Walking the Wey-South Path: Planning Your Wey-South Path Adventure
Table of Contents
Interested in walking the Wey-South Path? Here’s a handy guide to plan your adventure.
In 2016, I walked the Downs Link for the first time, and discovered the Wey-South Path, which coincides with the Downs Link for a short stretch in its northern segment. Curious about this historical route that follows the old Wey & Arun Canal, I set out to walk it.
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Why I hiked the Wey-South Path
I really enjoyed the Downs Link, which runs along an old railway line, and I love walking near water, so I thought the Wey-South Path would be another fascinating historical trail. I was right!
Where does the Wey-South Path start and finish?
Guildford in the north and Amberley in the south. The northern start of the trail is at Millmead Lock, just a half mile from Guildford rail station, and the southern end of the trail is right at Amberley station. You can walk the trail in either direction, but I prefer it from north to south (unlike the Downs Link, which I prefer to walk in the opposite direction).
How long is the Wey-South Path?
The Wey-South Path is a 35-mile footpath that was created in the early 1970s, connecting the North Downs Way and the South Downs Way, and running mostly along the old towpaths for the Wey & Arun Canal. A number of other long distance routes cross paths with the the Wey-South Path, including the Downs Link, the Fox Way, Greensand Way, and the Sussex Border Path. It’s a unique path in that it mostly follows the old towpath of the canal, which is what makes most of the trail mostly flat and easy to walk.
Wey-South Path route description
The name “Wey & Arun Canal” comes from the two main rivers that bookend the canal: the River Wey in the north and the River Arun in the south. Its history dates all the way back to the seventeenth century, with the first proposal to link the two rivers by canal in 1641 in an attempt to improve the transportation of goods, as the quality of the roads at the time made this very difficult. From there, it was developed in stages: the Wey Navigation was opened to Guildford in 1653, the Arun Canal was opened to Newbridge in 1787, and finally in 1816, the Wey & Arun Junction Canal — as it was called at the time — open for navigation. The canal reached peak traffic in 1839.
The Wey & Arun Canal (now known as London’s Lost Route to the Sea) closed not long after, in 1871, and even more short-lived than the Guildford-Horsham Railway, which ran along what is now the Downs Link. Interestingly, it was this very same railway that led to the demise of the canal, though the Guildford-Horsham Railway — also known as the Hundred Years Railway — eventually closed in 1965 due to the increase of transportation via motor vehicle. At that point, the movement of goods came full circle: from terrible roads to waterways to railways and then back to roadways, albeit with much improved conditions in the modern era. We now have access to these fascinating parts of history — and the gorgeous landscapes all around them — thanks to these two walking trails.
Which direction should you hike the Wey-South Path?
Either! I’ve walked it twice from north to south, and once from south to north. I do prefer it from north to south, ending my journey in Amberley.
How long does it take to hike the Wey-South Path?
It can be done in two or three days, making it perfect for a long weekend, though if you’re really ambitious, you could do it in one very long day.
How hard is the Wey-South Path?
Assuming you’re reasonably fit, it’s very easy, and fairly flat (especially the parts that run alongside the old canal, and the northern two-thirds of the Path). Most of the trail is wide, flat, and well maintained.
Is the Wey-South Path well signposted?
Yes! Signage has improved a lot since the first time I hiked the trail.
When is the best time to hike the Wey-South Path?
The weather in southeast England is fairly mild compared to other parts of the country, and if you’re experienced in walking in cold, wet weather, you might be open to exploring the Wey-South Path at any time of the year. And if you don’t mind walking in hot, sunny weather you might choose to walk the trail in May, June, or July. However, you’ll probably find it most enjoyable in the months of April or September, when it’s not too hot or too cold and wet. If you want to avoid the possibility of walking out in the heat, you may prefer to book your walk in April or September, when it’s less likely to be so warm.
However, spring and summer in England are totally unpredictable, so it’s hard to plan your walk based around the weather. England is not, of course, known for its sunny climate, so you’ll want to carry a waterproof jacket and trousers with you for protection from the rain, whatever time of the year you choose to walk the Path. Walking for hours on end in soggy clothing makes for a miserable experience, and it’s worth the extra weight in your pack to carry the waterproofs.
Statistically speaking, July and August should be the driest months, but they are also the warmest months. I had plenty of rain the first time I walked the trail in March 2017, which was to be expected. However, I had very different experiences the two times I made this journey in the month of May: in 2017 it was wet and muddy, and in 2018 it was very hot and dry. Unless you wait until the last minute to book your trip, you can’t really plan for the weather (and even then, you might end up with a surprise — my May 2018 walk was supposed to be overcast and cloudy, not hot and sunny).
How much does it cost to hike the Wey-South Path?
I originally budgeted about £215 for the three days. This broke down into two nights of accommodation, two days of food (lunch and dinner) at £25 per day, lunch on the third day, plus a single rail ticket to Guildford (£6.30), and then another single back from Amberley (£12). Of course, transportation costs will vary depending on where you live, and if you have a Network Railcard you may be able to get a much reduced rate on your ticket. My budget was a little more expensive than it was for the Downs Link, due to higher prices for accommodation.
I also purchased one OS map, at £8.95, though if you were to purchase all three maps it would come to about £26.85 total, which of course are an investment that you will be able to make use of on future walks. You can also check and see if your local library has the OS maps that you need for the Wey-South Path (OS Explorer 145 Guildford and Farnham, OS Explorer OL34 Crawley & Horsham, and OS Explorer OL10 Amberley & Pulborough).
In total, I spent £143.50 on accommodation on my first trip (£133.50 on my second one) and about £20 each day on food: each sandwich cost about £3 and dinner came in under £20 each evening. You might end up spending less. Or you might spend more, if you enjoy having more than one pint of beer to relax after a long day’s walk. I never had more than a pint with my dinner, because that’s all I can handle. The total cost for my first journey came in just under my original estimate, at about £200. The total cost for my second journey was similar. Dinners were less than I budgeted, at about £16.50 for meal and drink.
Planning your budget
I’d say this is a mid-range budget, and you could spend more or less depending on where you stay and where and what you choose to eat and drink. Inns will be less expensive than B&Bs. Hostels and camping will cost even less, but unfortunately at the time of publication there were no hostels or places to camp along the Wey-South Path. Wild camping is, of course, not legal in England. If you choose to walk the trail in two days instead of three, you’ll just have one night of accommodation to pay, and if you walk the Path all in one day, your expenses will be even less — just meals.
Keep in mind that there are no banks in convenient locations along the Wey-South Path, save at Guildford station. If your accommodation requests a bank deposit to book your room, you might want to ask to pay the full room rate rather than just the deposit. This will save you having to carry the cash to pay the balance, as some places don’t take cards. Calculate your budget carefully, and bring enough cash to pay for everything. However, this is only a two or three day walk, so even if you have to carry cash for the entire walk, it won’t be very much.
Can you walk the Wey-South Path on a tight budget?
Absolutely! You don’t have to stay overnight on the trail. If you live in southeast England, you could travel home at the end of each day’s walk. Unfortunately, you won’t find much in the way of campsites or hostels right near the trail.
Is it safe for women to do on their own?
Yes! I do a lot of solo walking in England, and I always feel safe. There was no time on the Wey-South Path when I felt unsafe or in danger, even in the very remote areas where I didn’t see any other walkers. If you choose to walk alone, you need to be totally self-reliant: pay attention to the weather, the temperature, and your water supply, especially when walking in the warmer months of the year. You must be sure that you set out each morning with more than enough water to drink, and food to keep you going until you arrive at your evening destination. I cannot stress this enough.
Wey-South Path accommodation
There aren’t many options to stay in each location, and sadly, most of the places I stayed have since closed. Accommodation here is arranged from north to south.
Guildford
If you live in southeast England, you will probably be able to access your home easily via train. But if you need accommodation, you can do a quick search online and find a number of options.
Alfold
This is where you’ll leave the trail at The Three Compasses if you split your journey up into three days. There are 2-3 main options here:
- The Springbok Estate offers three types of accommodation: a guest house, glamping, and camping. They also have a shop and a bar on site.
- Hurst Hill B & B in Dunsfold (2.7 miles off the trail)
Loxwood
This is where you’ll leave the trail if you split your journey up into two days. Just one option here:
- The Barn at Mill Cottage, located about 5 minutes off the trail, down Brewhurst Lane.
Newbridge
When you depart the trail at Newbridge, you can either turn one way to get to Wisborough Green or the other to get to Billingshurst, where there is a rail station, should you need one. Both options involve a fairly treacherous walk down the fairly busy A272 road. Wisborough Green is a pretty little village, delightfully dark at night due to its lack of street lights.
- Old Pond Cottage (1.3 miles in Wisborough Green; not to be confused with Pond Cottage B&B above — this is where I stayed both times I split the trail into three days)
- Trees B&B (1.6 miles in Billingshurst)
Amberley
If you live in southeast England, you will probably be able to access your home easily via train. But if you need accommodation, you can do a quick search online and find a number of options. Amberley is a very small village, but it’s located right on the South Downs Way, and it has a number of B&Bs.
If you reach the Amberley Wildbrooks and you find the grassland difficult or impossible to cross, call for a taxi to take you to the nearest point around it (Greatham Bridge in the north, Amberley village in the south). You may have to find a taxi based out of Arundel or Pulborough, as there is no taxi stand at Amberley Station.
Arundel Taxis: 01903 372137
Castle Cars: 01903 884444, 01903 889988
Tri Cars Taxis: 01798 875779, 07436 813851
Wey-South Path resources
Books & Guidebooks
At the time of publication, there was just one guidebook specifically written for the Wey-South Path. If you’re going to walk this trail, I highly recommend you purchase this guidebook, and also all three OS maps. I’m also recommending a couple of other books for additional reading on the history of the canal, should you be a history buff. I’m not, but I really enjoyed these books.
All three are available on the Wey & Arun Canal Trust website: https://weyarun.org.uk
London’s Lost Route to the Sea, P.A.L. Vine
This book, first published in 1965, is a historical account of the navigation route that linked the Thames to the English Channel, and includes photographs of people, places, and points of interest along the old waterway.
The Thames to the Solent by Canal and Sea, J. B. Dashwood
First published in 1868, with a new edition in 2004 by the WACT, this book recounts the authors’ adventure along the Wey & Arun Canal just four years before it was closed. If you’re curious about his journey, but aren’t much of a reader, watch the video of a modern day recreation of the adventure (see below).
The Wey-South Path, by W&A Enterprises Ltd
This is the guidebook I used to walk the trail both times. It includes simple maps of the Wey-South Path, divided into six stages, as well as basic information about the history of the trail and a collection of circular day walks at the end.
Film & Video
Hardham Canal Tunnel Illuminated 2008
A 23-minute film focusing on Hardham Tunnel, fully illuminated with a 5,000,000 candle power torch. Available from Dumpman Films, specializing in homemade films about unusual places in Sussex. If you’re as fascinated by the tunnel as I am, this is a must-see.
The Lost Wey to the Sea
Available on the WACT website, in this video Tony Pratt sets out in a collapsible boat to retrace the journey of Victorian yachtsman J B Dashwood (see his book above), in an attempt to experience a modern day version of Dashwood’s 1867 voyage along the Wey & Arun Canal.
Walks in England: In Search Of Hardham Tunnel
In this short, 9-minute video, Richard Vobes interviews Martin Snow as they walk along the Downs Link near Hardham Tunnel. Watch on YouTube.
Maps
I always walk with both paper and digital maps for the trail I’ll be walking. If you want to carry maps of the full route (and I recommend that you do), you’ll need three Ordnance Survey maps.
OS Explorer 145 Guildford & Farnham
OS Explorer OL34 Crawley & Horsham
OS Explorer 121 Arundel & Pulborough
I also recommend the OS Maps app, which is a paid service at just £19.99 each year (at time of publication) if you select the auto renew option, or £25.99 for a single year subscription. You can get a free 7-day trial before you commit to the service, or sign up for just one month for £3.99. If you do a fair amount of walking, and enjoy planning your own routes, this is invaluable.
This app shows you exactly where you are on the map. Be sure to download the maps you need so you can use them offline during your journey. Note that if you purchase the paper maps, they should come with a code that allows you to download them to the OS Maps app. Do not rely on something like Google Maps, as you won’t find the level of detail you need for off-roads locations.
https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/
Wey & Arun Canal Trust Website
Learn more about the canal, become a member of the WACT, and find out about upcoming boat trips along the canal. This is also the best source of information on events based around the canal and the Wey-South Path. You can also learn how to make a donation to help their efforts or volunteer to help: either in their working parties along the canal, or with admin and planning (if you don’t want to get your hands dirty).
If you have been inspired by the work of the WACT as a result of reading this book or walking the Wey-South Path, please consider becoming a member, which you can easily do online: https://weyarun.org.uk/node/11. Individual membership is just £15 each year, and joint membership is £20. If you’re a US citizen and want to make a tax deductible donation, you can do so via Charities Aid Foundation (CAF America). As a member, you’ll receive a quarterly magazine, the Wey-South, that details in full color all the recent work along the canal, as well as behind the scenes planning for the future.
It’s an easy and inexpensive way of saying thank you for your experience along the Path, which was made possible by the work done by the WACT volunteers and donors. Without them, we wouldn’t have this trail, or the gorgeous little bridges and locks that are dotted along its way.
Wey-South Path resources
Books & Guidebooks
At the time of publication, there was just one guidebook specifically written for the Wey-South Path. If you’re going to walk this trail, I highly recommend you purchase this guidebook, and also all three OS maps. I’m also recommending a couple of other books for additional reading on the history of the canal, should you be a history buff. I’m not, but I really enjoyed these books.
All three are available on the Wey & Arun Canal Trust website: https://weyarun.org.uk
London’s Lost Route to the Sea, P.A.L. Vine
This book, first published in 1965, is a historical account of the navigation route that linked the Thames to the English Channel, and includes photographs of people, places, and points of interest along the old waterway.
The Thames to the Solent by Canal and Sea, J. B. Dashwood
First published in 1868, with a new edition in 2004 by the WACT, this book recounts the authors’ adventure along the Wey & Arun Canal just four years before it was closed. If you’re curious about his journey, but aren’t much of a reader, watch the video of a modern day recreation of the adventure (see below).
The Wey-South Path, by W&A Enterprises Ltd
This is the guidebook I used to walk the trail both times. It includes simple maps of the Wey-South Path, divided into six stages, as well as basic information about the history of the trail and a collection of circular day walks at the end.
Film & Video
Hardham Canal Tunnel Illuminated 2008
A 23-minute film focusing on Hardham Tunnel, fully illuminated with a 5,000,000 candle power torch. Available from Dumpman Films, specializing in homemade films about unusual places in Sussex. If you’re as fascinated by the tunnel as I am, this is a must-see.
The Lost Wey to the Sea
Available on the WACT website, in this video Tony Pratt sets out in a collapsible boat to retrace the journey of Victorian yachtsman J B Dashwood (see his book above), in an attempt to experience a modern day version of Dashwood’s 1867 voyage along the Wey & Arun Canal.
Walks in England: In Search Of Hardham Tunnel
In this short, 9-minute video, Richard Vobes interviews Martin Snow as they walk along the Downs Link near Hardham Tunnel. Watch on YouTube.
Maps
I always walk with both paper and digital maps for the trail I’ll be walking. If you want to carry maps of the full route (and I recommend that you do), you’ll need three Ordnance Survey maps.
OS Explorer 145 Guildford & Farnham
OS Explorer OL34 Crawley & Horsham
OS Explorer 121 Arundel & Pulborough
I also recommend the OS Maps app, which is a paid service at just £19.99 each year (at time of publication) if you select the auto renew option, or £25.99 for a single year subscription. You can get a free 7-day trial before you commit to the service, or sign up for just one month for £3.99. If you do a fair amount of walking, and enjoy planning your own routes, this is invaluable.
This app shows you exactly where you are on the map. Be sure to download the maps you need so you can use them offline during your journey. Note that if you purchase the paper maps, they should come with a code that allows you to download them to the OS Maps app. Do not rely on something like Google Maps, as you won’t find the level of detail you need for off-roads locations.
https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/
Wey & Arun Canal Trust Website
Learn more about the canal, become a member of the WACT, and find out about upcoming boat trips along the canal. This is also the best source of information on events based around the canal and the Wey-South Path. You can also learn how to make a donation to help their efforts or volunteer to help: either in their working parties along the canal, or with admin and planning (if you don’t want to get your hands dirty).
If you have been inspired by the work of the WACT as a result of reading this book or walking the Wey-South Path, please consider becoming a member, which you can easily do online: https://weyarun.org.uk/node/11. Individual membership is just £15 each year, and joint membership is £20. If you’re a US citizen and want to make a tax deductible donation, you can do so via Charities Aid Foundation (CAF America). As a member, you’ll receive a quarterly magazine, the Wey-South, that details in full color all the recent work along the canal, as well as behind the scenes planning for the future.
It’s an easy and inexpensive way of saying thank you for your experience along the Path, which was made possible by the work done by the WACT volunteers and donors. Without them, we wouldn’t have this trail, or the gorgeous little bridges and locks that are dotted along its way.
Other trails you might be interested in
- How to Keep a Trail Journal: How to Journal on a Long-Distance Backpacking Trip
- Walking the South Downs Way: Planning Your Adventure
- Walking The Ridgeway: Planning Your Ridgeway Walk
- Walking The Downs Link: Planning Your Downs Link Walk
- St Swithun’s Way
Related articles
- Hiking Mistakes: Top Mistakes I’ve Made Walking Long Distance Trails
- Running the Wey-South Path: How to Plan and Crew a Wey-South Path Adventure
- Guildford Circular: NDW, Downs Link, and Wey-South Path
Related podcast episodes
Related reading
This book will help you plan your walk along the Wey-South Path, a 35-mile trail that links the North Downs Way to the South Downs Way, following the old towpath of the Wey & Arun Canal. The Wey-South Path is an excellent trail for a long weekend walk, or for walkers seeking to do a first long-distance trail.
More than just a walking travelogue or memoirs of a walking holiday, this book contains the author’s reflections on walking the Wey-South Path, including lessons learned and practical information to help you plan your Wey-South Path hiking adventure. It includes a suggested packing list, gear recommendations, and other useful tips, such as when to walk the trail, where to stay, and how much you’ll need to budget.
It also includes tips on how to access the trail, and how to walk it in either direction. This book will not only get you inspired to walk the Wey-South Path or any other long distance trail, it will encourage you to get outdoors more often.
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