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

0°C

Torridge Estuary

Mostly Clear

Humidity: 90%

Wind: 17.70 km/h

03 Jan 2019
5°C -1°C
04 Jan 2019
6°C -1°C

EVENTS CALENDAR

2019

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

21-29 Appledore Book Festival

OCTOBER

Is our ferry the fastest in Devon? Watch below.

Fast ferry on the Torridge

NEW FERRY ON ORDER.

The new ferry has now been ordered from the supplier in Dartmouth. It is being built in Portugal and will be transported to Dartmouth when complete. We don't have a delivery schedule yet, but expect the boat sometime in the new year.

EU LEADER FUNDING FOR NEW BOAT!

We need to replace our oldest boat, Misty Blue. This is the boat with which we started the modern ferry but it is getting old, increasingly costly to run and can only carry 10 passengers instead of our licensed 12. Even though passenger numbers have steadily increased year on year, we don't have enough in the kitty to purchase a new vessel. Also, since we can only run 7 months in the year and there is both a physical and licence limit to the numbers we can carry (never mind the tides and weather!), the prospect of ever having enough funds is distinctly poor! So, over the last 6 months, application has been made to North Devon Plus which administers requests for LEADER 5 EARDF funding.

On 19th October, we finally heard our grant application was approved! The LEADER fund will cover a large part of the costs of the new boat. Two very experienced skippers - Simon Fleet and Dane Stanley - are in charge of specifying and procuring the new boat which is about to be ordered from the manufacturer in Portugal. It is a Pescador 780, similar to, but larger, than our other vessel, also a Pescador. Hopefully, the new boat will arrive in time to be in service for the start of next season!

THE 2019 FERRY SEASON

As you will have read above the new season will see a new ferry and retirement of Misty Blue. The start date of the season is still to be decided but the timetables for April through to October are available on the website, so you can start planning your trips on the ferry. As and when we have the dates for the start of the season, the annual blessing of the 'fleet' and the retirement of Misty Blue and the inauguration of the new ferry, the details will be on the website.

We look forward to welcoming you on the ferries for the 2019 season.

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