The Wey and Arun Canal

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Canal Navigations' Wey and Arun Junction Canal Title Banner

Elmbridge to Fastbridge

Canal on north side of Elm Bridge
Looking north along the private section at Elmbridge towards Rowly

Elm Bridge - a very narrow thoroughfare for traffic
Elm bridge - or whats left of it! This narrow thoroughfare is a constant bottle neck, and care must be taken when crossing over to the Wey South path, which is accessed via a gate on the left hand side

Access to canal at Elmbridge
The other side of the gate at Elmbridge. Its actually a permissive path across a garden. so respect the occupants and ensure that this gate is always closed after you! Because the main road is immediately outside! The other side of the garden leads through another gate and onto the towpath itself

Towpath along filled in canal at Elmbridge
The towpath - but no canal! The canal ran on the right hand side but its course is filled in for a distance

Good profile of canal's channel paralell to Elmbridge Village
Patience is rewarded when the original canal profile reveals itself as it runs along the east boundary of Elmbridge Village

Good profile of canal's channel paralell to Elmbridge Village
And its in water in parts too! This is a view of the canal bed in the summer. Presumably there's more water in the winter

Culvert under canal near Elmbridge Village
As the canal leaves the southern environs of the exclusive Elmbridge Village estate, this restored culvert can be seen

Splendid stretch of canal and towpath north of Mill Farm
Further south there's a good stretch in water with a lovely wide towpath verge

Watered canal by Mill Farm
The restored section ends at Mill Farm, where a lenghty detour must be taken via a bridge across the Cranleigh Waters and across a field to Garston Cottages thence along Alfold Road in order to attain the canal route once again nearFlash Bridge

Dry bed of canal by Mill Farm
The dry bed of the Wey and Arun heading southwards at Mill Farm

Watered canal near Flash Bridge
The canal can be seen through the trees at several locations to the west of Flash Bridge. The names for this partof the world are a bit convoluted. We've had Flash bridge, yet some cottages nearby are known as being in Vastbridge! And a short distance away there's Fast bridge!

Bridge restored faster than lighting at Fast bridge!
This is the restored Fast bridge, just off the Guildford Road at Vastbridge. Its a splendid sight and one can sit on the bench and admire the structure

Plaque for Jack Pocock who led the Fast Bridge restoration
Plaque in memoriam to Jack Pocock who led the restoration of Fast Bridge

The canal is divided by the main Guildford Road and on the other side is the summit level, which we look at in the next section from Fast Bridge to Tickners Heath