River Wey
This article is about the river in Surrey, for the river in Dorset see River Wey, Dorset.The
River Wey in
Surrey is one of the
Waterways in the United Kingdom and a tributary of the
River Thames. The source of the north branch is at
Alton, Hampshire and of the south branch at
Liphook. The branches join at
Tilford. The river is navigable for around 32 km from
Godalming to the Thames at
Weybridge to the south-west of
London.
The improvements in the navigation of the river were undertaken by Sir
Richard Weston, beginning in
1635. The 25 km to
Guildford were made navigable by an Act of
1651 , with work completed in
1653, to allow barges to transport goods to
London. Further improvements were made under another Act of
1671.
In
1760, another Act authorised the
Godalming Navigation, taking navigation a further 7 km upstream to
Godalming.
The
Basingstoke Canal and
Wey and Arun Junction Canal were later dug to connect with the Wey navigation.
From
1900 to
1963, the Wey was owned by the Stevens family, who were commercial carriers on the canal. It was then donated to the
National Trust in
1964 which operates a visitor centre at
Dapdune Wharf, a former boatyard in
Guildford. The Godalming Navigation was donated to the Trust in
1968. Commercial traffic ceased in
1983.
*
Rivers of the United Kingdom*
Dapdune Wharf and River Wey Navigations*
River Wey Catchment Flood Warnings*
Guildford Rowing Club*
Wey Kayak Club*
The River Wey and Wey Navigations Community Site
