15 Sep – end of British Summer Time 2026 · Sailings shown by frequency — exact times from the operator. · Representative sailings only — check the operator for today's full timetable
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Operator
Padstow Harbour Commissioners
Map – Padstow – Rock Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult, single | £3.00 |
| Child, single | £1.50 |
| Bicycle, single | £3.00 |
Card payments only, taken on board – no cash and no online booking. Every fare is single-direction: a return trip needs two single tickets, one bought on each leg. All fares in pounds sterling (GBP).
The Padstow to Rock ferry is a foot-passenger and bicycle crossing of the River Camel estuary in north Cornwall, run by Padstow Harbour Commissioners, the statutory harbour authority for the port. It links Padstow's South Quay with Rock, on the opposite bank, saving walkers and cyclists the roughly half-hour drive around the estuary via Wadebridge. There has been a ferry on this crossing since at least 1337, and it is still known locally by its older name, the Black Tor Ferry. No cars are carried; only people and bikes.
The crossing is genuinely tide-dependent, which is the single most important thing to know before travelling. The Padstow side always uses the Ferry Pontoon on South Quay, but on the Rock side the boat normally uses Rock Ferry Slipway and switches to a beach landing nearby, sometimes called Ferry Point, for a few hours around low water each day – currently roughly 13:45 to 16:05, though the exact window moves with the tide from one day to the next. Passengers are directed to whichever landing the crew is using that day, so it is worth allowing a few extra minutes to find the boat at Rock.
The ferry runs every day, all year, from about 08:00. The last sailing changes six times across the calendar, from around 17:00 in the depths of winter (when the boat also pauses for a lunch break, 13:30–14:00) up to 19:45 at the height of summer. From 15 September 2026 the last boat is 18:00 from Padstow and 17:45 from Rock. Because both the season and the tide affect the last crossing, treat any specific time as indicative rather than guaranteed, and check the board at the pontoon or call the ferry crew on the day.
Fares are paid on board by card only – there is no cash payment and no online booking. Every ticket is single-direction, so a return trip means buying two singles, one each way. An adult single is £3, a child single £1.50, and a bicycle £3. The ferry is a popular link for the South West Coast Path and the Camel Trail cycle route, and connects two of Cornwall's best-known food and beach destinations without a car.
- 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
Padstow Harbour Commissioners do not publish an exact crossing time. The estuary here is about 1.2km wide and the crossing is generally reckoned at around 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the tide and the exact landing point used.
An adult single is £3.00, a child single £1.50, and taking a bicycle costs £3.00. All fares are single-direction, so a return journey needs two tickets.
No. Padstow Harbour Commissioners take card payments only, taken on board – there is no cash option and no online booking.
It is a foot-passenger ferry and does not carry cars. Bicycles are welcome for an extra £3 single fare.
From the Ferry Pontoon on South Quay in Padstow. On the Rock side it normally uses Rock Ferry Slipway, but moves to a beach landing nearby for a few hours around low tide – follow the ferry crew's directions on the day.
It changes through the year: currently (15 September to the end of British Summer Time 2026) the last boat is 18:00 from Padstow and 17:45 from Rock. It can also be brought forward by the tide, so check the board at the pontoon or call 07773 081574 on the day.
Yes, it operates year-round, though from the end of British Summer Time to 31 March the last sailing is earlier (around 17:00 Padstow / 16:45 Rock) and the ferry pauses for a lunch break between 13:30 and 14:00.
Padstow Harbour Commissioners' ferry stops running at its published last-sailing time and does not operate after dark. A separate, privately run evening water-taxi service (not operated by the harbour) covers later crossings in season; it is a different operator and is not covered by this timetable.