Broadwater Park & The Godalming Navigation
Godalming
Children will enjoy a play area, lake, a working lock on the navigation and a waffle hut.
The Godalming Navigation tow path
The Basics
Time: It takes about 50 minutes to walk from Broadwater Park to Godalming centre, but as this is a linear route, you can choose to turn back at any point.
Distance: 3.4 km / 2 miles to walk from Broadwater Park to Godalming town centre.
Terrain: Flat tow path, paved paths around the lake, a busy road crossing, the path connecting the park to the canal can be muddy in winter.
Pushchairs: A good off-road pushchair should cope with this route.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome in Broadwater Park but the play area is enclosed and dogs must stay outside.
Refreshments: There is a picnic area beside the lake in Broadwater Park as well as Waffles and Stuff kiosk by the rugby club car park. The Ragged Robin pub backs onto the navigation as does River Walk Café at Farncombe Boathouse.
Toilets: There are public toilets beside the play area in Broadwater Park.
Public Transport: Trains on the main London to Portsmouth line stop at Godalming and buses stop at Broadwater Park.
Parking: A range of free car parks in Broadwater Park, the largest being beside the leisure centre on Summers Road (Postcode: GU7 3BH - W3W: ///system.scarcely.hardly)
Farncombe Boat House and River Walk Cafe
Broadwater Park in Farncombe, next to Godalming, is a popular spot for families. You can park for free, grab some waffles, feed the ducks, play at the play area and walk around the lake in under half an hour. But your visit can be made even better by walking down to The Godalming Navigation. In one direction you can walk to Godalming town centre beside the canal passing a pub, cafe and working lock and in the other direction a pretty village play area in Peasmarsh.
The Route
If you parked at the main car park by the leisure centre, exit the car park towards the lake, walking away from the road. Turn right after the tennis courts to find the play area and turn left to find the picnic area. If you just want to walk around the lake, it won’t take you much more than twenty minutes and will be on paved paths.
If you want to add a walk along the Godalming Navigation tow path, walk around the lake in either direction and look out for the flat wooden bridge that goes over a water outlet/inlet from the lake. This is near Waffles and Stuff and on the opposite side of the lake to the picnic area. Just before, or after, depending on which way you walked around the lake, there is a path exiting the park towards the road with a pelican crossing point. Cross the road and then veer left on the other side and take the footpath signed River Wey Navigations. Follow the path until you reach the canal.
Right along the towpath will take you in the direction of Godalming. You will pass the garden of The Ragged Robin Pub then Farncombe Boat House and River Walk Café. After this, you will need to cross the road and on the other side you will find Catteshall Lock. When you reach the United Church, you will need to go up onto the road bridge, and from there, it is a short hop across the roundabout to Godalming town centre with all the usual shops, cafes, pubs etc. You can vary the route back by taking the path through Lammas Lands, but beware there is usually cattle grazing.
Left along the towpath will take you in the direction of Guildford. You can walk as far as you like along the Godalming Navigation, but a good place to stop with children is Peasmarsh, where there is a lovely play area on the village green. It will take you about 45 minutes. To get there, walk along the towpath, crossing the road at one point towards Unstead Lock. After the lock, look for a bridge over the water with black metal railings, turn left here and go up the steps. Turn left onto the cycle path along the disused railway track. At a green iron road bridge, turn left and follow the path going parallel to the road. Turn left into Oakdene Road to find the play area. This is an open play area where dogs are allowed.
Gain access to the member's only area of our website where you will find the complete A-Z library of all our PDF files. This includes over 220 self-guided walks ready to print or download, as well as various children's activity sheets. You will also find a digital membership card, giving you access to our current discounts.
Broadwater Park:
Peasmarsh:
Godalming Navigation:
Did you know?
The Wey was one of the first British rivers to be made navigable, and opened to barge traffic in 1653.
If you like this walk…
…try this one at Pyrford, which follows another section of The River Wey Navigation.
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