The River Wey Navigation Path | Free Hike 24km (15mi)

Grade 🥾🥾🥾 Level 3/5
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📖SUMMARY:
24km (15mi) | Ascent: 116m | Max Elevation 42m
🚆Train: Return ticket London Waterloo ⇆ Shalford (Surrey)
💡For the journey back to London, we will use the same ticket but from West Byfleet)
⛳️ Meeting Point: 2 Options
1- London Waterloo station Ticket Office | 08:45 (Train is at 09:07)
2- Shalford (Surrey) outside train station | 10:00
⚠️This is a Point-to-Point (not circular) Hike
🏁 Hike start: Shalford (Surrey) train station | 10:10
🔚 Hike finish: West Byfleet | approx. 17:00
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🚊 TRAIN TICKET INFORMATION:
I would recommend you get
🎟️Sunday Out Return ticket London Waterloo ⇆ Shalford (Surrey) with a Network Railcard is £12.05 (instead of £18.10).

• ➡️ Outbound: London Waterloo 09:07 → 10:01 Shalford (Surrey) | with 1 change 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏾‍♀️ 5 min at Guildford
• ⬅️ Inbound: West Byfleet Any Off Peak Return (same ticket) → London (Travel is allowed via any permitted route)

💡If you’d like to join other hikers using a Network Railcard, please arrive earlier so we can organise small groups. Note that each card can cover up to 4 people.
ℹ️Visit National Rail for details
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📕ABOUT:
A calm, steady walk with plenty of time to breathe, chat and take it all in 🌿. No one gets left behind and no one’s in a hurry 😇
- You will meander through open meadows and quiet country lanes before joining the peaceful towpaths of the River Wey Navigation. - Along the way, the route passes historic locks, narrowboats gently bobbing on the water, and the soothing sounds of cascading weirs.
- One of the standout moments of the journey is the sight of Newark Priory, a haunting twelfth century ruin set against wide, open fields. It is a vivid reminder of the area's medieval heritage.
- With abundant wildlife and ever changing riverside views, this trail offers a perfect balance of natural beauty and historical intrigue.
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🌟HIGHLIGHTS:

• Bowers Lock and Historic Oak: As you approach Bowers Lock, look out for a 300-year-old oak tree, a silent witness to centuries of river history. Informational boards nearby provide context about the area's significance
• Newark Priory Ruins: Between Papercourt and Walsham Locks, catch glimpses of the evocative ruins of Newark Priory across the fields. Though on private land and not directly accessible, the view is a poignant reminder of the region's rich past.
• Walsham Lock and Pyrford Place: Crossing the bridge at Walsham Lock, you'll notice an unusual building on the opposite bank, part of Pyrford Place. This structure is reputed to have been used by Elizabeth I and John Donne
• Pyrford Lock and The Anchor Pub: A popular spot for walkers.

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💷 COST: Free
This hike is completely free to join but participants need to purchase their own transport tickets.
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🎒WHAT TO BRING:

• 1-2L Water
• Packed lunch and snacks
• Comfortable walking/hiking shoes
• Weather-appropriate clothing (layers, waterproofs, hat, sunscreen)
• Optional: trekking poles, camera

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✅WHO CAN JOIN:
• ‍‍ Our hikes are open to adults aged 21 and over.
• For safety reasons, we’re not able to include children.
• We love animals, but pets (including dogs) can’t join our hikes.
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🚨RSVP & ATTENDANCE:
RSVP only if you plan to attend. Please cancel as early as possible if you can no longer make it so others can join. A no-show means you RSVPed but did not attend or cancelled just before or after the start time. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations without a valid reason may lead to removal. Reliable regulars who end up on a waitlist may message the host for priority consideration.
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☯️STAYING TOGETHER:
A dedicated back marker is not always present, so please keep others in sight and avoid moving too far ahead or falling too far behind. Faster walkers should wait at junctions. The hike leader will pause at key points to regroup and reduce the chance of anyone becoming separated from the group.
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⚠️ DISCLAIMER:
By joining, you confirm that you have read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.