Operator's undated timetable, April to October: nine sailings each way, 10:20-16:20 from Christchurch Quay, 10:50-17:00 from Mudeford · Representative sailings only — check the operator for today's full timetable
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Operator
Bournemouth Boating Services (Tuckton Tea Gardens)
Map – Christchurch Quay Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Christchurch Quay to Mudeford beach, adult single | £11.00 |
| Christchurch Quay to Mudeford beach, adult return | £14.00 |
| Christchurch Quay to Mudeford beach, concession single (65+ or NHS, ID required) | £10.00 |
| Christchurch Quay to Mudeford beach, concession return (65+ or NHS, ID required) | £13.00 |
| Christchurch Quay to Mudeford beach, family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) | £37.00 |
| Christchurch Quay to Wick, adult single | £6.00 |
| Christchurch Quay to Wick, adult return | £8.00 |
| Christchurch Quay to Tuckton, adult single | £9.00 |
| Christchurch Quay to Tuckton, adult return | £11.00 |
From the operator's fares sheet (a PDF made in April 2026). Fares are listed per leg for the whole Tuckton, Wick, Christchurch and Mudeford route; the rows for Christchurch are shown here. The sheet says children under 12 travel half price and under-3s go free, and that concession fares need 65+ or NHS ID. It does not say where tickets are sold or how they are paid for. It lists a family ticket for two adults and two children without saying whether it is single or return, and it prices only journeys towards Mudeford beach, not the return leg from the beach. All fares in pounds sterling (GBP).
The Christchurch Quay ferry is a river and harbour boat that takes passengers from Christchurch Quay, the town's waterfront, down Christchurch Harbour to Mudeford Sandbank. It is run by Bournemouth Boating Services, the family business based at Tuckton Tea Gardens on the River Stour, which says it has operated since 1998. Christchurch Quay is one stop on a four-stop loop: the operator's ferries run between Tuckton Tea Gardens, the Wick Ferry, Christchurch Quay and Mudeford Sandbank, from April to October.
It is easy to confuse with the Mudeford Ferry, and the two are separate businesses. The Mudeford Ferry, run by Mudeford Ferry Limited, crosses between Mudeford Quay and the sandbank and has its own page on this site. The Bournemouth Boating service described here starts at Christchurch Quay and makes a longer trip, with printed times of 30 minutes from the Quay to Mudeford and 20 minutes back. Its adult single from the Quay to Mudeford beach is £11.00.
The operator's timetable is a one-page PDF. Heading towards Mudeford, boats call at Christchurch at 10:20, 11:05, 11:50, 12:35, 13:20, 14:05, 14:50, 15:35 and 16:20, a 45-minute rhythm. Coming back, the Mudeford times run from 10:50 to 17:00. The PDF carries no validity dates, and the operator says to call to confirm operating times in bad weather, so treat the times as a guide. Its website says boats run seven days a week from April to October, gives no closing date for 2026, and publishes nothing for winter.
Fares from Christchurch Quay are £11.00 single or £14.00 return to Mudeford beach, with 65+ and NHS concessions at £10.00 and £13.00 on showing ID, and a £37.00 family ticket for two adults and two children. Children under 12 pay half and under-3s go free. A single leg to Wick is £6.00 and to Tuckton £9.00.
- Arrive at the slipway a few minutes before departure; vehicle queues build quickly in summer.
- Check the operator's notices before travelling — tides, weather and maintenance affect sailings.
- Confirm accepted payment methods: several crossings are contactless-only.
Frequently asked questions
No. The Christchurch Quay ferry is run by Bournemouth Boating Services from Tuckton and calls at Wick, Christchurch Quay and Mudeford Sandbank. The Mudeford Ferry is a separate company crossing from Mudeford Quay to the sandbank. Each has its own timetable and fares.
The operator's timetable shows Christchurch at 10:20, 11:05, 11:50, 12:35, 13:20, 14:05, 14:50, 15:35 and 16:20 on the way to Mudeford. The PDF is undated, so phone 01202 429 119 to confirm.
Mudeford times on the return table are 10:50, 11:35, 12:20, 13:05, 13:50, 14:35, 15:20, 16:05 and 17:00, reaching Christchurch 20 minutes later on the printed times.
An adult single to Mudeford beach is £11.00 and a return £14.00. Concessions for 65+ and NHS, with ID, are £10.00 single and £13.00 return. Children under 12 are half price and under-3s travel free. A family ticket for two adults and two children is £37.00.
The operator says its boats run seven days a week from April to October, and an older leaflet it links, on the local historic ferries, says daily from Easter until the end of October. It has published no closing date for 2026 and nothing for winter. Phone 01202 429 119 to check before travelling late in the season.
The printed timetable shows Christchurch at 10:20 and Mudeford at 10:50, so 30 minutes; the same boat is shown reaching Christchurch 20 minutes after leaving Mudeford. The operator does not state a crossing time itself.
Yes. The operator's ferries run between Tuckton Tea Gardens, the Wick Ferry, Christchurch Quay and Mudeford Sandbank. From Christchurch the single fare is £6.00 to Wick and £9.00 to Tuckton.
The timetable says that in inclement weather passengers should call to confirm operating times. The number on the operator's website is 01202 429 119.