The Wey-South Path

A walking path of 36 miles, linking the North Downs Way near Guildford, Surrey  with South Downs Way near Amberley, W Sussex.  Intended as closely as possible to follow the Wey & Arun Junc Canal and Arun navigation.  The Wey and Arun Canal Trust have been endeavouring since 1970 to recommision as much of this defunct canal navigation as possible - at present roughly 3 miles has been restored, so I am a canal and railway Annierak!

Website of the Wey-Arun Canal Trust

Guildford to Newbridge

Sunday 12 October 2008 -  23 Miles

ID12102008#43

Finally got shufflin on this one - I am trying to get all the walks that I have guidebooks for already on the go.  A lovely autumn day, with beautiful colours, and quite warm and dry.  However, I developed a migraine as the walk progressed (normally know before setting off) and so had an interesting routine of a few miles walk, sit down, be sick, and start again - and I also get an overwhelming feeling of chronic sleepiness as well, so quite a battle to finish this one - finally made it to Billingshurst in the dark, dodging cars with my dodgy torch!  A real shame, as this is a fantastic walk.  You don't get to do much of the towpath, but the countryside is exquisite - my first walk since Cornwall - a reminder that the south east does have a lot to offer...this walk continues from where I left of on the E2 (Wey Navigation)

The start of the walk at Millmead Lock, Guildford

Broadford Bridge.  Shortly beyond this point, the Wey & Arun Canal leaves the River Wey & Godalming Navigation

Stonebridge.  This is where things get interesting.  The former canal ran to the left of picture (a sign in the distance is of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust) and you follow the downs link former railway for a few miles to Run Common

The south side of Stonebridge.  The infilled canal ran through the arch.  Been here previously - cycling the Downs Link

Looking north at Run Common - the road cuts straight through

Back to the canal (Briefly) after another long detour from Run Common.  I speculate that the reasons for these unwarranted diversions is mostly to do with 'Git Orf Moi Land' merchants - in this case (Surrey) more to do with not wanting their views from the county pile spoilt by the 'hoi polloi' - or a better explanantion?

Near Fast Bridge there are some watered (although not navigable) sections - obviously stagnant water

One of the modern distance markers

Sidney Wood - attractive dry section

Blimey - clever cattle!  (Carbon dated joke)

Devil's Hole Lock - I unwillingly helped raise the water level marginally - courtesy of my migraine...

Loxwood is where you really see the hard work being put into restoring parts of this canal - the point beyond here (southwards) is navigable for over 2 miles

Baldwin's Knob Lock

Drungewick Aqueduct - another diversion from the towpath.  From here to Newbridge no more pictures - It's getting dark early again...

Newbridge to Amberley

Sunday 19 October 2008 - 13 Miles

ID19102008#44

Well, a much nicer occasion than last weeks chuck fest... a bit muddy in places, but overall, apart from the maddening unnecessary deviations from the towpath, it was very pleasant - only just made it before dark this time

Newbridge, outside Billingshurst

Lordings Lock and Aqueduct - being renovated.  Bizarre isolated structure

Then...a field!

Followed by a beautiful watered, non navigable section, in remote countryside

Haybarn swing bridge - it's deviation time again...

Okay!

More dry canal bed

Old Stopham Bridge - 1403!  Fortunately this no longer carries highway traffic

South portal of Hardham Tunnel - the only one on the canal.  375 Yards long, but a bit fluxed now!

Greatham Bridge - River Arun.  Built 14th Century, extended 19th

Rather forbidding final section - 'Caution Dangerous Marsh' - was a bit squishy underfoot

Finally the South Downs beckon