Dapdune Wharf and the River Wey Navigations, Guildford

Dapdune Wharf is a working waterside heritage site on the River Wey Navigations in Guildford, managed by the National Trust. The wharf preserves the history of inland waterway transport with beautifully restored traditional barges, including the Reliance, a Wey barge built in 1903. Visitors can board the barges, explore the heritage exhibitions in the boathouse, and learn about the people and cargo that once travelled these waters during the height of commercial navigation.

The site sits at the heart of Guildford's riverside quarter, with easy access to the River Wey towpath. The waterway itself stretches from Guildford to the Thames at Weybridge, offering scenic walking and cycling routes through countryside and parkland. The wharf provides a peaceful spot to sit by the water, watch wildlife, or take guided or self-hire boat trips along the navigations. It is particularly popular with families and those interested in industrial heritage, transport history, and traditional waterway crafts.

Dapdune Wharf was once a major hub for trading barges carrying agricultural and industrial goods; today it celebrates that legacy through conservation, education, and active recreation. The site sits within walking distance of Guildford town centre and connects to the wider network of the South East's most extensive navigable waterway, making it an important landmark in the story of British inland transport.