Local Ferries in Suffolk

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The Ferries in Suffolk are local ferry services in southeastern England, United Kingdom which connects Suffolk with Essex to its south.

Contents

[edit] Bawdsey Ferry

A foot ferry, that also takes cycles, across the River Deben between Felixstowe Ferry and Bawdsey. used by the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Path and Regional Cycle Route 41. Operates summer weekends only, contact: 07709 411511 (2007 season). The ferry can also be used as a water taxi to moored yachts[1].

Inside the Bawdsey Ferry
Inside the Bawdsey Ferry

Prior to 1894 the small passenger boats ran ferry trips. From 1894 to 1931 Sir Cuthbert Quilter, owner of Bawdsey Manor, established a steam-drawn chain ferry. From 1931 until the start of WW2 Charlie Brinckley then operated a launch for passengers with his son Robert (senior)[2]. Bawdsey Manor was purchased by the RAF in 1936 to become RAF_Bawdsey[3] and the ferry was closed to the public during WW2. After the end of the war a daily service was operated until 1974 under contract to RAF Bawdsey and since 1974 it has operated on summer weekends only[2]. The Bawdsey Ferry is mentioned in three Acts of Parliament, the 'Felixstowe & Bawdsey Ferry Railway Act 1887'[4], the 'Felixstowe and Bawdsey Ferry Railway (Extension of Time) Act 1890'[5] and the 'Felixstowe and Bawdsey Ferry Rly.(Abandonment) Act 1892'[6]

[edit] Butley Ferry

A small ferry across the River Butley for foot passengers and cyclists (no tandems) using Regional Cycle Route 41. Operated by volunteers on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 11am to 4pm within the season, which was April 6th to September 30th. Outside those hours by pre-booking on +44(0)1394 450843 or +44(0)7913 672499 (2007 season). More information available from the notice on the pier. Claims to be the smallest licensed ferry in Europe[7].

The Butley Ferry
The Butley Ferry

The ferry service was restarted by Bryan Rogers after a gap of 80 year and is now run by volunteers[8]

[edit] Harwich Harbour Ferry

Operates across the River Stour and River Orwell running between Harwich International Port near Harwich and Landguard Fort near to the Port of Felixstowe and also to Shotley Gate on the Shotley Peninsular(summer only). See the main article 'Harwich Harbour Ferry' for more details.

[edit] Southwold to Walberswick Ferry

The Southwold to Walberswick ferry across the River Blyth uses a traditional rowing boat and operates daily from June to September and weekends only in April and May (2007 season). Contact: 01502 478615[9]

Until 1885 a rowing ferry was used when a floating bridge chain ferry was started, initially hand-cranked ferry later being replaced by a steam ferry which ran until 1942 after improvements to the habour made operation of the ferry too difficult. Frank Palmer then restarted the old rowing ferry has was succeeded by Bob Cross and David Church.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Felixstowe Ferry-Bawdsey - River Deben. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  2. ^ a b Felixstowe-Bawdsey Ferry. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  3. ^ A walk around Bawdsey. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  4. ^ Rights of Way Sub-Committee - 26 May 2004. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  5. ^ Acts of the Parliaments of the United Kingdom - Part 95 (1890a). Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  6. ^ Acts of the Parliaments of the United Kingdom - Part 92 (1887). Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  7. ^ Orford - Ferries, Excursion Boats, Quays. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  8. ^ Rural rides - The Suffolk Coastal Cycle Route. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  9. ^ Southwold - Walberswick Ferry. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.

[edit] External links

[edit] Bawdsey Ferry

[edit] Butley Ferry

[edit] Harwich Harbour Ferry

51°56′22″N, 1°18′17″E

[edit] Southwold to Walberswick Ferry