FERRY STATUS

Please check the timetable for details on timings of the ferry service.

APPLEDORE START OF FERRY SERVICE

Please note that the published start of service for the ferry gives an indication when the ferry will pick up its onboard crew and passengers from Instow; the first ferry from Appledore will usually be about 10-15 minutes after the published timing. This only applies when there is one ferry operating.

Weather

16°C

Torridge Estuary

Mostly Cloudy

Humidity: 86%

Wind: 35.40 km/h

17 Aug 2017
19°C 15°C
18 Aug 2017
16°C 13°C

EVENTS CALENDAR

2017

APRIL

1 Launch of ferry service

9 Blessing of ferries

MAY

JUNE

JULY

2 Bideford Rotary Water Festival

30 Appledore Instow Regatta

AUGUST

11-13 Appledore Summer Festival

13 Carnival

SEPTEMBER

22 Appledore Book Festival

OCTOBER

31 End of ferry season

MARRIAGE PROPOSAL ON THE FERRY!

On Monday 26 June 2017 the ferry experienced the first wedding proposal in its history (that we are aware of). Owen, who is holidaying in Appledore with his family, organised the proposal to Sarah. Owen is a musician and he had composed a song to ask Sarah for her hand in marriage whilst playing his ukelele. Skipper Alan and crew member Tony were aware that the proposal would happen and a bunch of red roses, a half bottle of chilled Prosecco with two glasses were on board. Owen and Sarah came down to the slipway, Sarah totally unaware of what was going to happen on the trip over to Instow. There were no other customers, so they had the ferry to themselves. The skipper stopped the ferry in the middle of the estuary while Owen got on to one knee and popped the question. Sarah responded yes and was given the roses and Tony opened the Prosecco to toast the happy event.

We thank Owen for choosing the ferry for this very special event.

Proposal Acceptance

BLESSING OF THE FERRIES

Sunday 9 April 2017 was a glorious day and the blessing of the ferries started in Appledore. The Quay was lined with people and the Torridge Shanty Singers entertained the crowd. Misty Blue and Lizzie M drew alongside the slipway and Revd Derek Arnold performed the blessing of the two boats. The singers and passengers boarded the ferries and went over to Instow. There was a large group of people on the pier at Instow and after a few shanty songs, Revd Keith Brimacombe carried out the blessing of the ferries, the volunteers and all the passengers who will be using the ferry this season.

Thank you to Derek, Keith, the shanty singers and everyone who came along to witness the blessing of the ferries. Here’s to another excellent season.

THE 100,000TH PASSENGER BOARDS THE FERRY ON SATURDAY 8 APRIL 2017!

Rodney Cann from Bideford and his companion Alison were presented with specially commissioned ferry mugs from Bideford Pottery on a glorious day one week after the start of the ferry. From June 2011 when the ferry was put back into service the number of passengers has increased each year and we are delighted that it has become such a popular means of transport between Appledore and Instow. We have to thank all our sponsors who support the ferry financially and all our customers for continuing to use the service on such a regular basis. Roll on the 200,000th passenger!

LAUNCHING OF THE FERRIES

Following the maintenance of the ferries during the winter months - Lizzie M and Misty Blue are lifted into the Estuary ready for the training and the start of the season on Saturday 1 April.

THE FERRIES ARE NOW TWEETING

Follow the ferries' news and status on @appleinstferry. If the ferry cannot operate due to high winds a message will be put on Twitter and of course Facebook.

WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN SPONSORING THE FERRY?

The Appledore Instow Ferry is a not for profit company and has endeavoured to keep the prices as low as possible. However, we do need to cover the costs of running two boats and sponsorship is the perfect way for companies and businesses to show their support for the ferry operation and advertise their business, as you can see from the logos on the Home page. For more information please use the Contact Us page and one of us will be in touch with you.

TANDEMS AND BICYCLE TRAILERS

The fares for the ferry remain the same for another season which allows us to cover our costs as a not for profit company. The ferry is licensed to carry twelve people and two crew, which includes the skipper. The ferry is able to take buggies and bicycles but the skipper will make a decision if there are some large buggies and a number of bicycles, to balance the number of passengers, buggies and bicycles - so please be patient if you are not able to get on the first available ferry.

We have made the decision to charge £3 for tandems and if a bicycle has a trailer there will be a cost of £1.50 for the trailer.

JOHNS OF INSTOW

Johns of Instow has a cafe next door to their deli. The cafe offers gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options as well as all the wonderful pastries and cakes that they offer.

Appledore village

Appledore1-Large Appledore is a quaint fishing village where you can wander the cobbled streets and find secret gardens and interesting door hangings. It has thriving local artists and numerous art galleries and craft shops, and is well known for its Visual Arts Festival, the book festival and the carnival that are held during the year. Read More

Instow village

Instow is a pretty, unspoilt seaside village with large stretches of sandy beaches and dunes. Fishermen’s cottages nestle against shops and a good selection of pubs and restaurants. The village store and delicatessen are superb. Read More