Conservation areas

Wey Navigation Conservation Area (designated August 1999)

The designation of the Runnymede section of the Wey Navigation as a conservation area formed part of the comprehensive strategy to designate a linear conservation area along the total length of the Wey and Godalming Navigations.

The Navigations run for 20 miles from Weybridge to Godalming, and pass through five local authority areas. It was considered that this whole area merited conservation area designation by virtue of its antiquity, appearance and special quality.

The Navigations form the country's second oldest man-made inland waterway, and the southernmost extremity of the inland waterway network, and for these reasons are considered to be of great archaeological and historical importance.

The construction of the waterway involved other engineering works including locks, weirs and other means to manage the flow of the river. Together with associated structures such as lock keepers cottages, mills, storehouses, stables and wharves, the waterway makes up a unique man made feature.

The section of the River Wey navigation that passes through Runnymede has a distinctive and attractive character, with great historic interest rooted in its past and continuing use as a navigable waterway.

  Wey Navigation Conservation Area Map