Just off the Godalming Navigation is Town Mill, Guildford. This large mills is now the site of a small hydro electric project. The Yvonne Arnaud theatre is the modern structure next door

Part of the hydroelectric equipment at Town Mill, up and running in 2006. The mill formerly had turbines that were used to pump water to the town reservoir, until 1952. The last used turbine was given to Dapdune Wharf and it can be seen at the top of the car park. Ironically a new turbine of similar proportions to the old one had to be made, and this was used to drive the new equipment which wlil generate 260,000 kilowatt hours.

Two views of Millmead Lock. The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre is the modern structure in the lower picture

Quarry St footbridge and Millmeads

The Godalming Navigation at Millmeads, above Quarry St footbridge. This is a popular mooring spot, handy for the short walk to Guildford's shops

Attractive cottages above Millmeads. The stretch of water here has a mix of old and modern housing, the older properties being towards the southern extremity

By the little Victorian stone folly bridge over the waters that bubble from Artington Well adjacent to the towpath, lies the spot where there used to be a ferry. This ferry was said to be a link in the so called Pilgrims' Way. Just a few yards upstream is the modern steel/wood footbridge and the attractive sandy' cliffs' which are actually the side of St Catherine's Hill eroding away. The waters from the well were said to be a cure for eye complaints!

The nature of the Wey valley belies the very fact that it is situated in a very steeply sided valley. An example of this is St Catherines Hill, which is a short walk from the navigation. A path leads over the railway and past some houses. Where it meets the Portsmouth Road is another path to the left, marked St Catherines Hill. Follow this to the top for good views of the Wey valley and the Chapel (pic above), so imortalised by Turner in one of his painting, showing the Chapel and the 5 day annual St Catherine's Fair. Some think the chapel was a popular resting spot for those onthe Pilgrims' Way, though there isnt any evidence that Pilgrims actually took a route through this part of the world. Look down one side of the hill and you'll see the sandy cliffs and the River Wey almost directly below. One might wonder what the regular rumbling is beneath their feet, its the trains running benatht the hill in a tunnel

Sand and water at St Catherine's footbridge. The St Catherines Fair actually used to reach right down to this spot from the top of the hill, and it is fair to say that people reach it by boat, as well as by way of the North Downs Way. The golden sands marked the site of a ford, and it is thought that this 'gold ford' was the origin of the town name of Guildford

Just below St Catherines lock is the sinous St Catherine's stream. Waterways World featured an article (May 1990 P71-73) on the Wey backwaters. It was said in passing that some boats can reach the weir pool one and half miles upstream with care. Remember this was written 18 years ago! Despite a preliminary walk it was thought that only the one third mile section to the Tillingbourne could be done in safety because of the extremely sharp bends and fast currents. The occasonal sight of boats moored at a popular location on the first bend on St Catherine's stream, initially assumed that these boats turned at the Tillingbourne. Consequently it was concluded that these boats reversed the short 75 yards or so upstream. The journey to the confluence with the Tillingbourne was relatively fine bar one extremely sharp bend, which as expected, was difficult. The problem however was turning at the confluence to the two rivers. The currents here are extremely strong and it proved a bugbear to turn the boat. Nevertheless it was managed and here's a view looking upstream to the Shalford water works.This last bank holiday there were three boats moored up the St Catherine's stream. When did the last narrowboat manage to reach the weir pool?

The Tillingbourne just west of Shalford bridge

Shalford bridge over the Tillingbourne

Stocks in Shalford, useful if you want to be occupied for any length of time!

The Green at Shalford, opposite the stocks

Seahorse Inn, dating from 1711, miles from the sea though!

Attractive cottage in Shalford

    
The Tillingbourne again at the rear of Shalford. This is the old Lemon Bridge, the new structure is adjacent and was rebuilt in 1996 as the plaque shows

The attractive Shalford Mill, noted for its tiled walls. A working corn mill until 1914 and belonging to the Godwin-Austen family, it was then handed to a motely band of conservationsists who were opposed to modernism. Known as the Ferguson gang, they owned three properties in the area including the mill, which were donated to the National Trust in the 1930's

The mill is well worth a visit. its open on Wednesdays and Sundays during the summer from 11 to 5pm

The pitwheel, the upright shaft and the great spur wheel at Shalford Mill

The next section is a look at the Wey up to Godalming and beyond

Ockham Mill & Weybridge to Byfleet    Byfleet Junction to Papercourt    Send - Guildford    Onto the Godalming Navigation     Godalming & beyond