The Wey and Arun Canal is a 37 km stretch of canal that runs from Shalford near Guildford in Surrey to the river Arun at Pallingham near Pulborough in West Sussex. It has two sections: the Arun Navigation which opened in 1787 and the Wey and Arun Junction Canal which opened in 1816. For a while, it was an important and bustling way to transport goods. It provided a waterway from Pulborough to Guildford for the first time and thereby created a coast to capital transport route.
However, the arrival of the railways meant its future was doomed. It finally closed in 1871 and became known as London’s lost route to the sea. Since 1970, the Wey & Arun Canal Trust has been working hard to restore the canal and these days several miles are navigable and there is lots of great walking to be had. A good place to start is the Wey and Arun canal Trust centre in the wharf behind the Onslow Arms in Loxwood, West Sussex. There is parking here too.
The Wey South Path
The Wey South Path is a 51 km trail that follows the banks of the River Wey and of the Wey and Arun Canal. It starts in Guildford (Surrey) and enters West Sussex not far from Loxwood. Then it snakes its way past Stopham, and on to Houghton Bridge, near Amberley.
A five km walk
There are a number of other walks that you can do that take in part of the canal. If you want to walk east, you will find details of a 5 km walk here: Walking the Wey. But this 5 km, starts at the Onslow Arms and goes west. It’s a flat and easy walk with one very muddy section (in winter). It’s also quieter than the section that goes east. Both walks start from the same starting point.
From the pub, you will see a footpath sign on the opposite side of the road which takes you immediately to the canal path. You are going to follow this for about 2 km along the banks of the canal.
Along the way you’ll pass a few points of interest including locks, benches and Devil’s Hole. This latter is where the old course of the river Lox was bypassed when the builders built the canal. There is also a picnic table and benches here made from wood from the old lock gates. There is another bench at Gennets Bridge also constructed from wood and ironwork from the original lock.
Parts of the canal have not yet been restored and there is an abundance of wildlife. If you are lucky, you may even spot a kingfisher and look out for the stone way-markers.
After about 2 km, you will come to a distinctive red brick bridge and lock – Gennets Bridge. You turn right over the bridge and walk straight ahead for about .25 km. You’re leaving the canal behind now.
Then turn right again and just follow this path all the way back to the centre of Loxwood. It is this part of the walk where it can get muddy (so you could turn back if you don’t fancy this and just retrace your steps). The mud doesn’t last too long and eventually you come out opposite the village sign. Turn right and follow the footpath back to the pub and car park.
The Onslow Arms is a 17th Century grade II listed building with two gardens and a children’s play area. They serve both food and drink and are dog friendly provided dogs are accompanied by well behaved humans.
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