Wey and Godalming Navigations

River Wey and Godalming Navigations
Catteshall Lock, the southernmost lock on the Navigations at Farncombe, Godalming, Surrey.
Specifications
Locks	16
Status	open
Navigation authority	National Trust
History
Construction began	1651
Date of first use	1653
Date extended	1764
Geography
Start point	River Thames
End point	Godalming (originally Guildford)
Connects to	Basingstoke Canal Wey and Arun Junction Canal

The River Wey Navigation and Godalming Navigation, geographically (but not historically) the Wey Navigation, form a continuous waterway which provides a 20-mile (32 km) navigable route from the River Thames between Weybridge and Hamm Court, Addlestone via Guildford to Godalming. The waterway is in Surrey and is owned by the National Trust. The Wey Navigation connects to the Basingstoke Canal at West Byfleet, and the Godalming Navigation part to the Wey and Arun Canal in the Broadford part of Shalford. The Navigations consist of man-made canal and adapted (dredged and straightened) parts of the River Wey. Its adjoining path is part of European long-distance path E2.

The Wey was the second river in England to be turned from wholly unnavigable to navigable for its main town, as it was behind the River Lea; the River Wey Navigation opened in 1653 with 12 locks between Weybridge and Guildford. Construction of the Godalming Navigation, a further four locks, was completed in 1764 connecting a second market town. Commercial traffic (save for exceptional loads for canalside buildings) ceased in 1983 and the Wey Navigation and the Godalming Navigations were donated to the National Trust in 1964 and 1968 respectively.

The River Wey has two main sources, which form the North Branch and the South Branch, and which join together at Tilford. The combined flow continues to Godalming, cuts through the chalk of the North Downs at Guildford, and passes through the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to join the River Thames at Weybridge. It had been used by small boats since medieval times, and some improvements were made to the channel from 1618.