River Wey and Godalming Navigations audio tour
We have a team of lengthspeople who live along the river, often in the original lock keepers’ cottages on the River Wey and Godalming Navigation in Surrey. We recorded each of them talking about their own lengths in this audio tour to inspire you to visit the whole 20 miles of the River Wey Navigation.
Our lengthspeople are responsible for the day-to-day running and management of a three to five mile length of the navigation. This includes the river, the towpath and any structures such as locks, weirs or bridges. Because they live onsite and are familiar with their length of the river, they develop a wide knowledge of the flora and fauna on the river as well as the history of their length.
View the audio tour trail map
Map of the River Wey audio tour
Here's a map of the River Wey Navigations
1. Introduction
The story of the River Wey Navigations from 1653 to the present day
2. Emily on Godalming Wharf to Broadford
Emily explains the every day routine of a lengthsperson and talks about the wildlife you can see and hear on her length
3. Chris on Broadford to Millmead
Chris talks about invasive species and how the team recycles fallen trees
4. Laura on Millmead to Bowers
Laura describes her work managing weirs and how a lock gate is replaced. She tells us a bit about Perseverance, one of 11 Wey barges built at Dapdune Wharf. Perseverance is in dry dock at Stoke Lock
5.Jason on Bowers to Papercourt
Jason talks about his obsession with weather apps in winter, working with volunteers and Sutton Place, the Elizabethan home of Sir Richard Weston who was inspired to build the navigation in 1653.
6. Emma on Papercourt to Pyrford
Emma talks about her love of her length and her research into female lock keepers. She describes the turf-sided lock at Walsham and explains how flood gates were used.
7. Steve on Pyrford to Thames Lock
Steve tells us about his volunteer group and how they help the National Trust along the Navigation. He explains how the watercress beds on his length used to work.
8 Tracy at Thames Lock
Tracy tells us how the job of lock keeper works and describes the pound lock at Thames Lock and its purpose.