History of the Wey & Arun Canal

The 23-mile waterway now known as the Wey & Arun Canal was originally two distinct waterways running through Surrey and West Sussex: the Wey & Arun Junction Canal and the Arun Navigation. Together with the River Wey and the River Arun, they formed the waterway link between the River Thames and the South Coast.

In 1653, the River Wey was made navigable from the River Thames at Weybridge to Guildford and later to Godalming. The River Arun was a tidal navigation extending inland as far as Pallingham. The Arun Navigation opened in 1787 and gave trading vessels from the south coast access inland beyond Pallingham as far as Billingshurst. The Wey & Arun Junction Canal opened in 1813, and extended the navigation from Billingshurst to just south of Guildford on the Godalming section of the River Wey.

Despite heavyweight support from the likes of the Earl of Egremont and some initial success, the line eventually failed for a number of reasons - not least poor water supply and competition from railways. A report of 1867 noted only two boats on the Wey & Arun, and by 1871 it was abandoned. To the south the Arun Navigation limped on until the early 20th Century before suffering the same fate. Thereafter the Wey & Arun was regarded as little more than a local feature until 1970, when the Wey & Arun Canal Society was formed with the intention of reclaiming the line.

'London's Lost Route to the Sea' is a latter-day name which succinctly describes the current situation. But after establishing that a full restoration is feasible, the group has undertaken various projects with the result that whilst most - as yet - remains unnavigable, several lengths have been returned to water and a trip-boat operates on the Loxwood section. The rural nature of the line lends it to being a haven for wildlife, and although certain stretches remain in private hands, other sections of the towpath are signposted and accessible on foot.