Dapdune Wharf in Guildford is the visitor centre for the River Wey Navigation, among the first British rivers made navigable, which opened to barges in 1653 and ran 15 miles to the Thames at Weybridge; the Godalming Navigation of 1764 added four miles upriver. From 1894 the Edwards family built the big Wey barges here, and Reliance, one of only three survivors, can be boarded in the dry dock. The last private owner, Harry Stevens, gave the waterway to the National Trust in 1964. Entry is free. Electric boat trips run from the wharf, the Book Shed sells second-hand books, the tea room garden has a play area, and 20 miles of towpath suit walkers and dogs on leads. Reviewers describe a calm green space a short walk from the town centre, with good cake and coffee and an informative boat trip of about 40 minutes. One tip from regular visitors: book the boat online in advance, as each trip carries only 12 people.
