The Wey & Arun Canal - from the Wey to Pallingham
Run Common to Elmbridge
Run Common is a site of special interest for the Wey and Arun Junction canal. It is kept in water north of the main road and is looked after by Wey and Arun Canal society members. Its possible to walk north west along the canal for a short distance. The section south of the main road is in water but is not currently part of any restoration work, although its towpath can be walked for a short distance. This stretch of towpath at Run Common is the only such instance in the entire stretch between Gosden and Elmbridge that can be walked
The canal at Run Common
Not quite the Tarr or River Mole steps! Stepping stones across the canal near Run Common. Some the stones are a bit dodgy!
Where canal and railway meet again at Whipley (or Wipley) In this view the canal approaches on the right hand side and passed beneath the railway. The former structure that the railway used to cross the canal has long gone and the canal alignment under the railway cannot be seen. For the record the canal closed in 1871 and the railway opened in October 1865. There appears to be some uncertainity as to what the railway used to cross the canal (was it a girder or a brick structure?)
On the other side of the crossing at Whipley, the railway (cycle route) progresses away from the canal towards Cranleigh, whilst the canal takes a more direct southerly route towards Elmbridge
Beyond the railway crossing the Wey and Arun Junction canal makes its way through woodland as it heads for Elmbridge
The canal bed to the north of the old iron sliding bridge. This bridge still exists but is so overgrown that it wasnt easy to see its structure. However it crossed the canal just above the surface of the water and slid out of the way to make way for the boats. There's an access path off the railway line that leads immediately to the site of the iron sliding bridge
A little further south there may have been another sliding bridge here, where now a more recent steel and wood structure now exists. Its certainly built at the same height just above water level, and brickwork to the side indicates a bridge of different origin prior to this structure being built
Near Rowly the canal emerges from the woods and its former course is now obliterated, but one can make out the course as it ran across this field. Look carefully and it can be seen that the field gently slopes to the right then there is a level section (the canal) before it gently slopes again towards the right
Beyond this point is the restored Rowly lock. Access to it is currently not permitted
This farm track is the canal's alignment south of Rowly and gave access to Rowly lock. As the notices denote, this is not currently possible
A path leads to Elmbridge along which the sometimes watered canal can be seen
The offical Wey-South route passes this way though its still very difficult to find between Rowly and Elmbridge as most of the Wey-South signage has disappeared, possibly through vandalism.
The gate by this attractive car port gives access to the canal route northwards, but it doesnt lead far as the route fizzles out with no indication of where one should go. A Wey-South roundel can be discerned on the right hand gate post
This road parallels the canal just north of Elmbridge. The road traverses to the east of Elmbridge cottages and one must then cross the busy, narrow, road to gain the remainder of the Wey and Arun route southwards towards Fast Bridge
Bramley Linersh Run Common Elmbridge Fast Bridge Tickners Heath Fir Tree Copse Sidney Wood
Gennets Wood Devils Hole Loxwood Drungewick Newbridge Lordings Pallingham The Feeder Map