Long before bridges spanned every river and motorways carved through the landscape, ferries were the vital arteries of travel in Britain. Today, a selection of these historic routes remain, offering a nostalgic and deeply memorable way to journey through the country. These crossings are more than just transport; they are floating museums, connecting modern travellers to centuries of maritime heritage, seafaring legends, and timeless landscapes.
In Devon, the lower ferry across the River Dart has been in operation since the 14th century. While the horses that once pulled the chains are gone, the experience remains classic. A tugboat guides a simple barge across the fast-flowing tidal river, landing passengers in Dartmouth, a town steeped in naval history and once home to famed explorer John Davis. The journey feels like a page from a history book, with the steeply wooded valley providing a dramatic, unchanging backdrop.
Another journey steeped in history can be found in Herefordshire, at Symonds Yat on the River Wye. Here, a hand-pulled ferry connects the banks, operated on-demand by the barman from the Saracens Head pub. This charmingly rustic crossing takes you to a landscape that inspired a revolution in art and tourism after William Gilpin praised its untamed beauty in 1770. It’s a tangible link to the birth of the picturesque movement.
From the pirate-era pubs of Penzance, the starting point for the Scilly ferry, to the historic port of Harwich in Essex, these journeys are woven into the fabric of British history. Opting for these water crossings allows you to slow down and appreciate the deep-rooted stories of the nation’s waterways, making your trip a richer, more meaningful adventure.