Dapdune Wharf

About the museum

The River Wey was one of the first rivers in Britain to be made navigable, opening to barge traffic in 1653. The waterway linked Guildford with the Thames at Weybridge and then London, and the Godalming Navigation extended it a further four miles upriver in 1764.

Dapdune Wharf in Guildford is where the large Wey barges were built and repaired. Today the National Trust looks after the wharf and the navigations. The visitor centre at the wharf tells the story of the waterway and of the people who lived and worked on it.

Visitors can see where the barges were built and climb aboard Reliance, one of three surviving Wey barges. The wharf also offers boat trips on an electric boat, a tearoom, a second-hand bookshop run on donations and a children's play area.

Highlights

• Climb aboard the Wey barge Reliance
• Visitor centre about the River Wey Navigations and the people who worked on them
• Electric boat trips on the River Wey
• Tearoom and second-hand Book Shed
• Towpath walks and free guided walks

Permanent exhibition

• Dapdune Wharf visitor centre – The visitor centre tells the story of the River Wey Navigations and the people who lived and worked on them, and visitors can board the barge Reliance.

Operated by

National Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to Dapdune Wharf is free. Boat trips are charged to members and non-members alike. Parking is free for National Trust members; non-members pay £5.50 for up to 4 hours or £8.50 for the day. The towpath is open to walkers; licences are needed for all craft on the navigations. Some events, such as the Wharf Weenies toddler sessions, are charged separately.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site is largely rough grass with mown paths and most of the wharf has slightly uneven ground. There is level access to the tearoom from the back door and a sloped access at the front. Accessible toilets are at both ends of the site and baby changing is at the wharf. Two designated parking spaces are next to the information hut, and one wheelchair is available. Access to the towpath from the wharf is by a bridge with steps, and the towpath is only partly accessible. A full access guide is available on AccessAble. Well-behaved dogs on leads are allowed, but not on boat trips or in the play area.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The tearoom garden has a children's play area, open during tearoom hours. Wharf Weenies sessions for toddlers and young children run on selected mornings, and family trails and activities are offered; the island at the wharf is a place for children to run around. Baby changing is available at the wharf.

Getting there & parking

Dapdune Wharf is on Wharf Road behind Surrey County Cricket Ground, off Woodbridge Road (A322; reached only from the northbound carriageway). It can also be reached on foot from the town centre along the towpath.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The Lock Keeper's Tearoom serves barista-style coffee, cakes, sandwiches and ice cream, with indoor and outdoor seating and high chairs. The Book Shed is a second-hand bookshop run on donations, and a small plant stall sells plants grown by volunteers. Toilets are at the wharf, in the tearoom and at the far end of the site. Picnic benches are around the wharf.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit