The 2024 season finished on Wed 30th October. The 2025 season starts on Tue 1st April 2025. Please note CARD PAYMENT ONLY on ferry crossings. We operate daily in the year from 1st April to 31st October (unless there are adverse weather conditions - see FERRY STATUS to left of this notice). We look forward to welcoming you on board and we are hoping for a successful season in 2024 transporting locals and visitors across the estuary.
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.
Tapeley Gardens are currently closed and will re-open in March, 2024. Please check their web site for opening dates and times.
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 paying for a logo on the home page is the perfect way for companies and businesses to show their support for the ferry operation and advertise their business. The logos on the Home page lead directly to the business's own web site. For more information please use the Contact Us page and one of us will be in touch with you.
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.
Tricycles, tandems, bicycles with trailers, e-bykes and e-scooters cannot be carried. Following consultation and research the AIFL Board of Directors have made the decision not to transport electric bikes or scooters on the ferries as from Wednesday 1 May 2024. The decision has not been made lightly but based on the impact of an ebike/escooter combusting in a confined space next to a fuel source and the life raft.
*****All riders of bikes are asked to remove all luggage from their bike before they can be loaded. Riders to be responsible for loading and unloading their bikes with limited assistance from skipper and crew.
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 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 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