Boating on the River Wey and Godalming – Things to do and see

The River Wey & Godalming Navigations runs from Godalming to Weybridge, just below Shepperton Lock, where the navigation meets the famous River Thames. The Valley of the Wey offers a rich source of interest and natural beauty, the meandering channel follows the yellow fields on the North Downs and passes under the dappled shade of the willows. These navigations have provided commercial transport and pleasure boat hire on over twenty miles of waterways connecting Surrey towns such as Godalming, Send, Farnham and Ripley to the bustling River Thames to London for over 350 years.

The River Wey offers the opportunity to walk along the towpath for a family day out, take a canal boat trip or hire a boat for a boating holiday. There are also fishing opportunities for the avid angler or blackberry picking along the canal, when it is in season.

North of the village of Farncombe, while following the river navigation, you can expect to meander through beautiful fields, past mill houses, meadows and St Catherine’s Hill, before arriving in the center of Guildford in a short space of time. In Guildford you can find a selection of classic waterfront pubs. Alternatively you can walk across the Town Bridge to the end of the main high street where you can choose from several other restaurants, the cinema, theater and shops.

Leaving Guildford behind, the voyages pass through a series of parks and gardens, including Loseley Park and Sutton Place Gardens. There are a selection of excellent walks in the area, including the North Downs Way, which runs from Farnham to Dover. The landscape becomes more rural, with an abundance of cattle fields and forests. Passing the village of Send to the village of Pyrford from Guildford, the landscape is mainly virgin countryside. You can find a waterfront pub next to Pyrford Lock, if you want to stop for a bite to eat.

On a short break weekend holiday on a canal boat holiday, you can expect to experience the variety of scenery that the River Wey and Godalming Boating can offer. Take a break in one of the classic waterfront pubs and walk through some historic villages with impressive architecture. Alternatively, sailing on a chartered boat for seven nights will allow you to continue your cruise past Weybridge to the River Thames by sailing to Windsor, visiting Windsor Castle, or sailing to Hampton Court and back up the picturesque River Wey.