How to get there - Take the A3 to Guildford and find Stoke Road heading north/south (see map). Go north over river (ignoring the mini roundabout at the A3 junction) and at next roundabout, turn left into Stoughton Road. Take first left into Maple Grove and follow to the end. Turn right and in 50 yards turn left into the Waterside Centre. (map)
Suggested Launch Site - I have previously launched across the green area next to the pub (the Rowbarge) but they have now erected fencing that makes this more difficult so this time I started from the Waterside Centre which is 50 yards to the right along Riverside. This is the home of the Wey Kayak Club.
General
Description - Set off to the right, towards Guildford. The first stretch passes the backs of houses on the right and countryside to the left. You will be aware of traffic noise from the A3 which gets loader as you pass under the A3 bridge. Peace returns at Dapdune Wharf, the local HQ of the National Trust who own and operate the navigation.
The next stretch passes the backs of light industrial units and then shops and offices as you approach Guildford town centre. Of interest is the Electric Theatre (it used to be the Electricity Works) and the treadmill operated crane at Town Wharf. At the centre of Guildford the buildings change to pubs and cafes which face the river.
Portage Millmead Lock by passing to the right of the lock island and portaging across the island just before the weir.
The river passes through parks before returning to the countryside. After a mile or so the river forks. The right fork is the navigation to St Catherine`s Lock whilst the left fork is the old course of the river. I went left and found a secluded spot for lunch. I explored as far as Riff Raff Weir (where the river rejoins the navigation) If you are feling energetuic you can portage but I returned to the fork and took the other fork to St Catherine`s Lock. I turned here and retraced my steps to the start, making a trip of seven miles with two portages. (route)
