What are the opening hours?

Saturday 11am - 4pm Sunday 11am - 4pm

Butley Ferry

Name: Butley Ferry
Address: C/O Alde and Ore Association, Woodbridge, IP123NJ, GB
Telephone: +447913672499
Rating: 4.2

Records suggest that this is the oldest working ferry service in the UK and is run by volunteer ferrymen on behalf of the Alde and Ore Assc. (Easter - Oct)
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Historical facts about the Butley Ferry

The Butley Ferry started as far as we know in the 16th Century making it one of the oldest ferries in Great Britain. Tudor England was at its height and it is not hard to imagine Henry V111’s Cardinal Wolsey, born in Ipswich, exploring the ‘sandlings’ as this part of coastal Suffolk has long been known. Perhaps Wolsey’s father, a local butcher, may have com

e across the ferry when buying cattle or pigs in the area. Of course in those pre industrial revolution days 85% of the population lived on the land and the estates and small holdings would have provided employment for 100s of agricultural workers. Those looking for work and with produce to sell in the thriving and much larger village of Orford would have used the ferry to cross the Butley river and save themselves a 5 mile extra trudge. In the years from then to the end of the 19th century, the ferry would have worked at least a 6 day week and was rowed by local people for probably not more than a farthing (a quarter of an old penny of which there were 240 in the pound). The ferrymen of the time would have worn the broad brimmed farm workers hat just like that worn by The Alde & Ore’s volunteer ferrymen today. In the 20th Century the invention of the bicycle and the motor car enabled new users to emerge – the rambler, the cyclist and bird watcher plus of course the weekender who had been able to visit Suffolk from London Liverpool St since the building of the East Suffolk line in 1859. It took time for the ferry to adjust to becoming a service for local people at the weekend and visitors to the area, particularly those from the Netherlands and Germany arriving at Harwich. Thanks to the Alde & Ore and the preparedness of volunteer oarsmen it now provides a memorable experience on summer weekends and bank holidays. While the ferry carried over 900 people in the summer of 2013 and around 400 bikes there is no way the service could run without our unpaid ferrymen being happy to continue to row across the river and being proud to continue this ancient service for a much more diverse community than those of over 400 years ago. The Butley Ferry will reopen again for the summer. The wonderful calm of the Butley River, the volunteer ferrymen who are from all walks of life and careers, and the uniqueness of such a ferry (which has been restored to working order for the last few years) is definitely worth a visit. There are also a few walks which encompass the ferry. Opening Easter Saturday and every Bank Holiday, Saturday and Sunday until the end of September 11.00am to 4.00pm. Prices: Adults £2.00, Children under 12 £1.50, Bicycles £1.50, dogs free. Sponsored by the Alde & Ore Association. Telephone: 07913 672499 (Group bookings taken for non operating days!)

10/06/2024

Just another reminder of Suffolks four foot ferries

04/05/2024

Delighted to welcome our youngest passenger on the ferry today - Oscar aged 9 weeks! Wishing you a very happy life and good sea legs! x

24/04/2024

And of course the Butley ferry is a lovely walk away…😎

Though small, the pretty town of Orford has many wonderful attractions including a boating river, a quayside, an oysterage, a famous smokehouse, an

02/04/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/uwTprPazyMWjs5xa/?mibextid=UalRPS

27/03/2024

A lovely article from the BBC

The head ferryman says the service plays an important part in giving people access to the outdoors.

20/03/2024

And a lovely walk from our ferry….😎

Arguably one of the prettiest villages on the Suffolk Coast, Orford is a true historical gem. From its castle, pretty cottages and welcoming pubs to the pict...

18/03/2024

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=793190162861060&set=a.441383744708372&type=3&mibextid=WC7FNe

The Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape runs from Kessingland in north Suffolk down to the Stour Estuary in north Essex

The diverse & ever-changing landscape is internationally important for birds, and a great place to live, work & visit

👉https://ow.ly/E0st50QaXY1

11/03/2024

Very interesting BBC article on foot ferries featuring our favourite 🙂👍

Could the "retro charm" of these ancient river crossings be their saving grace?

18/11/2023

Todays Butley ferry annual lunch witnessed ferry person of the year award to Bobby Rusack and 20 year long service award to Simon Barrow. Well done both 👏👏

09/09/2023

Ferry folk can get up to some strange activities on balmy late summer days - here we have one impersonating a seal!

09/09/2023

Sun precautions taken at the ferry today for what could be the hottest day of the year! Also note lack of breeze!

28/08/2023

In the Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, four historic foot ferries provide a vital service & unique experience on the estuaries 🚣 Ferry services operate seasonally in Butley, Felixstowe Ferry, Walberswick & Harwich Explore our guide 👉 https://t.co/u2otl9NPHM

23/07/2023

I had the privilege of working with our most experienced ferryman Simon today. Such a wonderful day and thank you to our passengers!

26/06/2023

Busy start to the week as we improve the jetty on the Gedgrave side of the Butley river. Hard days work led by Roy & Stephen and will be completed by the weekend 👍

17/05/2023

We think this sums Orford up perfectly

“RT : There are few places better on The Suffolk Coast to soak up the blue skies and sunshine than , a small fishing…”

02/05/2023

Yesterday we had a visit from the Felixstowe inshore rescue boat crew - it was a pleasure meeting another volunteer team.

28/04/2023

The relaunch of our refurbished ferry 😎

28/04/2023

https://www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org/managing/grants/aaf/amenity-and-accessibility-fund-case-studies-butley-ferry/

The Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Amenity and Accessibility Fund aims to improve the environment and natural character of the area by awarding grants to projects that conserve habitats and species and improve sustainable access to the area.

25/04/2023

https://twitter.com/suffolkaonb/status/1650783001469497345?s=46&t=bd0-x72yy1c94kMB-We3Lw

“Orford is in a beautiful corner on the Suffolk Coast. Streets of red brick cottages surround the dramatic Norman Castle and the ancient church of St Bartholomew. Beside the river Ore, the quay faces mysterious Orford Ness 🚣 Download our guide 👉 https://t.co/gRrzCCvZC8”

28/03/2023

“In the Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, four historic foot ferries provide a vital service & unique experience on the estuaries 🚣 Ferry services operate seasonally in Butley, Felixstowe Ferry, Walberswick & Harwich Explore our guide 👉 https://t.co/u2otl9NPHM”

04/03/2023

How grateful we are to be operating our service in this wonderful environment

The Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a distinctive area of nationally significant countryside, towns and villages in East Suffolk ...

12/01/2023

We’re pleased to post our new 2023 Butley Ferry leaflet which includes walk and cycle route information, the history of the ferry and much more! The ferry will start operating again Easter weekend.

26/10/2022

The Butley ferry is now closed for the winter - reopening Easter 2023. Thank you all for your custom!

14/10/2022

Today we took the ferry out of the river for some winter recuperation and maintenance. It’s been a busy year! Thank you Pinney's of Orford for the use of their jetty.

01/10/2022

We are operating tomorrow 2nd of October and our last weekend of the season will be next weekend 8th & 9th. Thank you all for your custom this year!

01/10/2022

A very high tide today challenged our ferryman Matthew and he got all passengers over the river safely!

25/09/2022

We are pleased to post this blog which captures the many delights of our ferry. Thank you Ruth

In which I get hugely excited about a ferry driven by a man who looks like a ghost

Address

C/O Alde And Ore Association
Woodbridge
IP123NJ

Opening Hours

Saturday	11am - 4pm
Sunday	11am - 4pm

Telephone

+447913672499

Website

http://www.aldeandore.org/

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Videos

Todays Butley ferry annual lunch witnessed ferry person of the year award to Bobby Rusack and 20 year long service award to Simon Burrow. Well done both 👏👏