Wey Navigation and River
The Nov 4th walk was thankfully a dry one for a change, the previous two having been very wet. Ten of us started from Wisley Common, taking a path that leads through part of, and then alongside, RHS Wisley. Leaving the gardens behind we continued to Ockham Mill, an impressive building with a surprising amount of detailing in the brickwork for a mill. From here it was down a tree lined path beside Wisley Golf Club to the Wey Navigation where we joined the towpath.
Along here was Pryford Lock and the Marina. I think it’s fair to say we were all surprised at just how big the marina is, there looked to be up to a hundred boats, possibly more. Leaving the navigation we crossed over the M25 to Byfleet village, where one house rather stood out with its Halloween decorations.
Next came the Grade II listed Byfleet Manor House, dating from the 17th century and used as a filming location in a number of TV series, most notably Downton Abbey in which it was the residence of the Dowager Lady Grantham (Maggie Smith).
We then joined the River Wey before heading though woods, recrossing the M25 to Wisley Common and back to the start to complete an easy and enjoyable 5.3 mile loop.
