There are four foot ferries in Suffolk, all of which are set in the finest areas of Britain, including the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The AONB covers 150 square miles and is specially protected because of its outstanding landscape, heritage, and wildlife.
There are only 47 AONBs in Britain, 2 of them in Suffolk (the second is Dedham Vale), so you can see how special they are.
The Four Foot Ferries of Suffolk are
Harwich Foot & Cycle Ferry
Crossing the Stour and Orwell Estuaries
Between April and October
9.45-5 pm weekdays and
9.45 – 5.35 pm weekends, school holidays
This Ferry goes to Shotley and to Felixstowe.
Bawdsey Ferry
Crossing the Deben Estuary between Bawdsey Quay and Felixstowe
From early May – end September daily trips between 10 am-6 pm and October weekends 10 am-5 pm
John Barber Ferryman (07709 411511)
For information on Bawdsey Quay please see – Bawdsey Quay.
Butley Ferry
Crossing the Butley River (Alde and Ore)
Rowing Boat Ferry
The Butley ferrymen are all volunteers, and they row between the Gedgrave banks of the Butley River. There has been a ferry crossing here since the 16C, making it one of the oldest in the country. This crossing cuts 5 miles off the section from the walk from Butley to Orford. Nowadays, it is mainly used for leisure purposes, but historically it has performed an essential transport service for people and goods.
Today people come from miles away to enjoy this experience as the River Butley offers wide views of the flat, wild surrounding countryside. If you’re lucky, the ferryman might be wearing a distinctive hat – the uniform of the ferrymen! It’s wide-brimmed and made of felt, and the style dates back to the 16C, as you’ll be able to tell!
The Butley Ferry is sponsored by the Alde and Ore Association which exists to preserve the Alde, Ore and Butley rivers & their banks and Shingle Street for the public.
Operating weekends and bank holidays only from Easter Saturday until the end of September 11 am – 4 pm
Various Ferrymen and women are involved – mob 07913 672499
Walberswick Ferry
Crossing the Blyth estuary
Rowing Boat Ferry
Operating weekends and bank holidays only from early April until the end of October 10 am – 5 pm, except June – Sept daily
01502 478712
The information in this article is provided in good faith, but please check the contacts provided to ensure the Ferry service is operating, and we take no responsibility for the services offered.
