
26/12/2022
Some of the lock cottages are looking very festive this year. Not too difficult but can you guess where all three cottages are?
A really unusual National Trust place in Surrey - 20 miles of river navigation, running from Godalming to Weybridge. Visit Dapdune Wharf in Guildford.
National Trust is a charity with a love for preserving historic places and spaces across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
River Wey Navigations is a 20 mile mix of river and canal, created in 1650 to serve the agricultural and industrial are of west Surrey and provide an easy means of transporting goods to the London markets. It remained a commercially viable transport system until the 1960s when it was donated to the Trust. There is a visitor centre at Dapdune Wharf, open Thursday to Monday and a full events programme. Shalford Mill a wonderful hidden gem, in the quiet backwater of Shalford sitting across the Tillingbourne stream. The building has remained almost unaltered since ceasing operations in 1914. Although the water wheel no longer functions, you can trace the journey of grain around the mill until it was bagged up and carted off to the bakers. There are regular guided tours of this well preserved early 18th century water mill as well as many fun events for children. Open on Wed/Sun
Operating as usual
Some of the lock cottages are looking very festive this year. Not too difficult but can you guess where all three cottages are?
Happy Christmas from all of us at NT River Wey! Hope you have a great festive season and we look forward enjoying the river with you in 2023.
Hopefully you get the opportunity to walk along the river in between food and festivities over the coming days. There are some beautiful spots of the river to enjoy.
Thanks to your generous donations the Book Shed at Dapdune Wharf raised over £26,000 for conservation of the Wey Navigations in 2022. It has been an amazing year and we wish to thank you so much for your support in helping the bookshop to grow. The winter bookshops in the tearoom, Gunpowder Store and stable are open for two more days before Christmas, 10am-4.30pm on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd, each packed with fiction, non-fiction, children's books and hidden gems for your last minute stocking filler needs. Merry Christmas everyone!
Today marks the Winter Solstice and although it is not that wintery today, we have experienced some beautiful winter weather this month. Being the shortest day of the year, we can look forward to more daylight each day.
"Keep very still and they shouldn't notice me..."
Many will remember the sweltering weather we had in the summer and the resulting fires, such as the one near Coxes Mill Pond. A couple of volunteers and I visited the same spot last week in almost the opposite weather to plant some tree saplings into the spots that were scorched. Chilly work but it will be exciting to monitor their progress as they grow to fill area. Steve - New Haw Lengthsman
From 16th to 23rd December our four second-hand bookshops and the tearoom at Dapdune Wharf are open every day 10-4.30pm and packed with super low cost stocking fillers! Over the next eight days we'll have on display all the books we can find to meet your Christmas shopping needs. We wish all our visitors a very Merry Christmas holidays!
It's the week before Christmas and Dapdune Wharf is open every day from Friday 16th to 23rd December, 10am-4.30pm. Visit the children's bookshop in the Gunpowder Store and while you're there enjoy seasonal crafts, from origami paper angels and baubles to making a Gingerbread House Christmas card. Play table tennis in the Barge Shed, board games in the tearoom, or explore outdoors with our free spotter trails!
At Dapdune Wharf you can make a paper angel decorations for Christmas. While creating your angel in the children's bookshop why not browse our great selection of books for children of all ages. We are open Friday's, Saturday's and Sunday's from 10am to 4.30pm. Crafts and entry is free. Parking charges apply for non National Trust members
For the winter the Barge Building Shed at Dapdune Wharf has joined Table Tennis England's successful Ping Pong Parlour project. Ping Pong Parlours offer fun venues to play ping pong for free and it's a great social way to get active and keep warm on your visit to the Wharf this winter. Perfect for rainy days too! We're really excited to offer this opportunity and if you would like to take part, just pop along Friday to Sunday 10am-4.30pm and pick up a bat! See our special Ping Pong Parlour page https://www.tabletennisengland.co.uk/ping-tables/national-trust-dapdune-wharf/
Dapdune Wharf's Tearoom Bookshop is ready for the festive season! Visit Friday to Sunday 10am-4.30pm for Christmas shopping in the bookshops, seasonal crafts for children, outdoor trails, table tennis and winter walks by the Wey. This weekend make these cute origami paper angels and Christmas baubles to hang on your tree at home! Morning coffee and pastries from 10am, light lunch and afternoon tea all day
You can make a lovely large Christmas willow star decorated with fairy lights at Dapdune Wharf on Thursday 8 December. All the materials and the fairy lights are included in the price, plus hot drinks and a mince pie. For full details and to book tickets please click here https://bit.ly/3GrM91f
There are a few tickets remaining for our free guided walk next Wednesday 23 November. The Gunpowder walk starts at 10.30am and is 6 mile circular walk from Shalford Mill over the Surrey Hills to the Chilworth gunpowder mills plus a tour of the site. For more information and to book your free tickets please click here https://bit.ly/3VaYXx1
Bookaccino is back at Dapdune Wharf this weekend! To celebrate our new winter opening, visitors on Friday, Saturday and Sunday can pick up a free book, when first buying a large coffee or hot chocolate at the Tearoom Bookshop. Since our last Bookaccino weekend in May, your donations of second-hand books have raised over £20,000 for waterway conservation. Thank you so much for your support. The November Bookaccino offer includes fiction and crime, children’s books and lots of non-fiction. The Tearoom Bookshop, plus children’s bookshop in the Gunpowder Store, Arts and Craft in the ticket hut, and the Stable with more fiction, are open 10am – 4.30pm- with entry on Wharf Road and from the River Wey towpath in Guildford.
Dapdune Wharf's Tearoom is proud to become part of The Chatty Cafe Scheme UK. Up for a chat when you visit the tearoom? Just find the yellow table and fellow visitors will know you wouldn't mind a natter! As the tearoom and bookshop have joined as one for winter it's a great time to grab a coffee and chat about a book you're reading. The Tearoom Bookshop is open bright and early 10am this weekend and it would be wonderful to see you! Check out our chatty page here https://bit.ly/3NZvdRu
Visit Dapdune Wharf this Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a first look at our new winter offer! With new look opening hours, the combined Tearoom Bookshop is open 10am – 4.30pm, November to March. The Gunpowder Store is the children’s bookshop, where free craft activities will also be available for families, and everyone is welcome for a game of table tennis in the Barge Building Shed. Visitors keen to stretch their legs with a riverside walk can access the towpath from Dapdune and children can collect a free towpath trail sheet to take with them. Add the fairy doors trail around the island and two more pop-up bookshops coming soon and we hope you'll find many reasons to pay a visit to the Wharf this winter! See website https://bit.ly/3CzVm4f
The River Wey Navigations team is excited to have a stand at the Guildford Farmers' Market today from 10.30am to 3.30pm, so why not come and visit us. You will find us towards the bottom of the high street just in front of where the Gap store used to be. Our friendly team of staff and volunteers look forward to welcoming you and we can tell you about all of the exciting things we have coming up. See you there.
Online entry has now closed for Saturday's Spooktacular family fun run at Dapdune Wharf. The great news is you can still sign up on the day, £3 each at the ticket hut. Children's crafts, storytelling and run registration from 4.15, the 2k fun run starts at 6.30. The Witch's tearoom is open and serving before, during and after. Full details here https://bit.ly/3rWh1OZ
Light up your Wey to Dapdune Wharf and create an autumn themed lantern Monday to Friday this October half-term. Then next Saturday (29th) bring a torch and light your Wey around the Spooktacular family fun run. £3 each, with storytelling, crafts and tearoom from 4.30, and the 2k run at 6.30. Sign up for the run here https://bit.ly/3rWh1OZ and check out more about half-term week here https://bit.ly/3ysRDUN
It's a magical time of year, and there's plenty of autumnal beauty at Dapdune Wharf at the moment. There's also a couple more weeks of boat trips running, and the kingfisher has returned as usual to fish in the creek.
We are excited to let you know that Dapdune Wharf will be staying open this winter! From 11 November the Lock keeper's Tearoom and the Book Shed are joining together to become the Tearoom Bookshop. Open 10.00am – 4.30pm, visitors can enjoy morning coffee, light lunch and afternoon tea, and delve into a fabulous selection of books in cosy surrounds. The Tearoom Bookshop also welcomes private group bookings Monday to Thursday, making it the perfect place to treat family, friends or colleagues in the winter months! Further details on the website https://bit.ly/3CzVm4f
Booking is now open for Dapdune Wharf's Spooky fun run on Saturday 29th October. The 2k night run will start at 6.30pm with lots to keep you entertained beforehand, so why not fuel yourself with hot chocolate, soup and warm snacks from the Witch's Tea Room or take part in children’s crafts and storytelling in the Gunpowder Store. Dressing up is encouraged. A torch is recommended and footwear suitable for muddy paths. See website for more and to book https://bit.ly/3rWh1OZ
Get crafty this October half term and make an autumn themed lantern at Dapdune Wharf in Guildford. Go spooky and create a pumpkin, ghost or witch or be inspired by the nature that surrounds you. Just bring a clean glass jar and we will provide the rest.
-Free craft event
-Mon 24 - Fri 28 October
-11am - 5pm
-No booking required
-Parking on site (parking charges apply for non-members)
-Event info: https://bit.ly/3ysRDUN
Historical items need some regular TLC to keep them in good condition. At Dapdune the capstans have had some fairly major restoration work and Reliance has had a coat of protective paint. Both are looking very shiny in the autumn sun.
During August the Woking Photographic Society held their summer exhibition at Dapdune Wharf and invited our visitors to vote for their favourite image to win the John Bloss Trophy. A grand total of 1964 of you voted and we can announce the top three photographs. First place is 'Woodpecker & Jay stand-off' by Mike Tibbotts, second place is 'Red Squirrel, Peeping' by Richard Sheldrake and third place is 'The Old Mill at Borrowdale' by Justin Cliffe. Congratulations to Mike and to all those who exhibited their wonderful photographs.
We're deeply saddened by the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. During her reign, The Queen's towering leadership and unshakable integrity were a source of pride and inspiration for generations of people around the world.
She will be deeply missed and we extend our sincerest condolences to the Royal Family.
In light of this sad news, we have decided to cancel the Wey River Festival event that was due to take place on 17 September.
Thank you for your understanding
The River Wey Festival is not far off now and the bookshop will be expanded with some extra outdoor stalls for the day. So we are very keen to have as much stock as possible. If you have any books to donate please bring them along to Dapdune Wharf any time we are open, and maybe also get yourself a bargain at the Festival on the 17th.
Is it really September? For us at the River Wey, that means one thing - the Wey River Festival is nearly here! This year it's all happening on Sat 17 Sept at Dapdune Wharf from 11am. Stalls, food, children's activities with Adventure Island, and of course, the stunner - the illuminated pageant at dusk. Free entry to Dapdune Wharf in Guildford, but use local car parks, no parking at the Wharf. We're looking forward to seeing you!
Thank you to the many wonderful visitors who have come out to play at Dapdune Wharf and made this year's Summer Festival of Sport a month to remember. Best news is there are two more days, so come along on Tuesday or Wednesday and relive those amazing active August memories! There's even a new activity on Wednesday when you can try New Age Kurling in the Barge Building Shed, alongside all your summer favourites like archery, cricket, table tennis and mini golf!
Dapdune Wharf’s Summer family fun run is almost under starters orders! With 100 places available you can book at the ticket hut at Dapdune on Saturday until 5pm, or guarantee places for all the family by booking on the website tonight https://bit.ly/3Qgu3Bi After your 2k run at 5.30, enjoy a boat trip and an evening of relaxation and refreshment by the riverside. Boat trips at 5.20 (for non-runners), then 6.10 and 7.00 after the run. Boat trips can be booked from 4pm at the ticket hut. Tearoom and book shop open until 8.30pm.
There are just a few days left to come and see the Woking Photographic Society Annual Exhibition which ends on Saturday 27 August. There has already been over 1000 votes cast for the public's favourite photo so come down to Dapdune Wharf between 11am - 5pm to choose your winner. Entry is free but a parking charge applies to non National Trust members.
Dapdune Wharf’s festival of sport continues to the end of August and there are still three more opportunities to join in an Everyone Welcome introduction to cricket session with Guildford Cricket Club. The next dates are Tuesday 23rd, Thursday 25th and Tuesday 30th, from 11.00 to 1.30, and it’s free to play and discover cricket for the first time. If you live locally please come along by public transport or on foot as there will be limited parking at Dapdune during the cricket sessions. Come out and play at the festival of sport every day 11-5 till 31st, then celebrate your personal bests with a scoop ice cream from the tearoom!
Dapdune Wharf's Summer family fun run is the perfect way to unwind on a bank holiday weekend. On Saturday 27th, the Wharf will be open into the evening for a 2k run in the sun at 5.30, then an evening of relaxation and refreshment by the riverside, with evening boat trips, the tearoom, book shop and leisurely garden games. Suitable for all ages, book online now https://bit.ly/3Qgu3Bi. Evening boat trips available to book at the ticket hut from 4pm on the day.
The Astolat Model Railway Open Day is today at Dapdune Wharf in Guildford. Come along between 11am and 5pm to see the layouts, chat to the modellers and bring your OO or N gauge locos to run. Entry is free but parking charges apply to non National Trust members.
We love seeing so many of you coming along to Dapdune Wharf to enjoy our festival of sport, which is running daily throughout August. Thank you to all of you for your wonderful 'we are the champions' drawings showing off your favourite sports. Here is a selection of some of our favourites so far.
Don't forget our Summer family fun run, which is taking place on Saturday 27th August. More details can be found on our website https://bit.ly/3poKS18
Mark Carter - Getting a different perspective on Guildford... By boat. - BBC Sounds
Mark Carter visits Dapdune Wharf, managed by the National Trust, and takes a boat trip!
The Astolat Model Railway Circle are holding their summer Open Day next Saturday 20 August at Dapdune Wharf in Guildford, GU1 4RR. From 11am - 5pm you can see their working layouts, talk to the modellers and bring your OO or N gauge loco to run. Admission is free but a parking charge applies to non National Trust members.
Did you know that you needed a licence to use a SUP or kayak on the Wey navigations? It's really easy to buy one just - click on the link and follow the steps. https://bit.ly/3SROIh5
By buying your licence, you are directly helping to protect and conserve the navigation for generations to come. Thank you.
Wharf Road
Guildford
GU14RR
Dapdune Wharf is 10 mins from Guildford station along the towpath. Buses 28, 20 and 4 stop in Woodbridge Road, then walk down Wharf Road.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/riverwey
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The swans hadn't nested at Dapdune this year so it was a pleasant surprise when this family of six suddenly turned up. The nest may have been out on the floodplain somewhere.
I hope some of you may have been able to enjoy #dawnchorusday in person, but for those who may have had their Sunday lie in, here is a clip from this morning. Lovely to hear all the different birds singing together at such a busy and important time for them. #DawnChorus #Birds #NTRiverWey #RiverWey #RiverWeyNavigation #EveryoneNeedsNature #PlacesMatter #NationalTrust #SouthEastNT
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