Wey and Godalming Navigations

[Serenity Malc]

Yello,

 

I'm going to be taking our wide beam down the River Wey for a few days soon and was wondering on a time scale for a leisurely cruise from Thames Lock and back ? Thinking 4 or 5 days ?

Serenity is 50'x10' and a narrow boat style craft .... so I don't envisage any size problems.

 

Any tips on moorings etc would be great please. We're looking to move down there if there's any possibility of that

 

Cheers Malc and Me Julie.

[Serenity Malc]

Yello,

 

Well ...... Thames Lock have answered my timescale question as 4 days there and back ..... I think we'll take 7 and enjoy the trip more ..... maybe a little angling !

 

£68 for a 7 day licence for our size of barge ....

 

But .... any recommendations for pubs, meals, moorings or just great places to stop would be gratefully received.

 

Thanks .... Malc and Me Julie.

[WJM]

Its a nice river - small and sometimes very twisty. You will see upright posts at the very sharp bends - used for turning a boat using ropes.

 

The paddles are very heavy so you will need a long windlass - if you don't have your own you can rent one at Thames Lock but the rental ones are horrible heavy things.

 

The lockgates seem to be made from rustic balsa wood, peat moss and papier mache - so be gentle!

[GUMPY]

.

Edited July 4, 2012 by idleness

[Daftmare]

Hello and welcome to the River Wey Navigations! You will have a super time.

 

Not sure when you were planning to come, but had it not been cancelled "due to drought conditions", the Guildford Boat Festival would have been this weekend.

 

It takes 4 days to Godalming and back, but you can take as long as you like!

 

First pub after Weybridge is the Pelican at Addlestone.

 

Then the Anchor at Pyrford (moorings outside) - this is a popular pub and so there is usually a very long wait for food at busy times (e.g. weekends).

 

I am sure there are other pubs tucked away, but the next pub on the river is The Rowbarge at Stoke Mill (Guildford), which was closed for a time but has now re-opened, new managers - good real ale I hear.

 

Then into Guildford - good moorings at Dapdune Wharf.

 

Round the corner and into Guildford - two pubs on your right - the White House and then another one can't remember the name, at Millmead Lock.

 

Lots of moorings after Millmead Lock, except for this weekend, when the "unofficial Boat Festival" will probably still take place, with all the locals turning up

 

Next pub is The Parrot at Shalford (Broadford Bridge). You need to moor on the right and walk back to the bridge.

 

On towards Godalming - the Pub is Manor Inn, mooring for two boats at the bottom of the garden.

 

Finally into Godalming Wharf and a choice of many pubs in Godalming itself.

 

 

Have a great time - and look out for us if you are coming down in the next week or two

 

Jo.

[Serenity Malc]

Yello,

 

Thank you WJM for the word of warning re: the paddles ... Thames Lock supply a long handle windlass free (?) with the £68 7 day licence.

 

Many thanks to you Jo for spending the time to inform us of some of the stop offs possible on The Wey ..... we will definately be down from Runnymede in the near future. Not quite sure of the exact dates, but we'll deffo let you know when were coming down your way. (bad pun not intended).

 

Being a Surrey lad means that The Wey is my ultimate place to moor and live. It just seems so difficult to find anywhere that will take long term / unlimited moorings there.

 

Cheers Malc and Me Julie.

[Daftmare]

Yello,

 

Thank you WJM for the word of warning re: the paddles ... Thames Lock supply a long handle windlass free (?) with the £68 7 day licence.

 

Many thanks to you Jo for spending the time to inform us of some of the stop offs possible on The Wey ..... we will definately be down from Runnymede in the near future. Not quite sure of the exact dates, but we'll deffo let you know when were coming down your way. (bad pun not intended).

 

Being a Surrey lad means that The Wey is my ultimate place to moor and live. It just seems so difficult to find anywhere that will take long term / unlimited moorings there.

 

Cheers Malc and Me Julie.

 

 

Great, and we will look out for you at Runnymede. We are off "up your way" on 21 July. Perhaps we will pass each other along the way.

 

Yep moorings are scarce here. Pyrford Marina may take a widebeam as they have recently expanded there, but they are expensive. I am pretty sure that Farncombe Boathouse do not have space for widebeams. After that, there is only The National Trust left to ask. We have been on their waiting list for 7 years now

 

Hope you get back to Surrey in the end.

 

Jo.

[OldGoat]

Great, and we will look out for you at Runnymede. We are off "up your way" on 21 July. Perhaps we will pass each other along the way.

 

Yep moorings are scarce here. Pyrford Marina may take a widebeam as they have recently expanded there, but they are expensive. I am pretty sure that Farncombe Boathouse do not have space for widebeams. After that, there is only The National Trust left to ask. We have been on their waiting list for 7 years now

 

Hope you get back to Surrey in the end.

 

Jo.

 

The river is very shallow and more than that the National Trust has deliberately made the profile V-shape with shoulders in order to provide a safe haven for lesser-spotted-bladderwort and the like, which to them are more important than fee paying boaters.

 

So as well as taking up much of the track - where you will doubtless upset the locals who want to pass by - You'll need a long gang plank if you want to moor anywhere.

 

Don't let me put you off it's a very pleasant ditch but forewarned is forearmed...

 

 

 

BTW worth considering a side trip up part of the Basingstoke. I think they've mended soem of it and you're not escorted through anymore.

Edited July 4, 2012 by OldGoat

[ditchcrawler]

If you are a member of the NT you get a discount, or you use to .

[Mac of Cygnet]

If you are a member of the NT you get a discount, or you use to .

 

I got a discount of 10% last year, even as a member of the NT for Scotland!

[Daftmare]

To be clear, I think the discount is off a Visitor Licence (maximum 21 days). IIRC there is no discount for permanent moorers.

 

Jo.