Shepperton to Weybridge Ferry
The Shepperton to Weybridge Ferry is a pedestrian and cycle ferry service across the River Thames in the English county of Surrey. The ferry runs from Ferry Lane, in Shepperton, to a point a short walk from Thames Street, in Weybridge. It is situated just below Shepperton Lock on the reach above Sunbury Lock.[1][2]
The ferry provides a crossing for the Thames Path, as well as for local trips. The ferry operates from 0800 on weekdays, 0900 on Saturdays, and 1000 on Sundays. Service finishes at 1730 on all days. Operation is on request and intending passengers should ring the bell provided on each side of the river. When the ferry is not in service, the closest alternative is to cross the river downstream at Walton Bridge, a round trip distance of some 3 miles (4.8 km) on foot and slightly further by car.[1][2]
There has been a ferry at this location for over 500 years, although there was a 26 year break before 1986. There have been proposals to build a footbridge at this point, but they have not come to fruition.
In fiction, the Shepperton to Weybridge Ferry is the scene of one the encounters between the protagonist and the Martians in H. G. Wells' famous science fiction novel The War of the Worlds. A Martian is destroyed by a direct hit from an artillery shell, and its comrades use their heat rays to wreak vengeance on the fleeing crowds waiting to cross the ferry.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Shepperton and Weybridge - River Thames Passenger Ferry". Surrey County Council. http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspublications.nsf/591f7dda55aad72a80256c670041a50d/d68835ae83a4ea3a8025729f003da54c/$FILE/Shepperton_Weybridge.pdf. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Google Maps - Shepperton to Weybridge". Google, Inc. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=%2B51%C2%B0+22'+56.48%22,+-0%C2%B0+27'+24.52%22+(51.382355,+-0.456812)&daddr=Walton+Ln&hl=en&geocode=FVMIEAMdlAf5_w%3BFUcCEAMddQn5_w&mra=ls&dirflg=w&sll=51.384745,-0.441256&sspn=0.027908,0.055275&ie=UTF8&ll=51.38596,-0.44443&spn=0.027907,0.055275&t=h&z=14. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
- ↑ Wells, H.G. "Chapter 12 - What I saw of the destruction of Weybridge and Shepperton". War of the Worlds. http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds/Book_1/Chapter_12.
| Next crossing upstream | River Thames | Next crossing downstream |
| Chertsey Bridge (road) | Shepperton to Weybridge Ferry | Walton Bridge (road) |
| Next crossing upstream | Thames Path | Next crossing downstream |
Coordinates: 51°22′56″N 0°27′25″W / 51.382355°N 0.456812°W
