Hampton Ferry is a seasonal foot (and cycle) ferry across theThames inEngland. It is about 1 mile (1.6 km) upstream, west, ofHampton Court Bridge. The bridge links a busy zone of activity on both banks includingHampton Court Palace. The ferry links a large riverside park to the oldest parts of the town ofHampton, London, including its church, inn and variouslisted buildings such as Garrick House which is private apartments andGarrick's Temple to Shakespeare beside a narrow strip of sloped bank. This is known asSaint Albans Riverside, as it was owned by one of theDukes of Saint Albans, seated atHanworth House and Park, about two miles away. On the north side, this part of formerMiddlesex became outer-most London in 1965 by anAct of 1963. The towpath on the south side is for about 400 metres each way in public grassland with picnic places and beyond, for about 1 mile (1.6 km) shaded by trees, east and west.
The ferry linksHampton, on the north bank and in theLondon Borough of Richmond, withMoulsey or Molesey Hurst, the largest park ofMolesey on the south bank and inSurrey.[1][2]
The ferry is in the Molesey, Hampton and Sunbury reach (betweenMolesey andSunbury Locks). It is one of two of this reach's Thames crossings – both are ferries. These are the only crossings betweenHampton Court andWalton Bridges.
The ferry operates between March and October inclusive; every day on demand. It can be boarded opposite Hampton's oldest church which is on the north bank, and by the Molesey Heritage Marker on the south bank.[2][3]
The ferry has been operating since 1514, with the first crossings made from Hampton primarily for fishermen to fish in the then seasonally marshy and reed-laden Moulsey Hurst, which ate much further into the east/west parishes (and manors) of Molesey, but also for the hire of agricultural workers and presumably for walks and for bargemens' work/relief to the nearby inn as the grounds were public, as acommon. The towpath is on the south bank.[2][4] Its incorporation by statute makes it one of the 10oldest British companies and among the 150oldest companies in Europe.
Media related toHampton Ferry at Wikimedia Commons| Next crossing upstream | River Thames | Next crossing downstream |
| Walton Bridge (road) | Hampton Ferry | Hampton Court Bridge (road) |
51°24′43″N0°21′45″W / 51.4120°N 0.3625°W /51.4120; -0.3625
