Welcome To The

Wivenhoe Fingringhoe and Rowhedge Ferry

Help us fund a new ferry for 2026!

The time has come to retire our current boat. As we look ahead to 2026, we need your help to launch the new one. The replacement ferry costs £13,000, and through the generosity of local businesses and organisations we’ve already raised £3,000! With £10,000 still needed, every donation counts. Please donate today and be a key part of keeping our communities connected. 

2025 season

The ferry runs most weekends from April through to end of October. See below for upcoming ferry times or click here for the full timetable.

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Ferry Times

sun20apr3:15 pmsun6:45 pmFerry running3:15 pm - 6:45 pm(GMT+01:00)

mon21apr4:15 pmmon7:00 pmFerry running4:15 pm - 7:00 pm(GMT+01:00)

sat26apr9:45 amsat1:15 pmFerry running9:45 am - 1:15 pm(GMT+01:00)

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Tide Times

Wivenhoe

www.essex-tides.com

Tide times for 20 April 2025

TideTimeHeight
High 04:594.3m
Low  10:531.2m
High 17:214.1m
Low  23:361.1m

Ferry Stops

Wivenhoe

Look for the shelter opposite the Royal British Legion. When the ferry is running the gate to the new pontoon will be unlocked. Stay behind the chain until a crew member arrives.

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Rowhedge

Head to the floating pontoon on Lion’s Quay next to The Anchor and opposite the rowing club’s tea hut.

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Fingringhoe

At the end of Ferry Road or next to pillbox on right. It’s only possible to land if the water is right, don’t rely on a stop here. Hail the ferry skipper from the bank. 

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Fares

Cash and contactless

Standard

£2 per trip

Under 5s/Dogs!

Free

Bikes

£2.50 per trip

The Ferry

Weather, tide times and crew permitting, the ferry will run most weekends from April to October. It runs back and forth from Wivenhoe to Rowhedge with a stop at Fingringhoe by request. It usually starts running two hours before high tide and for another hour and a half after. The journey takes about ten minutes each way. 

Whilst the regular ferry to Fingringhoe ceased in 1953 and that to Rowhedge in 1961, a new service was started around 1992. The Wivenhoe, Fingringhoe and Rowhedge Ferry is a Community Interest Company. As such it is run entirely by the volunteers for the community. 

Safety

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable trip

Follow the instructions of the skipper and crew

Wait for the crew to tell you to leave or enter the ferry.

Stay on the quay until all passengers have disembarked.

The ferry is licensed to carry a maximum of 10 passengers (including children) and 2 crew.

Look out for your children and pets

Children under 10 must have a responsible adult with them.

Keep your arms, legs, children and dogs away from the edge of the boat, especially when coming in to land.

Don’t do anything that would endanger other passengers or the ferry.

Keep your belongings safe

Look after your belongings, we won’t accept any responsibility for loss, or damage to belongings arising from whatever cause.

No alcohol on the boat, you’re less than ten minutes away from a pub.

If it’s busy we might not be able to take dogs or bicycles for that journey.

A few pointers to keep in mind when travelling.

Love the river? Volunteer!