The 23 mile Wey and Arun Canal - comprising of the combined Arun Navigation and the Wey and Arun Junction canal - was once the national inland waterway network's only connection to the English Channel.

The Wey and Arun Canal is approximately 23 miles (37 kilometers) long in its entirety. Located in Southeast England, it historically connected the River Wey at Shalford (near Guildford, Surrey) to the River Arun at Pallingham (near Pulborough, West Sussex). Often referred to as "London's Lost Route to the Sea," it was originally built in the early 19th century to provide a safe inland shipping route between London and the English Channel during the Napoleonic Wars, avoiding the risk of French privateers along the coast. The canal is composed of two main sections: the Arun Navigation and the Wey and Arun Junction Canal. Today, it is a "partially restored" waterway managed by the Wey & Arun Canal Trust. While not all 23 miles are currently navigable for boats, significant stretches have been restored for leisure use, and the entire route forms a beautiful green corridor popular with hikers and cyclists. In 2026, the trust continues to work on reopening blocked sections, including bridges and locks, with the ultimate goal of making the full 37-kilometer route accessible once again for continuous navigation.