purchased at the lock). 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, Godalming and Return – 67 miles, 44 locks, 31.5 hours total
Start your journey down on the River Wey through the villages, Byfleet and Weybridge. Join the River Thames (an additional licence will be required and can be purchased Shepperton Lock). Head west on The Thames, 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. 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 to start the second part of your journey. Cruise back through the Thames Lock, past the boatyard and on to the town of Guildford. Moor by Onslow Bridge or the Town Bridge to walk into the town centre to visit Guildford Castle and Guildford Cathedral or spend an afternoon indulging in a bit of retail therapy or sampling one of the many bars, pubs and restaurants Guildford has to offer. Cruise on through the very scenic St Catherine’s Cut and on to the moorings at Lammas Lands for a short walk into the historic market town of Godalming across the Town Bridge. There are several good pubs in the town, a few restaurants and a fish & chip shop, along with some interesting independent shops to browse. Turn at the winding hole provided to start the return journey to base.
Active route: Henley-on-Thames and Return – 96 miles, 52 locks, 42 hours total
Start your journey from the base, cruising almost the full length of the River Wey up to the Thames Lock in Weybridge. Enter the Thames andn turn upstream through Shepperton Lock (an additional licence will be required and can be purchased at the lock) and join the River Thames. Travel west onto the Thames and pass through riverside towns such as Chertsey, Staines, Windsor, Maidenhead and Marlow. This route will give you the opportunity to travel one of the prettiest stretches of the River Thames. Cruise on from Marlow, travelling through a thick-wooded stretch and past the tiny village of Aston to Henley-on-Thames. This beautiful market town 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 back past the pretty riverside towns and villages on the way back to the base.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Reading and Return – 115 miles, 60 locks, 50 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. Start your journey from the base, cruising almost the full length of the River Wey up to the Thames Lock, just past Weybridge. Pass through the lock (an additional licence will be required and can be purchased at the lock) and join the River Thames. Travel west onto the Thames and pass through riverside towns such as Chertsey, Windsor, Marlow and Henley-on-Thames. This route will give you the opportunity to travel one of the prettiest stretches of the River Thames. Cruise on from Marlow, travelling through a thick-wooded stretch and past the tiny village of Aston to Henley-on-Thames. Visitor moorings are available at Mill Meadow should you wish to explore what the historic Henley-on-Thames has to offer. Continue cruising from Henley-on-Thames through the town of Wargrave, where there are a couple of pubs close to the river. Pass through the pretty village of Sonning and onto the town of Reading, mooring close to Reading Bridge for a short walk into the town. 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. 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 – 193 miles, 84 locks, 78 hours total
Start your journey from the base, cruising almost the full length of the River Wey up to the Thames Lock, just past Weybridge. Pass through the lock (an additional licence will be required and can be purchased at the lock) and join the River Thames. Travel west at the Thames-Wey Junction, continuing on past the riverside towns of Windsor and Henley-on-Thames to the town of Reading. Moor close to Reading Bridge for a short walk into the town to sample one of the many restaurants or to spend an afternoon indulging in a bit of retail therapy at The Oracle shopping centre. Cruise on from Reading and continue on the River Thames through to Oxford, passing through many attractive Oxfordshire villages such as Wallingford and Abingdon. Once in Oxford the scenery becomes slightly more urban with houses and the odd pub facing the river. Moor up near Isis Lock 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. There are many museums, shops, pubs and restaurants to explore before starting your return journey. Use the winding hole near the lock to turn your boat and head back down the Thames, making the most of the numerous attractions and riverside restaurants on offer as you travel back to the River Wey.
Active Route: Hungerford and Return – 170 miles, 122 locks, 85 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. Cruise along the River Wey up to the Thames Lock (an additional licence will be required and can be purchased at the lock) and join the River Thames heading west. Pass through beautiful riverside towns such as Windsor and Henley-on-Thames, with plenty of pubs dotted along the river to stop for an evening meal or lazy lunch. Once you arrive at Reading, leave the River Thames behind 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, passing through water meadows and the quiet village of Kintbury until you reach the charming town of Hungerford. This historic market town is surrounded by beautiful countryside and hosts an abundance of friendly pubs and antique stores; it’s a nice pit stop before starting your return journey back along the River Thames and the River Wey to Guildford.
