The Wey and Arun Canal

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Canal Navigations' Wey and Arun Junction Canal Title Banner

Fastbridge to Tickners Heath

Sign proclaiming the summit level of the canal west of Fast Bridge
Sign denoting the summit level of the Wey and Arun Junction canal at Fast Bridge

The summit level of the canal to the west of Fast Bridge
View of the canal from the Guildford Road. The canal recieved its main supply of water from Vachery Pond. This feeder entered the Wey and Arun south of here but is no longer in use

The route across seemingly derelict land to Farnhurst Lane Entrance to Farnhurst Lane, which leads to the canal westwards of Fast Bridge
This rather derelict looking area south of Fast Bridge is in fact the access to the Wey South path towards Tickners Heath! The path, known as Farnhurst Lane, can be accessed at the rear of trees behind the mobile masts. This lane as far as the canal appears to parallel the alignment of the old feeder from Vachery Pond

Farnhurst Bridge on the perimeter of Dunsfold Airfield The bridge is on private property
This is Farnhurst Bridge. On the northern perimeter of the canal is Dunsfold Airfield, and signs warn would be trespassers

Its possible to walk most of the canal towards the Compass Mobile Home Park with care
Even though the towpathis on the north side and inaccessible, for the more sturdy walker the south side of the canal can be walked with care as far as Compasses Mobile Home Park

The now culverted Compass Bridge
This is the site of Compass Bridge. The current structure provides access to Dunsfold Airfield which is now becoming a retail park

The Three Compasses at Alfold
Not Portmerion but the Three Compasses Inn, Alfold, which has associations with the Wey and Arun canal. The three Caterham Seven parked on the forecourt cars are descendants of the original KAR 120C that belonged to 'The Prisoner'

Plaque at Three Compasses comoreating opening of canal here in 1816 Another old sign at the Three Compasses showing rights of way
Plaques on the wall of the Three Compasses. The left hand one denotes the ceremony of the official opening of the Wey and Arun here in 1816, whilst the other shows a right of way notice

From the Three Compasses one must walk along Dunsfold Road westwards. Eventually paths leading northwards to the canal will be apparent. Whilst there is no towpath, there is a rough path along the southern side of the canal towards Tickners Heath

The canal as it parallels Dunsfold Road near Tickners Heath
Path along the southern side of the canal, a bit rough but nevertheless the only way to see the Wey and Arun off Dunsfold Road

Attractive wide pool on canal east of Tickners Heath Bridge
Wide pool on the canal east of Tickners Heath

Restored section of canal at Tickners Heath
When Dunsfold Road is reached again, a spledidly recently restored section reveals itself on the other side of the road

Sign denoting the restored section of canal at Tickners Heath
Tickners Heath restored section signboard

Restored sluices on the section of canal at Tickners Heath
Restored towpath and sluices at Tickners Heath

Abandoned, rotting, pontoon by the canal at Tickners Heath
Abandoned punt west of Tickners Heath

End of the restored section of canal at Tickners Heath. The route beyond extends into Sydney Wood
The end of the restored Tickners Heath section. Beyond here is the largely unrestored stretches through woodland, beginning with Fir Tree Copse