Brightlingsea Foot Ferry

Providing ease of access between three communities for both local people and visitors, this foot ferry is operated by the Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners. Providing an affordable and fast means of crossing the creek, the custom-built, family-friendly Brightlingsea Foot Ferry opens up opportunities to explore many attractive places nearby – a ramp can be lowered to allow access for wheelchair users and cycles, and well-behaved dogs are welcome aboard too.

Use of the ferry greatly reduces road miles – typically a round-trip by road between Brightlingsea and Point Clear is 20 miles, but takes just three minutes on the ferry. The round-trip by road to East Mersea is 40 miles, but only takes approximately nine minutes by ferry.

In addition to this daily schedule, lunch cruises, harbour tours and nature walks are also offered. The lunch cruise starts from Brightlingsea Harbour, and transports passengers along the picturesque River Colne to the quaint riverside village of Wivenhoe. Included in the price is a main meal at the Black Buoy Inn, which is steeped in history – the pub dates from at least 1712 and became a meeting place for a range of maritime folk, from sea captains and shipbuilders to smugglers and customs men. For those keen to stretch their legs, step off the ferry at Point Clear and enjoy a half- hour, 2km ramble along the St Osyth Sea wall, or follow the St Osyth/Point Clear Coastal 6km walk – either route can be topped off with a drink at the Ferryboat Inn or café on Point Clear, before returning to Brightlingsea.

You can also customise the colour, font and size of the text by highlighting it and choosing from the various options.