River Wey - what do you know ?

[Time Out]

Hi

With it on my door step and having visited a nice riverside boozer in Guildford last night, it got me thinking…..

How far do you think you can go in a day from Sunbury AND back ?

It will be in my little Duckie ( the model!) so will fit.

Anyone ?

 

[Time Out]

no idea why its upside down...

 

[lenten]

the anchor at pyrford lock would make a comfortable return journey -------thames lock which is first on the wey is manned-----best check what the opening hours are and you will need a handle for the locks

 

[Clive-D]

Hi. We live in Guildford and have used the River Wey (strictly the Wey Navigation) a number of times. It's a lovely, quiet and peaceful stretch of water owned and managed by The National Trust, so please pay for a day license online! It's supposed to be possible to get the full navigable length from Godalming to Weybridge in 10 hours. There's a good few locks and a couple of low bridges. Not as many pubs as I'd like tho. The Anchor is nice, The Britannia in Guildford is nice too. The Row Barge is a more traditional pub, not so gentrified! It takes us about two and a half to 3 hours to get from Guildford (Stoke Lock) to Pyford Lock and that's about half way to Weybridge. Not been in the others. Plus your time from Sunbury.

 

[Time Out]

Hi. We live in Guildford and have used the River Wey (strictly the Wey Navigation) a number of times. It's a lovely, quiet and peaceful stretch of water owned and managed by The National Trust, so please pay for a day license online! It's supposed to be possible to get the full navigable length from Godalming to Weybridge in 10 hours. There's a good few locks and a couple of low bridges. Not as many pubs as I'd like tho. The Anchor is nice, The Britannia in Guildford is nice too. The Row Barge is a more traditional pub, not so gentrified! It takes us about two and a half to 3 hours to get from Guildford (Stoke Lock) to Pyford Lock and that's about half way to Weybridge. Not been in the others. Plus your time from Sunbury.

Thank you. This exactly what I’m after. I saw you can purchase a windlass handle at the first lock and will of course pay to use the navigation.

I see there is a marina at Pyford too which I may enquire about if I want to leave it overnight.

Keep it coming !

 

[Clive-D]

You might need a second mortgage if you wanted to moor there for the summer! FYI the Wey is the oldest navigation in the country (1653), predating the canal network. Daptune wharf at Guildford has history and a cafe.

 

[Time Out]

You might need a second mortgage if you wanted to moor there for the summer! FYI the Wey is the oldest navigation in the country (1653), predating the canal network. Daptune wharf at Guildford has history and a cafe.

Ha ! I was think more of one night so I can meander up and cruise slowly back.

I have not even made the call so is suspect they won’t have anything overnight

 

[Outinthedinghy]

The first boat I lived on (30ft narrow boat) came out of Pyrford marina with me at the helm in 1993. Always lived in boats since then and I like the river Wey probably because of it being the original intro to the boating lark and also because it's pleasant.

It's not cheap as a visitor but it is quite cool and I have done it a few times over the years.

The windlass is usually available at the first lock which is"manned". Actually the last couple of times it was a woman and a very pleasant one too. You pay a deposit and take the windlass back afterwards. Good idea.

If you were doing a day visit I think you might get caught out by the lock opening times for getting on and off the River at Weybridge.

Probably doable but worth checking.

I believe that the visitor licenses do allow an overnight stay for this but if boat has no accommodation then obviously it gets a bit technical.

Co-Op right near New Have lock in case you decide to kip in boat and need beer.

 

[alfaman155]

Basically you need to pay the visitors fee to get through the first lock and you'll pick up the windlass at the same time.
Unless it's changed the first locking is at 0930.
The fee is the same whether you are on a one day or 3 day trip so you may as well make the most of it. Last locking to rejoin the Thames is about 1730 but you'll need to confirm that at the office.
Done the whole length in my 21 footer and took 3 days with no rushing. I see you have a nippy run about- when it's right side up! so good luck when you come up behind a 70 footer chugging along at 1.5 mph mid stream and steadfastly ignoring you. If you're lucky it won't happen but...
Moorings a-plenty past G'ford near St Catherine's but not so many at Godalming.
It's a peaceful, quiet piece of water in the main but there are minor frustrations.

 

[Time Out]

Basically you need to pay the visitors fee to get through the first lock and you'll pick up the windlass at the same time.
Unless it's changed the first locking is at 0930.
The fee is the same whether you are on a one day or 3 day trip so you may as well make the most of it. Last locking to rejoin the Thames is about 1730 but you'll need to confirm that at the office.
Done the whole length in my 21 footer and took 3 days with no rushing. I see you have a nippy run about- when it's right side up! so good luck when you come up behind a 70 footer chugging along at 1.5 mph mid stream and steadfastly ignoring you. If you're lucky it won't happen but...
Moorings a-plenty past G'ford near St Catherine's but not so many at Godalming.
It's a peaceful, quiet piece of water in the main but there are minor frustrations.

Great thank you , I now have a guide book too.

Yes she’s nippy if needed (22 knots flat out) but also a very good river boat. Deigned for the Fjords so very at home on the Thames, in fact perfect with excellent access to the bow via split screen and solid steps.

Single 110 Yammar. Also has a bow thruster!! You can steer from the wheel or tiller. Marex 21 Duckie is the model.

I’m planning a one day trip to start. From friends house on the river at Lower Sunbury, 2 and a bit hours each way on the navigation giving me enough time to get back to Tedd.

If I like it I will make arrangements to keep it overnight somewhere and Uber to and from so I can do the stretch to Guildford.

One box ticked after fall my life on the Thames !

 

[Lower Limit 1909]

... and Uber to and from so I can do the stretch to Guildford.

It's also a great bike ride - the whole way from Teddington to Guildford - along the Thames Path / Tow Path.

Have long planned to do it in a similar style to you but with a bike stowed on board for the return to base overnight.

I'd also add in an 'explore' of the Basingstoke Canal turning right instead of going straight ahead when you are under the M25. A difficult to miss navigational waypoint.

I've only gone a few miles. It's not 'arcadian' Thames but it's a fascinating slice of England in 2022 and some questionable 60s shopping parades.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

Just noticed my typo. The Co-Op is beside New Haw lock not "New Have" lock.

Not obvious from the waterway but it is very close and a useful shop stop. Tie up a few hundred feet above the lock then walk back cross the bridge turn right at the roundabout.

It's good having shops close by which don't take much time away from the essential activity of boating.

 

[Bilgediver]

no idea why its upside down...

Can't sink