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
11°C
Torridge Estuary
Partly Cloudy
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 17.70 km/h
-
21 May 2018
21°C
7°C
-
22 May 2018
18°C
8°C
EVENTS CALENDAR
2018
APRIL
5 Launch of ferry service
7-8 Supervets regatta
8 Blessing of ferries
MAY
JUNE
JULY
22 Bideford Water Festival
29 Instow Community on Show
AUGUST
19 Appledore Carnival
SEPTEMBER
21-29 Appledore Book Festival
OCTOBER
23 Last day of ferry service
THE FERRY SEASON HAS BEGUN
The ferry service began on Thursday 5 April with two boats running for the first ten days. The weather has been mixed this month and the temperature has ranged from very cool to very warm. We have had to cancel the ferry on a few days due to the high winds, so the first month has been a mixed one. We were, however, very lucky on Sunday 8 April when the ferries were blessed by the Revd Derek Arnold in Appledore in wonderful sunshine and the shanty singers were part of the celebrations on the slipway. In Instow Revd Keith Brimacombe blessed the ferries alongside Instow Pier and we all enjoyed the songs from the shanty singers who sat in the ferries and regaled us.
Check out the timetable so you can see the exact times when the ferries will be running; you can consult it online or see one of the printed timetables in the shops, pubs and cafes in Appledore and Instow. If you have any queries please send us an email, there is a Contact Us page on the website. You will see that certain days the ferries cannot operate, this is due to tide times or a very limited operating time of less than two hours (0930h to sunset). If the ferry cannot operate because of weather conditions a message is put on Facebook and Twitter and also on the boards at both Appledore and Instow. We try and get a message out as quickly as possible but sometimes the skippers can only make that decision one hour before the start of service.
On occasions when there is a neap tide the skipper may have to take the decision to end the session earlier than the time published. This is because there may not be enough water at the pier in Instow for the ferry to draw alongside the steps and offload passengers. The skipper will inform you if this is likely to be the case. Buses do run from both Instow and Appledore so if you do miss the last boat there is another option.
We look forward to welcoming you on board the ferries.
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
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
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SPONSORS
Click on the logo to go to the sponsor's web site.
