FREE MANCHESTER & WARRINGTON FERRY SERVICES
HULMES FREE FERRY
Ironically the canal which would have been used to transport textiles produced on Lancashire’s cotton looms that had fuelled Manchester’s boom, was later used to export the same cotton looms to India where labour costs were cheaper hence the decline of the textiles industry. The production of goods now appears to have shifted to China who are currently leading the world in exported goods.
The canal is now privately owned, there are ambitious plans include redevelopment, expansion, and an increase in shipping from 8000 containers a year to 100,000 by 2030, as part of their Atlantic Gateway project.
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues we are limiting passenger numbers to allow safe social distancing for our staff and service users.
MANCHESTER FERRY SERVICE BACKGROUND
The Hulmes free Ferry was established in 1885 by an act of parliament which made the Manchester Ship Canal owners responsible for providing a free ferry to replace a low-lying bridge that had to be demolished to allow access for tall ships up the canal. It is still operating to this day.
THELWALL FERRY
SERVICE BACKGROUND
Since January 1894, The Thelwall Ferry became a free public right of way, and still is to this day! The initial ferry was just one man and a rowing boat, but today it moves along by propeller.
Back when the traffic was made up of horse drawn carriages and most of Warrington was countryside, the canal ride used to cost One Penny, hence the name 'Thelwall's Penny Ferry'.
THE THELWALL FERRY
Farm tracks, roads and hundreds of footpaths stretching 36 miles long, were cut in half by the Manchester Ship Canal. The canal was once used to transport cattle & horses and carts across the by using a floating raft and a pulley system called the pontoon, which was operated by two men. This was due to the fact, they they could not be transported across with a small wooden boat.
Martin our fantastic knowledgeable Ferry Man, now operates the ferry and transports passengers from one side of Manchester Ship Canal, to the other.
The ferry, formerly known as Thelwalls Penny Ferry, used to be running from 6am until 10pm, however you can still enjoy a ride for 2 hours in the morning, 2 in the afternoon and 2 in the evening.
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues we are limiting passenger numbers to allow safe social distancing for our staff and service users.
DIRECTIONS TO THE FERRY JETTIES
To the Irlam Jetty:
From Eccles: Follow A57 east for approx. 3 miles, just past Boysnope golf course, turn left into the small industrial estate.
From Irlam: Follow A57 or Liverpool Road West, just past the Irlam A57/Liverpool Road roundabout turn immediately right into the small industrial estate.
In the Industrial Estate: Continue through till you reach the iron railings. There is a path (250 yards long) down the left side of the Iron Railings leading to the Irlam Jetty.
To the Flixton Jetty:
Follow Woodsend Road turning into Eddisbury Ave following the Millennium Nature Reserve Park signs.
Bare left then right at the roundabout (effectively going straight on) till you reach the car park.
A footpath leads down from the carpark, past the park entrance and the old ferryman’s house down to the jetty.
Thelwall’s Penny Ferry can be found at the end of Ferry Lane
(entry opposite the Pickering Arms in Thelwall Village)
Ferry Lane
Thelwall
Warrington
WA4 2SS
HULMES FERRY OPENING TIMES
4 day service
Friday - Monday
28/04/23 - 04/09/23
12-5pm
3 day service
Friday - Sunday
08/09/23 - 29/10/23
12-4pm
Any enquiries or for more information please get in touch:
Call: 07921 262368
Email: Laura@bilwaymarine.co.uk
THELWALL FERRY OPENING TIMES
Monday – Saturday
7am-9am
12pm-2pm
4pm-6pm
Sundays and bank Holidays
12pm-2pm
4pm – 6pm
** Due to restricted daylight hours in the winter service times will be subject to change **
Any enquiries or for more information please get in touch:
Call: 07921 262368
Email: Laura@bilwaymarine.co.uk
